Two young girls were proud of their beautiful hands. One put them in shining water, and the looked like diamonds dripping (滴下) from them.“What beautiful hands I have!” she said, and then
her hands for others to admire. They were very soft and white, for she had done
but wash them in clear water.
The other girl crushed some flowers in her hands, and they like perfume (香水). “What beautiful hands I have!” she said. Her hands smelled like flowers,
she’d never done anything but wash them with
every morning.
Another girl nearby didn’t show her hands. She hid them in theof her coat.
An old woman came down the road andbefore the girls. The first two
their hands and asked her whose hands were more beautiful. She
her head at them and then asked to see the hands of the
girl.
“Oh, these hands are clean,,” said the old woman,“but they are hard from
.These hands have been helping the girl’s mother and father dry the dishes, sweep the floor, water the garden,
for the baby, and show the little brother
to build blocks. These hands have been
making the house a happy home.”
the old woman brought out a ring set (镶嵌)
a diamond.“Here, wear this ring, my child. You deserve the
for the most beautiful hands that are always the most
.”