In ancient times, a girl in the State of Qi had reached marriageable age. Two families delivered betrothal gifts to propose marriage.

　　古時候，齊國有位姑娘，已經到了應該出嫁的年齡。有兩戶人家送來聘禮求婚。

　　In the family on the east, the young man was short and ugly, but the family was rich. The family on the west was very poor, but the young man was handsome and talented.

　　東邊的一家，青年長得又矮又丑，可是家里很有錢；西邊的一家，家里很窮苦，但是青年卻長得一表人才。

　　The girl's parents considered the matter from different angles,but were unable to come to a decision. So they called the girl andlet her make her own decision.

　　姑娘的父母左右盤算，還是決定不下來，就把姑娘叫到跟前，讓她自己拿主意。

　　Seeing the daughter lower her head, blushing and shy, the father said:

　　父親看到女兒低著頭，紅著臉，一副羞羞答答的樣子，就說：

　　"If you are too shy to tell your decision, you can do it by exposing your arms. If you like the son of the family on the east, expose your right arm; if you like the son of the family on the west, expose your left arm."

　　“你要是不好意思說出口，那么你就以袒露手臂來表示：喜歡東家兒子，你就袒露右臂；喜歡西家兒子，你就袒露左臂。”

　　After pondering for some time, the girl silently exposed both her arms.

　　姑娘左思右想，才默默地袒露出左右雙臂。

　　"Now what does this mean?" her parents asked in surprise.

　　“這是什么意思？”父母驚詫地問姑娘。

　　"I…，，’the girl said bashfully. "I want to dine in the family on the east, and sleep in the family on the west."

　　“我……”姑娘扭扭捏捏地說：“我想在東家吃飯，在西家住宿。”