By Bai Yansong

The Worth of an Education

By Bai Yansong

I n the 1980 and 90s,the television was still worth something.Besides such a television,Mr.Feng owned many famous Chinese paintings and works of calligraphy,as well as some antiques.

One day,someone rushed to him,“Mr.Feng,your home is open.It seems some thief broke in!”

“Oh,my God!My paintings!My calligraphy!My antiques!”Mr.Feng cried in panic.

At his door,however,he was stunned to find that the thief only took his television and stereo away. Not a single one of his paintings,calligraphies or antiques were missing.

Feng joked to the policemen who came,“I’ll give you 1000 yuan; please find that thief and pass on my appreciation.”The value of the electronics that the thief stole was a mere fraction of the worth of the paintings, works of calligraphy,and antiques.

After the policemen left,Mr.Feng sat down in a sofa and sighed,“Without proper education,you will certainly lose out on more than what you get.”

(From Anhui Business Daily.Translation:Li Qinchuan.)