Page:Chinese Merry Tales (1909).djvu/35

21]

NCE there was a thief who went to steal in a poor man's home. He went into the house and saw the owner of the house's face looking toward him while asleep. When he saw the thief, he suddenly turned his body and face toward the wall (inside). The thief became suspicious and said: "He might be an acquaintance of mine; when he sees me, he fears that I would be ashamed." He wanted to run away; at the same time the owner of the house called aloud to him: "Come, come, do not be afraid, do not be afraid; since my family is in poverty, I have nothing to present to you; therefore I have no 'face' to see you (meaning I am ashamed to see you)."

HERE were a deaf and a dumb, two persons. Each attempted to hide his own defects. One day the deaf met the dumb. The former requested the latter to sing a song. The dumb, knowing well the other was deaf, moved his lips by opening and shutting them. Also clapped his hands and imitated singing. The deaf cocked bis ears, pretended to be listening, and seeing the dumb man's lips moving constantly, he shouted aloud: "Excellent, excellent. I never heard you sing before, but to-day, after having heard your song, I think you singing has greatly improved."

T one time a magistrate issued an order that two pieces of pure gold were required. When the shopkeeper saw the order, he hastened to deliver the gold, and at once