Hello, it's time again for CRI's weekly feature, Chinese Folk Tales.
I'm Wang Lu.
In old China, when a new county magistrate took office, it was customary for him to do three good deeds to win the support of the local people.
In today's folktale, we have the story of one magistrate who handled matters a little differently.
This new court official issued the unusual order that three men be arrested a quick-tempered man, a lazy slowpoke and a con artist.
His attendants searched the whole county in vain until they came to an open-air theatre.
When the opera reached its climax, one man gave out a loud cry.
His yell shocked the person in front of him who wondered if the hothead's lance would burst.
Just then, a boy hurried up to the second man.
Gasping for breath, he said nervously, Dad, our house is on fire.
Come back quickly.
The father replied he'd go home after the opera.
The hothead saw red and knocked the slowpoke down.
If you wait till then, he roared, the fire will spread to other houses.
Lying on the ground.
The man calmly announced that whether he went home or not was solely his own decision.
The bailiffs quickly arrested the two men.
On their way back, they were stopped by a peddler who had a troublesome customer.
The customer had been tasting everything but buying nothing.
Besides, he ate two sweets but paid for only one.
Under cross-examination, the men said he was born that way.
The answer pleased the bailiffs for they could now fulfill their duty.
The magistrate received the three men in court.
But to everyone's surprise, he asked them to work for him.
The quick-tempered man was appointed as the magistrate's escort, so he would never be late.
The slowpoke was asked to take care of his two sons because he'd never lose his temper.
And the con artist was wanted because of his ability to get bargains.
A nice team, isn't it?
But a few weeks later, the magistrate was summoned by a superior.
He hurriedly set off in a carriage, escorted by the hothead.
Reaching a stream, the mule stopped.
The quick-tempered man volunteered to carry his master across.
In the middle of the stream, the magistrate promised to reward his escort.
But his words were hardly out of his mouth before he found himself in the water.
The hothead, eager to clap his hands to show his gratitude, had let go of his master.
Completely soaked, the magistrate ordered they return home.
He was then a little bit annoyed when he saw that a slowpoke was sunning himself in a courtyard.
Where are the young masters? the official asked.
Which one do you mean? slowpoke asked.
The older one.
At school.
And the younger one fallen into the well a bolt from the blue.
The magistrate was further shocked when he learned that all of this had happened many hours before.
Why didn't you tell me?
He screamed what's the hurry?
I've told you now.
The slowpoke answered.
But who was to blame?
When a dead child was fished out, the magistrate sobbed for his sweet little boy and he sent the hackler to buy a coffin.
At the shop, the hackler priced every coffin there.
He finally came to a casket that cost 20 tails.
But this wasn't a satisfactory price.
He first offered 10 tails for it.
Refused, he began bargaining, tail by tail.
That was truly unusual for the shopkeeper.
He'd never met anyone who bargained for coffins, let alone such an impulsive con artist.
Finally he got exasperated and agreed to sell it for 15.
The hackler gave him 20 tails.
While waiting for his change, he put a little coffin inside the big one.
When hackler returned, the magistrate was furious to see a big coffin and he flew into a rage when he learned that there was a small one inside.
Why did you buy two, he shouted.
The hackler said so we won't have to buy another one when the elder young master dies.
That's three blows in one day.
I hope you've enjoyed our program, Chinese Folk Tales.
I'm Wong Lu.
Thanks for listening and bye for now.
