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Three
chestnuts or four
A monkey-trainer in the state of Sung was fond of monkeys and
kept a great many of them. He was able to understand them
and they understand him too. Indeed, he used to save some of
his family's food for them. But a time came when there was
not much food left at home, and he wanted to cut down the
monkeys' rations.
He feared, however, they might not agree to this, and
decided to deceive them.
I'll
give you threee chestnuts each morning and four each
evening, he said. " Will that be enough ? "
All
the monkeys rose up to express their anger.
"
Well, what about four in the morning and three in the
evening :" he asked.
Then
the monkeys squatted down again, feeling quite satisted.
|
rations |
When there is a shortage of
something, your ration of it is the amount that you
are allowed to have. |
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