An Orange and a Cup of Water

An Orange and A Cup of Water

I thought I dreamt my dog Debbie barking and licking on my face. When I slowly opened my eyes, I knew that it wasn't a dream. I saw Debbie stepping on my breast and I could smell the disgusting of his saliva and feel the coolness and wet on my face. So, I got up finally, I got off my bed, I stretched myself with a yawn. I went out of my room and passing through the living room to the balcony.

It was a bright, sunny Sunday morning. I breathed in fresh air and I stretched myself again spontaneously. It made me feel relaxed when I saw the spread out far beyond the horizon with white clouds and blue sky. I looked down from my house and saw some of the old people were doing exercises; some of them were enjoying their family day and so on. Thus, I saw that the market next to our house was the square crowded with people; it seemed that they were holding a big sale. There wasn't anyone at home except me so I decided to take a walk with Debbie.

Soon, we left our building, Debbie liked to go out, and she was very excited. She jumped and shook her tail. She was a purebred Irish dog so every time when I took her out, there must be some people came here and touched her. It was not an easy thing to take her....

' Hey! Debbie! Don't run! Stop......'I cried. However, Debbie seemed could hear nothing.

' I can't chase after you! I almost run out of breath! Stop! 'I cried again. Debbie finally stopped outside the market. I stopped there either with my hands put on the knees in order to take a rest and took a deep breath.

' You naughty dog!'

I looked at the market; there were lots of people crowded here. They were trying to buy what they needed. As I remembered, I hadn't come to this market for almost six years. It had been redecorated and the surroundings had also changed a lot. Nevertheless, I was not eager to rush into it. I decided to walk around the fruit area in which they sold outside the market.

As I passed by, I stopped at the second store; it seemed that it looked juicy and fresh but there were many different kinds of fruits to choose from that made me confused.

' Good morning! Madam! What do you want?' asked the vendor.

' I would like to have some.....' I replied.

' You look strange, is that the first time you come and buy? ' asked the vendor.

' Yes! But it's got lots to choose.....' I replied.

' No problem! I will help you to choose the best of all kinds!' said the vendor.

So the vendor took a box of oranges under the table.

' Why you take the oranges under the table?' I asked him in doubt.

' Oh! Don't worry! Madam! This box is today's new arrival! There is not enough space for me to show all only!' The vendor smiled at me. ' I will choose the best for you!'

' OK! Thanks a lot!'

' Here you are! NT 200 for 5 oranges!' said the vendor. ' See you! Have a nice day!'

After that, I walked around and I went back home in exhausted. My mother opened the door for me and she had already prepared the lunch. Then, I showed her what I had bought in the market and how good the vendor served me.

' But you don't know whether it is good or not or he just gives you all the decay ones.' said mother.

' No! He says he'll give me the best ones!' I cried.

After we had finished our lunch, I took the oranges from the refrigerator. It really looked fresh and juicy. However, when I cut them into pieces.....

' Oh no!' I yelled. My mother came immediately and saw what happened on me. 'Those five oranges were all decayed inside.'

' I had told you before. Haven't you heard from the proverb from the " What The Orange Vendor Said" by Liu Ji, he mentioned that " a foul interior beneath a fair exterior".

'Let me tell you a story. There was a fruit vendor in Hangzhou. He knew well how to preserve oranges. They did not rot even after a year of storage, and looked fresh and shining when taken out to the market. They were jasper-like, as bright as gold. People would rush to buy them even if the price was ten times higher than the

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