【大纪元6月11日讯】
从前有一群住在河边的姑娘，每晚都聚在一起，织布为生。不过，每人都要自备灯火。
其中有个贫家姑娘，没法自备灯火。因此，其他的姑娘便不大高兴，并私底下商议说：“她既然没有灯火，我们为什么要和她分享灯光呢？”于是，她们告诉贫家女她们不欢迎她。
贫家女临走前对她们说：“我因为家贫，才没法自备灯火，但是，我每晚都早点来，打扫地方及打点一切，你们才可这般舒适地工作。灯光反正已照遍整间房子，并没有带给你们任何不便。我认为自己已尽了本分，为什么你们仍要排斥我呢？”
其他的姑娘听了，心里过意不去，决定让她留下来。
The Poor Maiden
Once there were some maidens who lived on the riverbank. Every night they would gather together and weave for their living. They had to bring their own lamps.
Among them was a poor maiden who could not afford a lamp. The other maidens were not happy. They whispered to each other, “She hasn’t got her own lamp. Why should we share ours with her?”
They told her that she was not welcome in their company.
Before she left, the poor maiden said to them, “I am poor and cannot afford a lamp. But I come here early every evening to sweep the floors and get things ready for you. That is why you can all work in comfort. The whole room is lit up anyway. You are not bothered at all. I think I’ve done my share of the work. Why are you excluding me?”
After listening to her reasoning, the other maidens felt sorry and decided to let her stay.
转自：《翀仔寓言网》@
(http://www.dajiyuan.com)
