книги / Striving For Happiness. I Am a Part of All that I Have Met

"You're a gentleman," said Anthony decidedly. "I've heard of these young sons of aris­ tocrats spending $24 a dozen for soap. And over one hundred for clothes. You've got as much money to waste as any of them, and yet you keep to what is decent and moderate. Now I use the old Eureka - not only out of habit, but it's the purest soap made. Fifty cents is very good for a young man of your position and wealth. As I said, you're a gentleman. They say it takes three generations to make one. But it used to be so. Money can do it much sooner and easier. My money has made a gentleman of you. By hokey! It's almost made a gentleman of me. I'm nearly as disagreeable and ill-mannered as these two haughty Dutch men on each side of me. They can't sleep at night because I had bought the land between them."

"There are some things that money can't buy," remarked young Rockwall rather gloomily. "Don't say such things," said old Anthony. "I am absolutely sure that money can buy and do everything. I've read the encyclopaedia down to “Y” looking for something you can't buy with it. And I'm going to read the appendix next week. "I believe in the power of money! Tell me something money won’t buy."

"First of all, it can't help you to get into the exclusive circles of society," answered Richard.

"Oho! won't it?" roared the defender of money. "And that's what I'm going to talk to you about. That's why I asked you to come in. There's something wrong with you, boy. I've been noticing it for two weeks. Tell me."

"I've fallen in love, dad."

"Ah, what's her name?" asked Anthony. "Why don't you propose to her? She'll be very happy. You're rich and good-looking, and you're a decent boy."

"I haven't had a chance," said Richard.

"You can arrange it. Take her for a walk in the park, or walk home with her from church."

"You don't know the life of the society people, and she belongs to die pillars of the so­ ciety. Every hour and minute of her time is arranged for many days in advance. I must have that girl, dad, or I'll hate New York for the rest of my life. And I don't dare to write to her either."

"Tut!" said the old man. "Do you mean to tell me that with all the money I've got you can't get an hour or two of the girl's time for yourself?"

"It's too late now. She's going to sail for Europe the day after tomorrow and she'll stay there for two years. I'm to see her alone tomorrow evening for a few minutes. She's at Larchmont now at her aunt's. I can't go there. But I'm allowed to meet her with a cab at the Grand Central Station tomorrow evening at the 8.30 train. We'll drive down Broadway as far as Wallack's Theatre where her mother and some other people will be waiting for us in the lobby. Do you think she would listen to me during these six or seven minutes? No. And what chance would I have in the theatre or after the performance? None. No, dad, your money is helpless here. We can't buy one minute of time. If we could, the rich would live longer. There's no hope of getting a talk with Miss Lantry before she sails."

"All right, Richard, my boy," said old Anthony cheerfully. "You may go to your Club now. You say money won't buy time? Let's live and see".

Chapter II

That night came Aunt Ellen to brother Anthony and began to discuss the lovers' problems. "He told me all about it," said brother Anthony. "I told him my bank account was

at his service, but he said money couldn't help."

"Oh, Anthony," sighed Aunt Ellen, "I wish you would not think so much of money. Wealth is nothing where a true love is concerned. Love is all-powerful. If he only had spoken earlier! She could not have refused our Richard. But now I fear it is too late. He will have no opportunity to address her. All your gold cannot bring happiness to your son.

At 8 o'clock the next evening Aunt Ellen took an old ring from an old case and gave it to Richard.

"Wear it tonight, nephew," she begged, "our mother gave it to me. Good luck in love she said it brought. She asked me to give it to you when you had found the one you loved."

Young Richard took the ring and tried it on his smallest finger. But the ring was too big. He took it off and put it into his vest pocket, like all men do. And then he phoned for his cab.

At the station he met Miss Lantry.

"We mustn't keep mamma and the others waiting," said she.

"To Wallack's Theater as far as you can drive!" said Richard. So they drove off. At thirty-fourth street young Richard ordered the cabman to stop. "I've dropped a ring," he apologized. "It was my mother's and I'd hate to lose it. I won't keep you waiting long - 1 saw where it fell."

In less than a minute he was back in the cab with the ring. But within that minute a tram had stopped directly in front of the cab. The cabman tried to pass to the left, but a heavy express wagon cut him off. He tried the right but had to drive away from a furniture van. He tried to drive back but dropped his reins and gave it up.

He was surrounded and blockaded by numerous vehicles and horses on all sides. "Why don't we drive on?" said Miss Lantry impatiently. "We'll be late."

Richard stood up in the cab and looked around. He saw dozens of wagons, vans, cabs, buses and trams around his cab. The oldest New Yorker had not seen a street blockade of such a proportion.

"I'm very sorry, but it looks as if we are stuck," Richard said.

"Let me see the ring. Now that it can't be helped, I don't care. I think theatres are stupid, anyway," said Miss Lantry.

Chapter III

At 11 o'clock that night somebody knocked lightly on Anthony Rockwall's door. "Come in," shouted Anthony, who was in a red dressing-gown, reading a book of

piratical adventures.

"They're engaged, Anthony," Ellen said softly. "She has promised to marry our Richard. On their way to the theatre there was a street blockade, and it was two hours before their cab could get out of it. And oh, Brother Anthony, don't ever boast of the power of money again! A little emblem of true love - a little ring that symbolized unending and unmercenary love - was the cause of Richard's happiness. He dropped it up in the street and got out to take it up. And before they could drive on the blockade happened. He spoke to his love and got her to accept his proposal while the cab was standing. Money is rubbish compared with true love, Anthony."

"All right," said old Anthony. "I'm glad the boy has got what he wanted. I told him I wouldn't spare any money if..."

"But Brother Anthony, what good could your money have done?"

Chapter IV

The next day a person with red hands and a blue polkadot necktie, who called himself Kelly, called at Anthony Rockwall’s house, and was at once received in the library.

"Well," said Anthony, reaching for his check-book, "let's see - you had $5,000 in

cash."

"I paid out $300 more of my own," said Kelly. "I had to spend more than we had expected. I got the express wagons and cabs mostly for 5; but the trucks and two-horse teams mostly for 10. The motormen wanted 10 and loaded vans 20. Most expensive were the cops. I paid two of them 50, and the rest 20 and 25. But didn't it work beautiful,

Mr. Rockwall? And there hadn't been any rehearsal! The boys were right on time! And it all lasted two hours!"

"Thirteen hundred - there you are, Kelly," said Anthony, tearing off a check. "Your thousand for the job and the $300 you have spent out of your own money. You don't despise money, do you, Kelly?"

"Me?" said Kelly. "I can beat the man that invented poverty."

Anthony called Kelly when he was at the door. "You didn't notice anywhere in the crowd a fat boy without any clothes on with arrows and a bow, did you?" said he.

"Why, no," said Kelly mystified. "1 didn't. If he was there, perhaps the cops got him before I came there."

"I thought the little rascal wouldn't be on hand", chuckled Anthony. "Good-bye, Kelly."

Answer thefollowing questions.

1. Explain old Anthony's words: "It takes three generations to make a gentleman. But money can do it sooner and easier." Do you agree with him? Give your definition of the notion "gentleman".

2.What do you mostly rely on: luck or seized opportunity? Does it sometimes happen that we overlook our chance and then curse our fate?

3.What kind of a naked fat boy did Anthony Rockwall mean?

4.What, do you think, really helped the young people to be together: money or love?

5.How would you describe the story: instructive and deductive; or humorous and entertaining?

6.O'Henry is known to be a master of surprise endings. In this story we can see two surprise endings. What are they?

RENDERING

Render into English.

PSYCHOLOGISTS SAY...

Люди отличаются не только своей внешностью, характером и отношением к другим людям. Они отличаются своим отношением к деньгам. Отношение к день­ гам - важная характеристика личности. Есть люди бережливые, есть прижимистые, а есть жадные. Есть люди щедрые, а есть расточительные. Такие люди могут растра­ тить по мелочам целое состояние. Есть богатые люди, которые никогда не дарят по­ дарки своим близким. А есть бедные, для которых самая большая радость - дарить подарки друзьям.

Конечно, деньги - это великая сила. Они дают большую свободу и открывают большие возможности. Но в то же время деньги лишают их владельца свободы. Чем больше у человека денег, тем больше денег ему требуется. Чем больше человек зарабатавает, тем больше он тратит. Образуется порочный круг, и выхода из него нет. В результате человек не становится счастливее. Чем больше времени он тратит, чтобы заработать деньги, тем меньше времени у него остается на отдых, на чтение, на разви­ тие своей личности. Чем больше человек работает, тем меньше времени он проводит с семьей и друзьями. А для детей самым важным является общение с родителями. Де­ ти хотят того, чего нельзя купить за деньги.

Многие считают, что в наше время за деньги можно купить все. Устарело даже изречение, что здоровье нельзя купить за деньги. Хорошо оборудованные современ­ ные клиники стоят дорого, и не каждый может себе их позволить. И, несомненно, бо­ гатому мужчине легче найти девушку, которая захочет стать его женой.

Конечно, иметь деньги - это хорошо. Но все проблемы начинаются тогда, когда они становятся единственной целью в жизни. Деньги, несомненно, важны, но они должны быть лишь фундаментом для создания хорошей семьи, в которой есть лю­ бовь; для поддержания дружбы, для получения хорошего образования и для развития личности.

Но все же за деньги нельзя купить верных друзей, настоящую преданную лю­ бовь и, конечно, нельзя купить счастье.

A Quiz. Are You Able To Become Rich?

Answer the questions o f the quiz and find out whether you are able to become rich some day.

1.Are you afraid of taking responsibilities?

a)I am not afraid of taking responsibilities for myself and other people - 3;

b)I am ready to take responsibilities only for myself - 2;

c)I am afraid of taking any responsibilities - 1.

2.If others don't approve of your ideas, will you give them up?

a)yes - 1;

b)n o -3 ;

c)I'll think my ideas over again - 2.

3.If you have some problems, you will:

a)think that all the problems will pass away in due time - 2;

b)analyse the situation and try to find the best way out - 3;

c)be depressed - 1.

4.It’s better to keep your savings in:

a)currency - 1;

b)stocks - 3;

c)a bank - 2.

5.Are you a lucky person?

a)sometimes I am - 2;

b)extremely lucky - 3;

c)no - 1.

6.Do you use only reliable methods in your work?

a)yes - 1;

b)I combine them with new ones - 2;

c)I prefer non-standart methods - 3.

7.What is most important in earning a million?

a)good laws - 2;

b)personal qualities - 3;

c)favourable circumstances - 1.

8.If you earn a big sum of money, will you try to double it?

a)no - 1;

b)yes, but without any risk - 24;

c)by all means, even if it is risky - 3.

Now check up your scores.

8-13

You don’t have many chances to become rich. You lack persistence in reaching your goals. You are not ready to take reasonable risk and take decisions.

The Brahmin was happy. He opened his bag and many gold coins poured into it. When the bag was half full the magician said: "Remember: if you take too much gold it may break the bag. But when the gold falls to the ground it will take the form of stones." The Brahmin was greedy and he said: "The bag is strong. It can hold a lot of gold. Give me more!" More gold coins poured into the bag.

After a time the magician said again: "Listen, Brahmin, there is too much gold in your bag, will it not do?" Indeed, the Brahmin had so much gold in his bag that he was the richest man in India. But he was very greedy. So he said: "No, no, give me more!" At last the magician said: "The bag is full. It will do."

But the Brahmin cried out: "Please, give me a little more gold, just a little. A few more gold coins poured into the bag. Suddenly the bag broke. All the gold fell to the ground and took the form of stones.

A Wise Man And A Raja

A wise man heard that the raja liked to talk to wise people. So the man came to the capital and went right to the raja's palace. But the man's clothes were old and dirty and the raja did not want to see him. Next day the wise man asked his friend to give him new clothes and again went to the palace. This time the raja met him at the door and said that he was happy to see him. Then he took the man to a large room where they sat down to a rich dinner. At dinner the raja saw that the wise man did not eat, but put pieces of food into the pockets of his new coat. The raja was surprised. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"You see," the wise man answered, "yesterday I came in old clothes and you did not want to see me. Today I came in new clothes and you asked me to dinner. So I understand that this food is not for me, but for my new clothes and I feed them."

A Woodcutter And A Goblin

A woodcutter was cutting trees near the river. Suddenly his axe dropped out of his hand into the water. The woodcutter began to cry. He was a poor man and had no money to buy another axe. Suddenly an ugly goblin came out of the water. The woodcutter told him about his sorrow. The goblin dived into the water and came out with a gold axe.

"Is this your axe?" he asked the woodcutter.

"No, it is not," the woodcutter answered and began to cry again. The goblin dived a second time and brought a silver axe. "Is this your axe?" he asked.

"No, it is not," said the woodcutter. Then the goblin dived a third time and came back with the woodcutter's axe.

Is this your axe, then?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, it is," the woodcutter cried out happily. He took his axe and warmly thanked the goblin.

The goblin liked the woodcutter's honesty and gave him the gold and silver axes as a present.

The woodcutter came home and told his story to a neighbour. That neighbour was a greedy man. When he heard the story he took his axe and ran to the river. He threw the axe into the water and began to cry loudly.

The goblin came out of the water and asked: "What's the matter with you?" "I have dropped my axe into the water," the man said. "I am so unhappy." The goblin dived and brought a gold axe.

"Is this your axe?" he asked the man. The greedy man shouted gladly: "Yes, it is. Give it to me, quick!"

And he wanted to take the axe away from the goblin. But the goblin did not give him the gold axe. He did not give him back his own axe, either.

The Merchant And The Tinker

Once a merchant and a tinker had a quarrel. They could not agree which was better: to be rich or to be clever.

The merchant said: "Money will help a man in any trouble." The tinker said: "Money will not help a man if he is not clever."

"Listen," said the merchant, "if you can prove that you are right I shall give you a million rupees. If I can prove that I am right, you will become my slave."

"All right," said the tinker.

Then they went to the raja and told him about their quarrel. The raja was a cruel man, he often put people to death. So he decided to kill the two men at once. But the raja never put to death more than one man in one day. So he thought of a plan.

He gave the merchant a letter and said:

"Now you must go to the state of my neighbour, the king, and give him this letter." The merchant and the tinker went to the king's state and gave him the raja's letter. The

king opened the letter and read: "King, my brother, put these men to death." When the merchant heard this he fell at the king's feet and cried out: "O, king, take all my money, but do not take away my life!"

The king laughed:

"I do not want to take your money. Kings are rich".

And he ordered his soldiers to kill the two men at once. Suddenly the tinker laughed. The king was surprised.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked.

"O, king," the tinker said, "listen to me. Five days ago one of the raja's ministers who is a very wise man saw us at the palace. He told the raja: "These men must be put to death. But if you put them to death yourself, a lot of trouble will come to you and your state. Send them to your neighbour, the king, and ask him to kill them".

When the king heard this he became very angry, and said:

"Go back to your raja and tell him that soon my soldiers will attack his state. I shall fight with him and make him my slave."

The merchant and the tinker went back to the raja and told him this.

The raja was frightened. Then he again ordered to put the two men to death. When the tinker heard the raja's order he laughed. The raja was surprised.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked.

"I am laughing," the tinker answered, "because you want to put me to death but you don't know that I, and only I, can stop the king's army."

"Try to stop it then," the raja cried out. "But if you cannot do this I shall order to put you to death at once."

The tinker got upon a horse and rode towards the enemy's army. He saw the king who rode in front of his soldiers.

The tinker came up and said to him:

"You cannot go to our land before you kill me."

The king thought: "If I kill him, a lot of trouble will come to me and to my state." And he cried out:

"No, I shall not kill you. Go back to your raja and let him kill you if he likes.'" And the king ordered his soldiers to go back.

The tinker came to the raja again and said:

"I have stopped the king's army. I have also proved that it is better to be clever than to be rich. Let the merchant pay me the money."

And the merchant payed the tinker one million rupees.

A JAPANESE TALE

A Greedy Woman

Once upon a time a poor old peasant was cutting in the forest on a mountain side when he found a spring of cool water. He drank a little water from it, as it was a hot day and he was thirsty. The water was wonderfully refreshing. Then he saw his face in the water and was surprised to find that he had suddenly grown young. The wrinkles had all gone from his face, his eyes were clear, and his head which a moment ago had been bald, was covered with thick black hair. As he rose to his feet, he felt the strength of a young man in his body. In great joy the peasant ran down the mountain side to tell the news to his wife. When he ran into their little cottage, his wife could not recognize him, so changed was he from the old man he had been in the morning when she saw him last. He told his wife that he was really her husband. When she realized that a wonderful spring had changed her old husband into a young man she began to cry, because she was afraid that such a handsome young man would not love a weak old woman.

"But you must drink this wonderful water too," he cried. "We'll both be young. I can easily show you the spring. Go there at once, while I remain to guard the cottage."

An hour passed, two hours, a long time, but the woman did not return. "What is the matter with her?" he thought.

At last the man went to her. He found the spring, but his wife was not there. He loudly called her name, but received no answer. Suddenly he heard pitiful yells from under a bush. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a baby girl, crying bitterly. The poor woman in her eagerness had drunk too much water!

A RUSSIAN TALE

The Greedy Old Woman

Once upon a time there lived an Old Man and his Old Woman. One day he went to cut wood in the forest. He found an old tree, lifted his axe and began to cut the tree. The tree said to him: "Do not cut me down, muzhik, I can get you whatever you need". "Well, make me rich". "Go home. I grant that you shall have everything you wish". The Old Man came home to find himself the owner of a new house, the possessor of lots of good things and money, with enough bread stored to last for many years and so many cows, horses and sheep that it would take three days to count them. "Old Man, how did you come by all this?" asked the Old Woman. "You see, I found a tree which can fulfill any wish".

A month passed, and the Old Woman became bored with the good life. So she said to the Old Man: "We are wealthy, but what's the use of it if people do not honour us! The village headman can, if he wishes, send both you and me to work, and if he finds fault with us, he can have us flogged. Go to the tree and ask to be made village headman". The Old Man took his axe, went to the tree and got set to cut it down at its very root. "What do you want?" asked the tree. "Arrange for me to be made a village headman" "I grant that your wish shall be fulfilled"

The Old Man returned home, only to find soldiers waiting for him. "Where have you been, you old devil?" they shouted. "Go and prepare lodgings for us, and make sure they are good. Don't stand there, get busy!" And as they were shouting they kept beating the man on his back with their broad swords. So the Old Woman saw that the village headman, too, was not always honoured and she said: "It is not much good being the village headman's wife! The soldiers have beaten you. It's a different thing being a landowner: he can do whatever he likes. Go to the tree and ask it to make you a landowner and me your lady".

The Old Man took his axe, went to the tree and got set to cut it down. The tree asked him: "What do you want, Old Man?" "Make me a landowner, and my Old Woman

the landowner's lady". 'I grant that your wish shall be fulfilled". The Old Woman had lived as a landowner's wife for some time, and then she wanted to get something better. So she says to her Old Man: "What's the use of being a landowner's wife! If you were a colonel and I the colonel’s lady, it would be quite different, everybody would envy us".

Once again she sent the Old Man to the tree; he took his axe, came to the tree and got set to cut it down. "What do you want?" "Make me a colonel and my Old Woman the colonel's lady". "I grant that your wish shall be fulfilled" The old Man came back to find that he had been made a Colonel.

After a while the Old Woman said: "What is a colonel? If the general wants to, he can put you under arrest. Go to the tree and ask it to make you a general and me the general's lady". So the Old Man went to the tree and prepared to cut it down with his axe. "What do you want?" asked the tree. "Make me a general and the Old Woman the general's lady". "I grant that your wish shall be fulfilled". The Old Man returned home to find that he had been promoted to the rank of General.

After a while the Old Woman's pleasure at being the general's lady palled, and she said to the Old Man: "What is a general? If the tsar wishes, he can exile you to Siberia. Go to the tree and ask it to make you the tsar and me the tsarina". The Old Man came to the tree and got set to cut it down with his axe. "What do you want?" asked the tree. "Make me tsar and my Old Woman tsarina" "I grant that your wish shall be fulfilled". The Old Man came home to find envoys waiting for him: "The tsar has died, and you have been chosen to succeed him".

They did not reign long: the old Woman thought it was not enough to be tsarina. So she called the Old Man and said: "What is a tsar? If God wishes he can send death on you, and you will be committed to the earth. Go to the tree and ask for us to be made gods".

The Old Man went to the tree. As soon as the tree heard this crazy talk, it rustled its leaves and said in reply to the Old Man: "May you become a bear and your wife a shc-bear". Immediately the Old Man turned into a bear and the Old Woman into a she-bear, and they both ran to the forest.

AN ITALIAN TALE

Money Can Do Anything

Once upon a time there lived a young Prince whose treasury was as inexhaustible as the sea. He decided to build a palace for himselfjust opposite the King's palace, and a still more magnificent one. When the palace was finished, the Prince ordered the words "Money can do anything" carved on the gates.

Once these words caught the eye of the King as he was taking the air. The King immediately gave orders to summon the prince, who had but recently come to the city and had not yet been introduced to the court. "Congratulations", said the King. "The palace you built is a real wonder. Mine seems a humble hut beside it. Congratulations! But do tell me, was that you who ordered to make the inscription "Money can do anything"?

The youth was beginning to realise where his vanity had led him. "Your Majesty", he replied, "if you do not like the inscription, I will have it erased immediately!" "No, that is not necessary. Just explain to me the meaning of the inscription. Do you believe that with the help of your money you could kill me?" "Oh, Your Majesty, forgive me. I will have the inscription destroyed immediately! And if you do not like the palace, I will have it smashed into dust". "I told you I like it. Let it stand. But since you believe that money can do anything, prove it. I'll give you three days. Try to talk with my daughter. Marry her, if you can. Otherwise you shall be beheaded. Done?"

Despair seized the Prince. He did not eat, drink or sleep, racking his brain day and night, trying to think of a way to save his life. There was no hope of talking to the King's

daughter, who lived in a castle guarded by a hundred soldiers. On the second day the Prince sat down to write his will.

That very day his old nurse called on him. She used to nurse the Prince when he was a child, and he let her live in the palace. When she saw him so sad, she asked what was the matter. By and by he told her about his predicament. "So what?" said the old woman. "You have decided that everything is lost? Don't be silly. Leave it to me".

She immediately shuffled along to the best-known silversmith in town and told him to make a hollow silver goose a little larger than the size of a man. She said that the goose ought to be able to open and close its beak and was to be ready by the next day. "By tomorrow? You are out of your mind!" cried the silverstmith. "It has to be ready by tomorrow absolutely", and the old woman dangled a purse full of gold before him. "Take the downpayment now, and I shall give you the rest tomorrow". The silversmith gaped. "Well, that is another matter", he said. "I shall try".

On the following day the goose was ready, and it was a real beauty. The old woman said to the Prince: "Take your fiddle and get inside the goose. As soon as we are in the street, start to play". And so they set out through the city streets, the old woman pulling the silver goose by a ribbon and the Prince playing his fiddle inside the goose. People gaped at the sight. And everybody flocked to see the wonder.

Word about the silver goose reached the castle where the King's daughter lived, and she asked her father's permission to see the old woman and her goose. "Tomorrow is the deadline set for the petty boaster, and after that you will be free to go out into the street and look at the goose". But the Princess had already heard that the old woman with the goose was leaving the city on the following day. To let his daughter see it, the King had to allow the goose to be brought into the castle. This was exactly what the old woman needed.

As soon as the Princess was left alone with the silver goose, listening, enchanted, to the music which issued from its beak, the goose suddenly opened and a man jumped out of it. "Do not be afraid", he said. "I am the Prince who had to talk to you or be beheaded on your father's orders. You will save me if you say that you have talked to me".

On the following day the King summoned the Prince. "Well, has your money helped you to talk to my daughter?" "Yes, Your Majesty", replied the youth. "Do you mean to say that you have talked to her?" "You can ask her". The Princess was called and she said that the youth had been inside the silver goose which the King himself had allowed to be carried into the palace.

The King took off his crown and put it on the Prince's head. "You have not only money, but a sharp brain. So be happy, and I give you my daughter as wife".

DISCUSSION

Comment on thefollowing proverbs.

A good fortune is a great slavery.

A man without money is like a ship without sails.

A rich man is never ugly in the eyes of a girl.

A proud mind and a poor purse are ill-met.

Money is power.

Money rules the world.

Who has nothing fears nothing.

Money has no smell.

He is not poor that hasn’t much, but he that craves much.

Money often unmakes the men who make it.

Money makes the man.

Muck and money go together.