15. Once upon a time, there was a king who loved riddles (谜语). Once a year, the king made a new riddle. He gave a prize to the winner.
There was a baker in this kingdom (王国). (1)
If he had a horse, he could sell his bread from one end of the kingdom to the other.
One year, the king made a new riddle. "Whoever wins can pick one of my strongest horses," the king said. (2)
"Make this line shorter without erasing (清除) any part of it," the king challenged.
People came and looked at the line. (3)
The dressmaker kicked dirt over the line to hide it. The farmer poured water over the line to make it disappear. (4)
Then one day the baker came with a bag of flour (面粉). "Your Majesty (亲爱的陛下)," the baker said, "I can work out the riddle." Then the baker opened his bag of flour. (5)
The line the baker made was longer than the king's line.
"Now, good king," the baker smiled, "your line is shorter."
The king laughed. "You have won the prize. I will give you a horse."
The baker was excited. Now he could sell his bread from one end of the kingdom to the other.
A. He poured out a line of flour right next to the king's line. B. The baker had almost everything he needed except a horse. C. They even put their noses to the ground and scratched their heads. D. He then drew a line down the middle of the courtyard. E. And in fact, his bread was really delicious. F. None of these worked, and the people went home disappointedly. |