Hell, does anyone still remember this character called Affendi (阿凡提）who we all read about way back in Primary School? He always appeared in the mandarin textbooks last time as far as I recall.
Affendi is this Arabian smartpants who enjoys ridiculing the rich and righting wrongs for the downtrodden and his stories, like Aesop's Fables, always had a message at the end; though sometimes they may not be immediately apparent.
阿凡提的妻子准备去参加一个婚礼，不知穿哪一件衣服合适，她花了足有一顿饭的功夫来试衣服，但还是举棋不定，便问阿凡提：“阿凡提，您看我到底穿哪一件合适？”
“假如穿了这一件，那件会生气，如果穿了那一件，这件肯定又不高兴，最好你把它们都穿去！”阿凡提回答道。
England Translation:
One day, Affendi's wife was dressing up to attend a wedding. However she had NO idea what to wear. After much effort, she managed to narrow down to a few choices and after which, she asked Affendi, "Which do you think I should wear?"
"Well, if you have worn this one, you would surely end up not being happy with your choice and so will the other. Why don't you just wear EVERYTHING?" (Imagine Affendi in a dead pan expression)
Hilarious la, and yet still so timely and typical of women. Haha!
Here's another:
国王突然光临了阿凡提经营的茶馆，他和五位随从每个人吃了一份油煎鸡蛋饼。
“阿凡提，我们要继续赶着去打猎。”国王告诉阿凡提：“那么我们应该付给你多少钱呢？”
“陛下，请您一共付给我一千枚金币吧。”阿凡提回答。
“怎么，你们这儿鸡蛋奇缺吗？为什么这么昂贵？”国王皱了皱眉头问道。
“陛下，我们这里不是鸡蛋昂贵，而是您的身价昂贵，如果您吃了这么便宜的油煎鸡蛋饼不就掉价了吗？”阿凡提回答迫。
England Translation:
One day, the King and five of his retainers appeared at Affendi's inn for a meal which consisted a egg pancakes.
"Affendi! Look, I am filled now and will need to continue on my hunting session. How much was the meal?" asked the king.
"That would be a thousand gold pieces, Your Majesty."
"Fwah! So expensive? Your town short of eggs is it?" asked the flustered king.
"Far from it. Instead it's about you, oh King, if I have charged you any less, would it not do injustice to your esteemed position?
LOL!
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