Begging on the streets is a competitive business, it seems. But this homeless man is leading the way in innovation with a specially¹ made sign that switches between messages appealing for change.

沿街乞讨竞争也很激烈，但美国一位流浪汉却用一种独特的办法脱颖而出。他自制了一个标语翻牌，翻动标牌就能变换句子内容，以此来吸引路人掏钱包。

junction² and grins widely, hoping for some change." src="http://www.enread.com/upimg/allimg/110528/1_110528080658_1.jpg" width="500" height="281" />
The homeless man from Miami, Florida, holds the sign in front of a car stopped at a junction and grins widely, hoping for some change.
At first glance the middle-aged³ man, grinning widely to reveal missing teeth, holds the kind of shabby cardboard（硬纸板） sign used by rough-sleepers the world over.

On his board is a message intended to evoke⁴ a warm response in passers-by who will, with any luck, throw him some coins.

'At least you looked at me and we shared a smile,' it reads.

But with one quick shake he flips⁵ the display like an electronic billboard⁶ to reveal a different script, written again in black marker.

'Can I borrow the car next weekend?' it asks, hoping that the member of the public sees the funny side of the statement.

The target has still not emptied their pockets of loose change, and the sign is transformed again to reveal yet another message.

Recorded in downtown Miami, the beggar with grey stubble and dressed in a tatty⁷（不整洁的） t-shirt and dark trousers, grins as he holds the board.

For a third time, he jiggles the cardboard display to show another comical statement. 'My family has been kidnapped by ninjas（忍者） . I need money for karate⁸ lessons,' it reads.

The clip of the homeless man, who has not been identified, has become an internet hit with viewers saying he has the 'world's best begging sign'. It is believed that he carefully made it with dividers, rather appropriately, from liquor shipping⁹ boxes.

Some people pointed¹⁰ out that such an ingenious invention could earn the begger enough money for a modest home. Others suggested that he could follow the lead of homeless man Ted¹¹ Williams whose deep voice propelled（推动，驱使） him to internet stardom after being featured on Youtube.