In ancient times, a girl in the State of Qi had reached marriageable age. Two families delivered betrothal¹ gifts to propose marriage.

古时候，齐国有位姑娘，已经到了应该出嫁的年龄。有两户人家送来聘礼求婚。

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.

东边的一家，青年长得又矮又丑，可是家里很有钱;西边的一家，家里很穷苦，但是青年却长得一表人才。

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.

姑娘的父母左右盘算，还是决定不下来，就把姑娘叫到跟前，让她自己拿主意。

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

父亲看到女儿低着头，红着脸，一副羞羞答答的样子，就说:

"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."

“你要是不好意思说出口，那么你就以袒露手臂来表示:喜欢东家儿子，你就袒露右臂;喜欢西家儿子，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双臂。

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

“这是什么意思?”父母惊诧地问姑娘。

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

“我……”姑娘扭扭捏捏地说:“我想在东家吃饭，在西家住宿。”