The Poor Man and the Rich Man
Introduction
Why tell "The Poor Man and the Rich Man" as a fable? Because the tale is already shaped like one. One traveller, two doors: the rich man's door stays shut, while the poor couple's swings open — and each door leads to a different fate. That is the oldest shape of storytelling: goodness is repaid, and meanness carries its own punishment. Chinese folk wisdom has a saying for every turn of this story. "知足常乐" (contentment brings joy) belongs to the poor couple, who ask only for health, bread, and happiness; "贪心不足蛇吞象" (greed that swallows an elephant) belongs to the rich man, who is granted three wishes and still cannot be satisfied; and the slammed window speaks of a proverb about the wealthy whose hearts grow hard. A fable does not lecture; it hides its lesson inside the story and lets the child find it. This retelling keeps the European setting — the roadside houses, the horse, the dusty road — but borrows the calm voice of an elder speaking by lamplight. Read it slowly, and when the rich man's wishes begin to go wrong, stop and ask: what would you wish for? There is no right answer — only a first glimpse of what your child thinks matters most.
Vocabulary from "The Poor Man and the Rich Man"
12 key words from this story with definitions and original context sentences for language learners.
A place where a traveller can stay for a short time.
借宿之处；临时住处。
"Only a night's lodging," the Lord answered.
"只求借住一宿，"主答道。
Old, worn, and in poor condition.
破旧的；寒酸的。
One was large and grand; the other was small and shabby.
一所又高又大，气派非凡；一所又矮又小，破旧寒酸。
Very surprised.
非常吃惊的。
The rich man was astonished and called to his wife.
他探身窗外，往路对面一看，顿时惊呆了。
Lasting forever, never ending.
永久的；永无穷尽的。
What should I ask for but everlasting happiness?
除了长久的福气，我还能求什么呢？
Rode a horse at full speed.
策马飞奔。
The rich man galloped down the road and soon caught up with the Lord.
富人纵马扬鞭，不多时便追上了主。
The long straps a rider holds to guide a horse.
缰绳。
Deep in thought, he let the reins hang loose, and the horse grew restless and began to prance.
他想着想着，不觉松了缰绳，马便撒起欢来。
Unwilling to spend or share money or things.
吝啬的；舍不得的。
He was too stingy to leave the good saddle behind, so he cut it free, hoisted it onto his back, and trudged on foot.
他生性吝啬，舍不得把一副好马鞍丢在路上，便割下鞍子，扛在背上，一步一步走着回去。
The unhappy feeling of wanting what someone else has.
嫉妒；眼红。
Then he remembered his wife, sitting cool and easy at home, and envy burned in his heart.
她正坐在凉快的屋里，享着清福呢。这一想，他心头火起。
Disappeared suddenly.
突然消失。
The words had barely left his lips when the saddle vanished from his back.
话一出口，鞍子便从他背上不见了。
The feeling of being annoyed or frustrated.
烦恼；气恼。
In the end he gained nothing but vexation, hard words, and the loss of his horse.
到头来，他什么也没落着，只落得一肚子气、一身麻烦、一顿数落，外加折了一匹马。
To waste something, such as money or a chance.
挥霍；糟蹋。
And this tale tells us: kindness is repaid with kindness, while greed and a sharp temper can squander every blessing.
这故事告诉我们：善有善报，知足常乐；贪心不足的人，纵有金山银山，也会被自己的脾气败得精光。
A quiet, peaceful feeling of being satisfied with what you have.
知足；满足。
The poor couple, meanwhile, lived in peace and contentment to the end of their days.
而那对穷人呢，从此安安稳稳、快快活活，一直过到白头。
Reading Together & Learning More
The Moral
Kindness is repaid, and contentment brings joy: the kind and content grow in blessings, while the greedy and stingy squander even their good luck through greed and temper.
Educational Value
Helps children value hospitality, kindness, and contentment, and see the cost of greed, stinginess, and a sharp temper; the paired "three wishes" also trains them to weigh choices carefully.
Tips for Parents
Pause at the rich man's wishes and ask your child, "If the three wishes were yours, what would you ask for?" Then compare the poor man's wishes, and feel together why it pays to think before you speak.
Talk About It
- Both the rich man and the poor man met the same traveller — one shut the door, one opened it. What do you think was really being tested: the size of the house, or the heart?
- The poor couple asked only for health, daily bread, and lasting happiness — no gold, no treasure. Is such a wish foolish, or wise?
- Every one of the rich man's wishes was ruined by his own temper. Can you explain, wish by wish, how his temper did the damage?
- If the three wishes were placed in your hands right now, what would you ask for? Would you worry about wishing wrongly?
- The story ends with the poor couple living peacefully to old age, while the rich man gains nothing. What do you think a person's true blessing really is?
