Passage 1 

Once an honored man was having a birthday party. His sons and servants were busy welcoming guests. A thief slipped into the house. He hid himself by lying face down on a beam in the ceiling of the hall where the birthday banquet was to be held.From there, the thief could look down upon the guests and see all the gifts of silks, jade, and jewels brought in. He tried to remember where these were put so that he could steal them after the party was over. 

Later that evening, the host was looking at all his presents happily. He leaned over them with his back turned to the thief hiding on the beam. The thief was looking around the room so that he would be able to move quietly when the lights were off. As the thief hung his head over the beam it made a shadow on the floor. 

The host did not show that he had seen the shadow. He called for his servant to set a table for one guest with the best food and drink. Turning towards the beam on which the thief lay, he bowed low and said, “Will the gentleman on the roof-beam now come down to have some refreshments?” 

There was nothing else the thief could do but climb down. His host fed him well. After the thief had eaten his fill, the host gave him a bag of silver coins and begged him to make good use of them. Then the host saw the thief to the door and bid him good night. 

Ten years passed, and again the honored man held a birthday party. Many visitors came to bring him presents. The man was very old by now and could not greet all the guests. His grandson met the visitors at the door and invited them to dine with his grandfather in the evening. He then took the gifts in for the old man to see. 

Towards the end of the day a stranger came, bringing gifts of gold and jewels. He would not give his name, but asked to see the honored old man. 

The stranger was led to the old man’s room. The old man did not know this guest and asked for his name. 

The stranger smiled, “I am an honest man. I have learned to live a good life. But it was not always so. Do you remember how you once asked me to come down from the roof-beam and eat your food?”

 The host was amazed.He was even more surprised when he heard how his kindness had changed the thief into an honest man. 

21. How did the thief get into the house?