Read the passage from the old Chinese fairy-tale "The Favorite of Fortune and the Child of Ill Luck.”
But the beggar found his fortune, and at length became emperor. He returned and stood before his wife. She however, no longer recognized him: She only knew that he was the powerful emperor.
He asked her how she were getting along. "Why do you ask me how I am getting along?” she replied. "I am too far beneath your notice.” "And who may your husband be?” "My husband was a beggar. He went away to seek his fortune. That was eighteen years ago, and he has not yet returned.” "And what have you done during all of those long years?” "I have been waiting for him to return.” "Do you wish to marry someone else, seeing that he has been missing for so long?” "No, I will remain his wife until I die!”
When the emperor saw how faithful his wife was, he told her who he was, had her clothed in magnificent garments, and took her with him to his imperial palace. Which theme is most likely conveyed in this passage? The humble are the mighty. Good things come to those who wait. Time enhances beauty. Hard work results in good fortune.
Answer:
The most likely conveyed theme in the passage is Good things come to those who wait.
Explanation:
From the excerpt, a poor beggar left his wife to seek his fortune. Luckily for him, fortune smiled on him and he became an emperor.
He was so transformed that when he returned and stood before his wife, his wife could not recognize him. He found out that his wife has been faithful to him all these years despite his absence for about eighteen years and she has been awaiting his return. He also asked her if she would wish to marry someone else but she said that she would remain his wife until she died.
When the emperor saw her faithfulness and loyalty, he revealed himself to her as her husband and took her away to his palace. This shows that good things come to those who wait.
