One evening, it was raining and the wind was blowing hard. An old couple came to an inn and prepared to put up for the night there. A young man received them with open arms, but said "I'm sorry! Our guest rooms here are all full and the inns nearby are all full, too, for there will be an important meeting to be held here tomorrow."

 

Hearing the young man's words, the old couple felt very disappointed, and turned around to leave.

 

Just as they were leaving, the young man came up to them and stopped them: "Madam and sir, if you don't mind, you can sleep in my bedroom for a night……."

 

The next evening, the old couple took out lots of money to give it to the young man, but he refused to take it. 

 

"No！You needn't pay me any money, for I only lend my room to you." said the young man with a smile on his face.

 

"You're great, young man! It's very kind of you. Maybe one day, I'll build a hotel for you!" said the old man gratefully.

 

With these words, the old couple left.

 

Gazing at their receding¹ figures, the young man only laughed and went on working.

 

Several years later, the young man suddenly received a letter from the old couple, inviting² him to go to Manhattan.

 

The young man met the old couple in front of a luxury hotel.

 

"Do you still remember what I said to you several years ago? Look! This is the hotel that I built for you!" said the old man.

 

Soon, the young man became the manager of the hotel. 

点击收听单词发音