There was once a stonecutter, who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.
从前有一个石匠，他对自己和自己在生活中扮演的角色都感到非常不满意。
One day, he passed a wealthy merchant's house, and through the open gateway, saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stonecutter. He became very envious, and wished that he could be like the merchant. Then he would no longer have to live the life of a mere stonecutter.
有一天，他路过一个很有钱的商人的家门口。透过敞开着的大门，他看到了许多华丽的家具和重要的客人。英语小故事“那个商人真威风啊!”石匠想。他的心里充满了嫉妒，并希望有一天自己也能成为像那个商人那样的人。
To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever dreamed of, envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. But soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants,xiaogushi8.com and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"
让他吃惊的是，突然间他真的变成了那个商人，享有的奢华与权力比想象中的要大得多，但同时也成为了没他那么富裕的人嫉妒和憎恨的对象。不久以后，一位高管坐着轿子路过此地，仆从如云，前呼后拥，还有士兵鸣锣开道。所有的人，无论多么有钱，见到了这队人马都要鞠躬致意。“那个高官真有权有势啊!”他想，“真希望我也能成为那样的高官!”
