The Thief and the Innkeeper

英语自学网

The Thief and the Innkeeper
    A THIEF hired a room in a tavern and stayed a while in the hope
    of stealing something which should enable him to pay his
    reckoning.  When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the
    Innkeeper dressed in a new and handsome coat and sitting before
    his door.  The Thief sat down beside him and talked with him.  As
    the conversation began to flag, the Thief yawned terribly and at
    the same time howled like a wolf.  The Innkeeper said, "Why do
    you howl so fearfully?'  "I will tell you," said the Thief, "but
    first let me ask you to hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to
    pieces.  I know not, sir, when I got this habit of yawning, nor
    whether these attacks of howling were inflicted on me as a
    judgment for my crimes, or for any other cause; but this I do
    know, that when I yawn for the third time, I actually turn into a
    wolf and attack men."  With this speech he commenced a second fit
    of yawning and again howled like a wolf, as he had at first.  The
    Innkeeper.  hearing his tale and believing what he said, became
    greatly alarmed and, rising from his seat, attempted to run away.
    The Thief laid hold of his coat and entreated him to stop,
    saying, "Pray wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear
    them to pieces in my fury, when I turn into a wolf."  At the same
    moment he yawned the third time and set up a terrible howl.  The
    Innkeeper, frightened lest he should be attacked, left his new
    coat in the Thief's hand and ran as fast as he could into the inn
    for safety.  The Thief made off with the coat and did not return
    again to the inn.  
    Every tale is not to be believed.