Wishful Thinking | 一厢情愿

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Many years ago, a farmer saw the King's daughter in the capital and fell in love with her instantly. After returning home, he missed her day and night and soon fell ill.

His friends and relatives visited him and learned the cause of his sickness. They thought it impossible to help him, as the King would never consent to his daughter marrying a poor man. The farmer sighed, "If I cannot marry the princess, I will die." His friends tried in vain to persuade him, so they decided to play a trick.

A few days later, they visited again and told him they had asked the princess to marry him, but she had refused. In truth, they had never done so. The foolish man believed them but did not give up. He declared, "If I visit the princess in person, she will agree." One can easily guess the result if he did.

Later, people used this story to describe someone who only considers their own aspiration, ignoring the objective situation and others' opinions.

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