An antiques①collector was passing a small shop when he noticed a cat on the sidewalk out front， licking②milk from a saucer③. The man immediately realized the saucer was very old and valuable. He stepped into the shop with an uninterested look and asked tobuy the cat. “I’m sorry， ”the shop owner said， “but the cat is not for sale.”
“Please，”the collector urged，“I need a cat around my house to catch mice. I’ll give you 20 dollars.”
“The cat is yours.”the owner said taking the money.
“Listen，”the collector added， “I wonder if you could throw in that old saucer as well. The cat seems to like it and I’d hate to have him give it up.”
“Sorry，”the shop owner answered， “but that saucer brings me luck. Why， just this week I’ve sold 68 cats！”
① antiquen. 古物， 古董，古玩
② lickv. 舔，舐，舔吃
③ saucern. 茶托，浅碟
猫与托盘
一个古董收集者正路过一个小店。他发现店前人行道上一只猫在舔一个托盘上的牛奶。这个人立刻意识到这个托盘是个值钱的古物。他带着一种毫无兴趣的表情步入店内，要买那只猫。“对不起，”店主说，“这只猫是不卖的。”
“卖给我吧，”收集者敦促道，“我家里面需要一只猫来捉老鼠。我给你20元。”
“猫归你了。”店主接过钱说道。
“还有，”收集者补充道，“我想你是否能把那只旧盘子也额外赠送给我。猫好像很喜欢它。我不愿意看到它失去这东西。”
“对不起，”店主回答说，“但那只托盘能给我带来好运。你不知道，光这一周，我就卖掉68只猫！”
