The Broom of the Temple故事

英语自学网

The Broom of the Temple故事
    THE city of Gakwak being about to lose its character of capital of
    the province of Ukwuk, the Wampog issued a proclamation convening
    all the male residents in council in the Temple of Ul to devise
    means of defence.  The first speaker thought the best policy would
    be to offer a fried jackass to the gods.  The second suggested a
    public procession, headed by the Wampog himself, bearing the Holy
    Poker on a cushion of cloth-of-brass.  Another thought that a
    scarlet mole should be buried alive in the public park and a
    suitable incantation chanted over the remains.  The advice of the
    fourth was that the columns of the capitol be rubbed with oil of
    dog by a person having a moustache on the calf of his leg.  When
    all the others had spoken an Aged Man rose and said:
    "High and mighty Wampog and fellow-citizens, I have listened
    attentively to all the plans proposed.  All seem wise, and I do not
    suffer myself to doubt that any one of them would be efficacious.  
    Nevertheless, I cannot help thinking that if we would put an
    improved breed of polliwogs in our drinking water, construct
    shallower roadways, groom the street cows, offer the stranger
    within our gates a free choice between the poniard and the potion,
    and relinquish our private system of morals, the other measures of
    public safety would be needless."
    The Aged Man was about to speak further, but the meeting informally
    adjourned in order to sweep the floor of the temple - for the men
    of Gakwak are the tidiest housewives in all that province.  The
    last speaker was the broom.