Simple past tense introducing direct speech.
Once, three brothers sought to discover their destinies, so they went to consult a wise man. After hearing their purpose, the wise man asked, "In the distant Great Temple of India, there is a priceless night pearl. If you were sent to retrieve it, what would you do?" The eldest brother was the first to respond: "I am a person of simple tastes; to me, the night pearl is nothing more than an ordinary bead, so I would not go." The second brother puffed out his chest and said, "No matter the obstacles or dangers, I will certainly bring the pearl back." The youngest brother, with a worried face, said, "The journey to Tianlan is long and fraught with risks; I fear I might lose my life before even reaching the pearl." After hearing their answers, the wise man smiled and said, "Your destinies are quite clear. The eldest, being indifferent to fame and fortune, is unlikely to attain great wealth; however, because of this very detachment, he will unknowingly receive much help and care from others. The second brother is determined and decisive, with a strong will that fears no hardship; his future is boundless, and he is destined for greatness. The youngest is timid and fearful, prone to hesitation; he is likely destined to struggle to achieve anything significant."
从前有三兄弟想探寻自己的命运，于是他们去向一位智者求教。智者听完他们的来意后问道：“在遥远的天竺大国寺里，有一颗价值连城的夜明珠。如果命你们去取，你们会怎么做呢？”大哥首先说道：“我生性淡泊，夜明珠在我眼中不过是一颗普通的珠子，所以我并不会前往。”二弟挺起胸膛说：“无论面临怎样的艰难险阻，我一定把夜明珠取回来。”三弟则愁眉苦脸地说道：“去天兰国路途遥远，风险重重，恐怕还没取到夜明珠，人就没命了。”听完他们的回答，智者微笑着说：“你们的命运已昭然若揭。大哥生性淡泊，不求名利，注定难以享有泼天富贵；但正因这份淡泊，他会在无形中赢得许多人的帮助与照顾。二弟性格坚定果断，意志刚强，无惧困难，预示着前途无量，大有作为。而三弟性格懦弱胆怯，遇事犹豫不决，恐怕命中注定难成大事。”