There was once a shepherd who had a daughter whose great beauty attracted a lot of young men from all over the country．One day，the shepherd asked his daughter，“My dear daughter，tell me，what kind of man do you want to be your husband？”His daughter said，“My dear father，my future husband can be poor but also a wealthy man．”“How could that be？Poor and rich are two opposite things！”said her father．“Dear father，a poor person also has his wealth．”said his daughter．The shepherd then announced that his daughter was ready for marriage．
One day，there were many eligible men gathered outside the shepherd's home．He came out and said，“All right，gentlemen，those who think they are eligible，please come forward and tell me your qualifications！”A few well-dressed gentlemen came forward followed by their servants and loads of gifts carried by camels．“We are rich men，we have gold and silver mines，silk，fur and red carpets．Please choose one of us．”The shepherd's daughter just smiled．
Then came five young men with some jewelry boxes．“These golden boxes contain rare jewelry．You will be the most wealthy person if you choose one of us to be your husband．”“All of you are not my idea of an ideal husband，”said the disappointed lady．One by one young men came forward but they were rejected by her．The shepherd began to worry．
Suddenly，a plainly dressed young man appeared．The shepherd asked，“Young man，you look so poor．What can you offer my daughter？”“My wealth is always with me and it is my hands，”the young man said．“I am a good tailor．I am also a good carpenter．I can make tables and chairs within an hour．Moreover，I can also put up a tent for you all！”The lady smiled．The young man continued，“I can cook too．I can cook delicious meals．However，I do not have any property，servants or jewelry．But，with my pair of hands，I do have a whole life of wealth！”“That's great！”shouted the shepherd's daughter excitedly．“You are more wealthy than any of them because you have a pair of precious hands．You are my idea of an ideal husband！”
A pair of hardworking hands can create much wealth．
Words and Expressions
- shepherd n．牧羊人，羊倌
- eligible adj．（尤指婚姻等）合适的，合意的；有资格当选的；法律上合格的
- ideal adj．理想的，完美的
- reject v．驳回；否决；拒绝，抵制
- plainly adv．简朴地，朴素地；清楚地，明显地；明确地，无误地
Read and recite the following sentence：
A pair of hardworking hands can create much wealth．
The following are some phrases and proverbs about hand，do you know their meanings？Try and match the phrases with the correct meanings：
A．a green hand
B．an old hand（at）
C．ask for a lady's hand
D．at hand
E．have a hand like a foot
F．A clean hand wants no washing．
__________ 1．身正不怕影子斜（清白的人无须为自己洗刷罪名）。
__________ 2．新手、生手
__________ 3．向某女子求婚
__________ 4．老手，内行
__________ 5．笨手笨脚
__________ 6．在手边，在附近；即将到来，即将发生
宝贵的双手
从前，有个牧羊人，他有一个非常美丽的女儿，她的美吸引了方圆几百里的年轻小伙子，他们慕名前来求婚。牧羊人问女儿：“孩子，告诉父亲，你想要什么样的人做你的丈夫呢？”女儿回答说：“亲爱的父亲，我将来的丈夫是个既贫穷又富有的人。”“这怎么可能呢？”牧羊人好奇地说，“贫穷和富有是相对立的啊！”“亲爱的父亲，”女儿说，“贫穷的人也有他自己的财富。”然后，牧羊人就发出了招婿的通告。
一天，许多有心的求婚男子云集在牧羊人居住的帐篷外面。牧羊人走出帐篷，对大家说：“好，有心来求婚的人士，请上前来说说自己的条件吧！”几个衣着华丽的小伙子首先走上前来，他们的仆人牵着满载礼品的骆驼跟在后面。“我们都是有钱人。我们拥有金山银山、丝绸、羊毛和红毡。请从我们当中选一个做你的丈夫吧。”牧羊人的女儿只是报以微笑。
接着，五位手捧珠宝盒子的小伙子走上前来。“这些金盒子里装满了稀世珍品。如果你选择我们其中之一作为你的丈夫，你将成为最富有的人。”“你们都不是我心目中的理想丈夫。”牧羊人的女儿失望地说。小伙子们一个个走上前来求婚，但都被她拒绝了。牧羊人开始着急起来。
突然，有个衣着朴素的青年走了过来。牧羊人问：“年轻人，你看上去很穷啊。那么，你有什么宝物要献给我女儿吗？”“我的财富一向随身携带，它就是我的双手，”青年说，“我是一个技艺精湛的裁缝师；我还是一个熟练的木匠，我能在一个小时内，给你们定制一套桌椅；而且，我还能给你们搭一个帐篷。”牧羊人的女儿笑了。“我还会烹饪，”青年继续说，“我能煮出最美味的饭菜。然而，我既没有什么财产，也没有仆人，更没有什么金银珠宝。但我有一双手，有了这双手，我就拥有了一生用之不尽的财富！”“太好了！”牧羊人的女儿激动地高声喊道，“你比他们中任何人都富有！因为你有一双宝贵的手，你正是我心目中的理想丈夫。”
一双勤劳的手，可以创造无限的财富。