中国成语故事 — 朝三暮四

Three for the Morning， Four for the Evening
朝三暮四（原比喻使用诈术，进行欺骗。后比喻反复无常。）

A long time ago, in a state of Song, there lived an old man. Being very fond of monkeys, he kept a large troop of monkeys. Everyone called him "Hou Gonggong" or "Grandpa Monkey."
古代宋国有个老人，非常喜欢猴子，养了一大群，大家叫他“猴公公”。

Grandpa Monkey was well attuned to the monkeys' moods. He was also very careful with his own expenses, yet he always had an abundance of food for his monkeys. The monkeys ate so well that they were all quite plump.
侯公公很熟悉猴子的脾性，他自己省吃俭用，但给猴子们准备了足够的食物，猴子个个都吃得挺胖。

As time went on, Grandpa Monkey became poorer and poorer. So he thought of reducing the food supply for his monkeys. But he was worried that the monkeys would not accept this. So he worked out a scheme.
后来，侯公公家里穷了，他就打算减少猴子的食物，可又怕猴子们不答应，于是他就想了个办法。

One day when it was time to feed the monkeys, he said to them, "From now on, when I give you nuts for your meals, I'll give three acorns in the morning and four acorns in the evening. Is that enough?"
这天喂猴子时，他先对猴子说，“从今以后，给你们分橡子吃，早上三颗，晚上四颗，够不够？”

Before he could finish the last word, the monkeys all stood up together at once and voiced their disagreement.
他的话音还没落，猴子“呼啦”一声都站了起来，表示反对。

They gathered together, shouting and screaming to raise a din. They were very angry.
他们聚在一起，又吵又闹，十分恼怒。

Grandpa Monkey paused to think a bit, before saying, "How about this? Four for the morning, and three for the evening? That should be enough, right?" When the monkeys heard that, they thought the number of acorns had been increased. They rubbed their ears and scratched their cheeks in joy. Then they dispersed themselves contentedly.
侯公公想了想，说：“这样吧！早上四颗，晚上三颗，总够了吧？” 猴子们听了，以为橡子加多了，高兴地抓耳挠腮，满意的散开了。