【明報專訊】A respected official died. Before he took his last breath, he summoned his son Qi. "This is our family treasure. Your grandfather told me to open it if my heir isn't competent. Now it's time."

"Great!" Qi couldn't wait to open the gift, but he didn't pay attention to the last words from his father. "Remember, the appearance doesn't matter..." His dad passed away and Qi immediately opened it.

A wooden Buddha statue! He rushed to the antique shop. "Hey young man, the statue's lighter than it looks... Don't you want to break it and see what's inside?"

Qi replied impatiently, "I don't think so, so much bother!" He got paid and left in haste (匆忙).

The curious shop owner hired a carpenter to break it. The carpenter came back with a plain-looking iron box and a key. The owner opened it and found a little piece of paper written in very small Chinese characters. He isn't learned and could only give it to his son Fan. Fan worked very hard and dreamed of achieving great success in the imperial examinations. He was stunned once he got the piece of paper.

"It's full of exam tips!" He yelled. By perusing and reciting every paragraph, he passed the exams one after another. He found not only exam tips but also proverbs, which earned him great success in the imperial city and a reputation as Mr Clean (正人君子).

But one day a man came and accused Fan of stealing his family treasure. Of course the man was Qi. He had been leading a dissipated life before exhausting the family assets.

They were interrogated by a judge, who knew Fan's noble character. "Sorry Lord Fan. I've received Qi's accusation beforehand and searched your house." The official said.

"It seems the evidence's not on your side," the official took out a piece of paper. Qi testified arrogantly, "This is written with exam tips, which helped Fan pass all exams. Most importantly, it actually ends with the seal of my family. He should be beheaded for his wrongdoing."

"Isn't that unfair? Do you know how hard I have worked to have such a status and reputation?" Fan rebutted.

"What do you want then?" The official asked Qi, and proposed, "I guess you don't want Fan dead. He's very rich. How about we grant you all his money? Perhaps it's a very large sum!" The official said.

"Okay then."

"Accountant, how much is Fan's net worth?"

"It's... It's... zero! Not counting in his small wooden house." The accountant said.

"What? How could it be?" Qi was extremely furious.

"Of course. At the end of every month, Fan donates all his bank balance to the poor."

"Then I want him dead!"

"How dare you cheap crook speak in such manner! Men, get Qi out of the capital immediately!"

Qi was forbidden to enter the capital forever. It was through the judge's wisdom that Fan was saved.

■Food for thought

Why could Fan stay away from his misfortune at the end? Was it due to his noble character? Or mainly the judge's wisdom? Discuss it with your friends.

■Glossary

peruse (v) 細讀

dissipated (adj) 放蕩的

exhaust (v) 耗盡

behead (v) 砍掉……的頭

[Smarties' Power English 第231期]