A story was once a man called Zhao Da. He worked for a farmer who was rich and mean. One day, Zhao became very ill. The farmer came to him and said, "Zhao must leave my farm. You are no use to me now that you can't worr You are just an extra mouth to feed. once to his home in Although he was so ill poor zhao managed to get back next village. He told his neighbours the story he said. "The food"I worked hard for that farmer for seven long years," so little money, he gave me was barely fit for his pigs. And he paid me have nothing left to show for my work. badly treated. His neighbours all thought he had been very put in some money to he Then one young man had an idea. "We'll all Zhao," he said. "Some of it should be used for a doctor, but some we'll ta into town to buy a parrot. "Why a parrot?" the others asked. "Trust me," said the young man"We'll teach it to say one thing, and one thing only. I promise you that in this way that farmer will learn a lesson hem never forget. A few months later, Zhao borrowed some smart clothes and went to visa the rich farmer. On his shoulder he carried a fine parrot with red and green feathers. "I've come to pay my respects to my old master," he said. The farmer was very surprised. "I must say you're looking very prosperous, Zhao. "oh, I manage to get by, thanks to my parrot here," said Zhao. "But how can a bird help you?" said the farmer. "It's a strange story. You probably wouldn't believe me," said Zhao. "oh, do tell me," said the farmer. "Tm very interested. "Well, one night I had a dream. A voice told me that in the market I would find a parrot that knows all the places where gold and silver lie buried. found the parrot and bought it for two strings of cash. I take it with me wherever I go, and now I'm no longer poor That is hard to believe," said the farmer. "I'd to see this bird at work. "Very well," said Zhao. Carrying the parrot, he took the farmer to a Ay. S place where there was a small well. "Parrot," said Zhao, "Is there silver buried here?" "Yes," said the parrot. Zhao dug at once, and brought up a small pot of silver. They walked on and came to a place where there was a hollow in the ground. "Parrot," said Zhao, "Is there gold buried here? "Yes," said the parrot. Zhao dug again and brought up a small bag of gold. By this time, all the farmer could think of was how to buy the parrot. He decided to give a great banquet at his home, and invited all his wealthy friends and relatives. At the banquet, he would ask Zhao to him the parrot. Surely Zhao would be too embarrassed to refuse in front of all these important people. about. The guests arrived, eager to see the bird they had heard so much a deal After two hours of eating and drinking, the farmer was ready to make with Zhao. "You must sell me your parrot," he said. "Name your price. Zhao hesitated before replying: "You were my master for seven years. How could I possibly refuse in front of all these people? But this parrot is a treasure. must ask your guests to suggest a reasonable price. a wonderful The guests talked among themselves and decided that such bird was worth everything the farmer owned. The farmer had to agree, and a deed of sale was made out and signed and witnessed. It said that all the farmer's property would go to Zhao in exchange for the parrot. The farmer was overoyed, and the guests congratulated him. They all followed as he picked up the pamot and set off for a likely place near a big"Parrot," said the farmer. "Is there silver buried here? "Yes," said the parrot. fine clothes dug, The farmer dug, and all his friends and relatives in their until the hole was big enough to hide a horse and cart. They found nothing. Angrily the farmer led them on until he came to the bank of a pond. "Parrot," said the farmer, "Is there gold buried here? "Yes," said the parrot. They dug,but again found nothing.and no wonder, since no one had buried anything there beforehand. "you've Then the farmer realised he'd been cheated. "Parrot!" he shouted, been telling me lies!" "Yes," said the parrot. "Parrot, you've made a fool out of me!" "Yes!" the ground. "You'll be the The farmer went red with anger and stamped on death of me, you wretched bird!" "Yes, yes, The parrot flapped its wings, flew up into the air, and cried, yes..!