Story：The two farmers

[2021.01.13] 發表

【明報專訊】IN a poor village there were only two farmers, one named Derek, the other Robert. The village only had a small population, but it relied on the two farmers to feed all the families.

Rice had been a staple crop for more than a thousand years in the village, so it was hard for the two men to diversify into other methods of growing new crops.

''You guys need to branch out into new ways of planting crops,'' the village chief advised Derek and Robert. ''You know, all of us rely upon you to stay alive.''

In view of the imminent crisis, a spirit was sent by the divine guardians of Earth. He was entrusted with putting the two farmers to the test.

''I want you to help the one who'll harvest gains from hard work,'' one guardian ordered. The spirit came up with an idea. He appeared to the two farmers on two separate occasions, telling them that they'd be offered some magic potions which could help boost crop yields.

Derek continued working hard in the field. He didn't believe in any single word of the spirit. Instead, the spirit's words made him more attentive to disasters, since he found it uncomfortable to invoke a spirit. He grew crops in an orderly manner.

Robert was thrilled after hearing that there'd be a panacea coming for rescue. He became very slack in his work.

During the harvest, Derek had high crop yields, and Robert's crops all died. The spirit saw all this and told Derek, ''I know you're a practical man. But still, I want to offer you the magic potion.'' He gave Derek what he deserved and vanished into thin air.

Robert never knew why he had failed, as he never learnt how to follow the common path diligently during hard times.

by Ian Lam

■Food for thought

Pinning big hopes on some cure-alls can't be said to be too opportunistic. However, it's also important to keep your feet on the ground (腳踏實地). Otherwise, you'd get your heads in the clouds (不切實際). It's 2021, have you decided on your new year resolutions yet? Remember that they ought to be achievable!

■Gear up

Circle the correct answer.

(1)Derek and Robert are (farmers/spirits/guardians of Earth) .

(2) Derek's field has (high/low) crop yields.

(3) The spirit came to help the two farmers voluntarily.

(True/False/Not given)

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

diversify into (v phr) 採多種(方法)

imminent (adj) 迫在眉睫的

crop yield (n phr) 農作物產量

panacea (n) 萬靈藥