奇速英语

A businessman in a small town lost all his money in business. He decided to go to another town. He took all he had and prepared to leave. But there was an iron weighing balance, which he could not take along with him. So he took it to his friend the money lender. “Friend, I am going to do my business in another town. Will you please keep this iron balance for me till I return?” asked the businessman. “Surely. Why not?” answered the money lender.

The businessman did very well in another town. Months later, he decided to go back. He returned a rich man. He went to his friend and asked him to return his weighing balance. It was a good weighing balance. So the money lender said, “I am sorry my friend. I kept your iron balance in my room, but the mice ate it up.”

The businessman didn’t believe him, but he pretended to believe him and asked, “My friend, I want to take a bath in the river. Will you send your little son with me? I want him to keep an eye on my clothes and my money bag.” The money lender agreed. The businessman took the little boy and locked him up in a place and went back to the money lender. 

He said, “I am very sorry my friend, while I was walking down to the river with your son, an eagle (鹰) flew down and carried him away.” “You are lying,” shouted the money lender angrily. “Return my son or I will take you to the judge.” “Come, let us go,” said the businessman.

After hearing the eagle story, the judge said, “Are you trying to fool me? How can an eagle fly away with a boy?” “If mice can eat an iron balance, why can’t an eagle fly away with a boy?” asked the businessman. “Explain yourself,” ordered the judge. After listening to the whole story, the judge could not help smiling. He said to the money lender, “Return him his weighing balance and he will return your son to you.”