bring up a cup of water and treated this unkempt friend coldly. In a brief
conversation, the shabby-dressed visitor indicated that he would like to borrow some
money.
The merchant, whose face was suddenly turned crimson, with annoyance and disdain,
jumped up from the chair and screamed, "Damn it! My money is not sufficient to acquire a
decent title. How can I spare you even a penny?" This commotion attracted other residents
of the hotel. The aged guest was indignant. He bitterly told the people gathering around
him about this heartbroken story.
They were intimate friends before. In their youth, he was rich, generous, and had
supported this merchant financially for over ten years. Furthermore, he provided one
hundred ounces of gold to his friend to start a business, which was very successful and
eventually accumulated lots of wealth. With some unwise investments, the visitor became
penniless, hoping his rich friend could recall their friendship and his generosity. He needed
a small loan to pay off debt and provide travel expenses for returning home. Realizing the
host's heartlessness, he wailed in despair. Looking sideways, with great impatience and
indifference, the callous merchant pretended not knowing this old friend at all. Most of the
bystanders were in amazement. They didn't even know whom should they trust.
A man called himself Mr. Young came forward. He politely bowed at and courteously
requested the merchant, "If I may ask, did the old man tell the truth?"
Surprised by such blunt inquiry from a total stranger, the merchant blushed a little and
murmured, with uneasiness, "Yes, there is a shred of accuracy. I am in a tight spot, too.
Having a serious problem on securing a more profitable government position, I have
overstretched myself financially and couldn't loan him any money at this moment."
"Of course, I understand your dilemma," Mr. Young confidently responded, "After you
obtain that position, you could easily amass plenty of money. That is much more than what
you have invested now. Am I correct? Let's say. If someone is willingly to lend you one
hundred ounces of gold with zero interest for a year, will you accept this offer and lend the
gold to this needy man?"
"Well," the merchant, who doesn't believe such a miracle could even occur, promptly and
arrogantly answered, without hesitation. "I certainly will."
"Please, draw two contracts for me. One is between you and me and the other, between
you and your friend," Mr. Young respectfully suggested and continued, "By chance, I do
have one hundred ounces of gold."
Due to his own hasty promise, the rich merchant reluctantly wrote two IOU notes, and
handed one over to Mr. Young, who delivered the gold. With great reluctance tinged with
embarrassment, the merchant asked that poor old man to sign the other note and turned
the gold over to him. Mr. Young beamed a smile and treated them to dinner. The old man
was content with the arrangement but the merchant felt into deep melancholy. After the
meal, the old man left and Mr. Young went back to his room. A few days later, he checked
out of the hotel. Another month passed. One day, the merchant unlocked his safe and, with
great amazement, discovered that he lost one hundred ounces of gold. However, there was
his IOU and a note explaining the whole event. Learning this episode, other residents were
both
amused
and
delightful
about
the
outcome.
They
despised
the
ruthless
and
callous-hearted merchant. Ashamed and aggravated, he clandestinely relocated himself
elsewhere at night.
27
MEET WITH YOUR OWN MATCH
A
man,
who
was
nicknamed
"boldie,"
was
very
muscular
and
hot-tempered.
Abandoned by his parents in his childhood, he was illiterate and didn't know his last name.
Since a certain Wong's family adopted him, for the convenience of readers, we called him
Mr. Wong. Not a hero at all, he was a notorious bully in his village. One night, returning
home, he and his sidekicks were all deeply intoxicated. By mistake, they went
conversation, the shabby-dressed visitor indicated that he would like to borrow some
money.
The merchant, whose face was suddenly turned crimson, with annoyance and disdain,
jumped up from the chair and screamed, "Damn it! My money is not sufficient to acquire a
decent title. How can I spare you even a penny?" This commotion attracted other residents
of the hotel. The aged guest was indignant. He bitterly told the people gathering around
him about this heartbroken story.
They were intimate friends before. In their youth, he was rich, generous, and had
supported this merchant financially for over ten years. Furthermore, he provided one
hundred ounces of gold to his friend to start a business, which was very successful and
eventually accumulated lots of wealth. With some unwise investments, the visitor became
penniless, hoping his rich friend could recall their friendship and his generosity. He needed
a small loan to pay off debt and provide travel expenses for returning home. Realizing the
host's heartlessness, he wailed in despair. Looking sideways, with great impatience and
indifference, the callous merchant pretended not knowing this old friend at all. Most of the
bystanders were in amazement. They didn't even know whom should they trust.
A man called himself Mr. Young came forward. He politely bowed at and courteously
requested the merchant, "If I may ask, did the old man tell the truth?"
Surprised by such blunt inquiry from a total stranger, the merchant blushed a little and
murmured, with uneasiness, "Yes, there is a shred of accuracy. I am in a tight spot, too.
Having a serious problem on securing a more profitable government position, I have
overstretched myself financially and couldn't loan him any money at this moment."
"Of course, I understand your dilemma," Mr. Young confidently responded, "After you
obtain that position, you could easily amass plenty of money. That is much more than what
you have invested now. Am I correct? Let's say. If someone is willingly to lend you one
hundred ounces of gold with zero interest for a year, will you accept this offer and lend the
gold to this needy man?"
"Well," the merchant, who doesn't believe such a miracle could even occur, promptly and
arrogantly answered, without hesitation. "I certainly will."
"Please, draw two contracts for me. One is between you and me and the other, between
you and your friend," Mr. Young respectfully suggested and continued, "By chance, I do
have one hundred ounces of gold."
Due to his own hasty promise, the rich merchant reluctantly wrote two IOU notes, and
handed one over to Mr. Young, who delivered the gold. With great reluctance tinged with
embarrassment, the merchant asked that poor old man to sign the other note and turned
the gold over to him. Mr. Young beamed a smile and treated them to dinner. The old man
was content with the arrangement but the merchant felt into deep melancholy. After the
meal, the old man left and Mr. Young went back to his room. A few days later, he checked
out of the hotel. Another month passed. One day, the merchant unlocked his safe and, with
great amazement, discovered that he lost one hundred ounces of gold. However, there was
his IOU and a note explaining the whole event. Learning this episode, other residents were
both
amused
and
delightful
about
the
outcome.
They
despised
the
ruthless
and
callous-hearted merchant. Ashamed and aggravated, he clandestinely relocated himself
elsewhere at night.
27
MEET WITH YOUR OWN MATCH
A
man,
who
was
nicknamed
"boldie,"
was
very
muscular
and
hot-tempered.
Abandoned by his parents in his childhood, he was illiterate and didn't know his last name.
Since a certain Wong's family adopted him, for the convenience of readers, we called him
Mr. Wong. Not a hero at all, he was a notorious bully in his village. One night, returning
home, he and his sidekicks were all deeply intoxicated. By mistake, they went
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