Two old beggars (乞丐) were sitting on a busy street corner of a big city. They watched1as a lot of people walked by without looking at them. Sometimes, a kind-hearted woman or a small child would2a few coins in the hats in front of them.
Today was not a3day for begging. The men were able to4enough for a big meal. As it was getting dark, they started to5their things.
Just as they were getting ready to leave, they6a man walking toward them. He was a7man. They could tell that from his fine clothes. The first beggar said to the second with8, "He's coming our way!" The man stopped,9into his pocket and took something out. What looked like a piece of hard10, wrapped (包裹) in white paper, hit each of their waiting hats. The rich man turned and11his way.
"He could have easily left us a few12or a bill, but he laughed at us with a piece of rock candy," said the first beggar. He looked at the offering13. "There's no way we can14this — we have no teeth." With these words, he picked up the thing and threw it away. Then he collected his things and15.
The second beggar wanted to do the same,16a second thought made him change his17."I haven't had anything like this for ages," he thought. "How18of that man to offer me something so sweet!" With that, he opened the white paper. To his19, there was no hard rock candy inside.20, a shiny white pearl (珍珠) worth thousands of dollars fell into his hand.
