One day， an old beggar went to the village. He knocked at the door of a rich man to beg for food.
　　This was a big house and at the side was built a granary with a big padlock.
　　The owner of the house was a miser and he was known for never helping anyone.
　　The beggar was aware of his reputation but still pleaded. “Will you give me a bit of butter or milk？”
　　The miser said impatiently， “No！ Go away at once！”
　　“Perhaps you can sweep out for me a bit of grain or beans.” The hungry beggar continued. The miser said， “There isn’t anything in my house！”
　　The beggar insisted. “How about a little bit of bread？” The miser said， “Go away！ I don’t have bread！” Then， the beggar said， “How about some water？ I am thirsty.” The miser answered， “I don’t have water.”
　　The beggar then said sadly to him， “My friend， why are you here？You should go to some kind-hearted folk to beg for food because you are poorer than anybody else.”
　　一天，一个老乞丐来到一个村子里。他敲开了一个富人家的门，想向他讨点儿吃的。
　　这是一个大房子，旁边有一个很大的粮仓，粮仓门上挂着一把大铁锁。
　　可是，这户人家的主人是个出了名的吝啬鬼，他从来不肯帮助别人。
　　乞丐也知道这个吝啬鬼的狼藉名声，但还是乞求他：“您能不能给我一点黄油或牛奶？”
　　吝啬鬼不耐烦地说：“不行！快给我滚开！”
　　饥饿的乞丐继续乞求道：“或许，您能给我找出一把麦子或黄豆。”吝啬鬼说：“家里什么也没有！”
　　乞丐坚持着：“那能不能给我一小块面包？”吝啬鬼说道：“走开！我没有面包！”乞丐继续说道：“那给我一口水喝吧，我口渴。”吝啬鬼回答道：“我没有水。”
　　乞丐悲哀地对他说：“我的朋友，那你还待在这里干什么？你应该去找一些善良的人讨些饭吃，因为你比谁都穷！”
　　【Notes】
　　①granary [?ɡr?n?ri] n. 谷仓，谷物仓
　　②padlock [?p?dl?k] n. 挂锁
　　③miser [?ma?z?（r）] n. 守财奴，吝啬鬼
　　④reputation [?repju?te??n] n. 好名声，名誉
　　⑤plead [pli?d] v. 恳求，辩护
　　⑥impatiently [?m?pe??ntli] adv. 不耐煩地，急躁地