On a winter morning, a little boy of 10 years old or so went to a phone supermarket to make a telephone call. Clearly, he changed his tone (腔调) of voice while speaking over the phone. When all this was happening, the phone supermarket owner watched and listened with great interest to the conversation that followed:
“Madam, I am a poor boy. Can you give me a job cutting grass on your lawn (草坪)?” the little boy asked.
“Sorry, I already have someone to cut my lawn,” the woman at the other end of the phone line answered.
“Madam, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now.”
“The person who is now cutting my lawn satisfies me a lot. He is doing a good job.”
“Madam, I’ll even sweep your curb (清扫路边), so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach, Florida.”
“No, thank you.”
Instead of getting angry, the little boy smiled and put back the receiver (话筒) gently. The supermarket owner, who was listening to the conversation, walked over to the boy and said, “Soon, I like your manner and I would like to offer you a job.”
“No, thanks. But I will remember your offer.”
“But you were asking for a job so sincerely and seriously when you were talking to the lady over the phone.”
“No sir, I was just checking how well or badly I’ve done the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!” the little boy said.
【小题1】Did the boy really need to ask for a job?【小题2】Why did the boy change his tone on the phone?
【小题3】What did the boy offer to do for the woman?
【小题4】Do you think the boy should check in that way how well or badly he has done the job? Why or why not?
