The Very Stubborn Man
by Josh K.
One day, in Beijing China there lived a poor family in a small house.The family was always happy. They kept each other company all the time.
One day a visitor came to the town. He didn't have a home yet so the poor family told him that he could stay with them until his own house was ready.
The visitor, whose name was Chin-Tang, could have been very grateful though if he was, he sure didn't show it. You see Chin-Tang was very stubborn. He remarked in a rough voice, "Okay, okay, I'll stay with you."
The brother, whose name was Chang, and the sister, whose name was Sui, were both against the idea of having this stubborn man stay with them, although their parents told them that it would be challenging to have Chin-Tang stay with them. It would also be a new experience.
The next morning the visitor started complaining. "These sleeping mats are too hard," was his first complaint of many during that long and challenging day. Chang and Sui were wondering why their parents let this incompatible visitor stay with them. The visitor was no better during mealtime. He complained that the tea was too hot, the soup was too cold, and that the rice was too crunchy. He even complained that the chopsticks weren't in good condition. He just got worse and worse as the day went on. This visitor just wouldn't give anyone a break. Thank goodness he was only staying for two more days.
Even so this family would not give up on this stubborn man. They made a plan to make this stubborn man stubborn no more.
Around dinnertime they only gave Chin Tang the worst food and seating. As the night went on they started treating him better and better. Overnight it seemed like the visitor had changed. I wouldn't call him pleasant or anything though at least he didn't complain about every little thing. As the day went on the visitor started acting even more polite. During mealtime that day he actually said please and thank you. The family was very pleased.
That night it was dark. The visitor could have complained though instead he actually did something to help everyone. He went over, got a candle from the table, and lit it! WOW! The family's plan had worked. They were thrilled. Now Chang and Sui were glad that their parents had let this visitor stay with them after all. The visitor went from impossible to possible. The next day everyone was very sorry that the visitor had to go. He waved good-bye and called out "Shey, Shey." (Which means thank you.) The family was sad that the visitor had to go, though in a way they were happy because they had taught the visitor so much about manners and how to act.
When the family went back inside they found a note from the visitor on Chang's sleeping mat. It read.
Dear Very Helpful Family,
Thank you so much for teaching me some manners. I must have been a big problem to you during my first day here. I apologize if I was any trouble (which I know that I was). I am really happy because I am a stubborn man no more, thanks to you. Once again, thank you and may you all live a long and happy life.
Sincerely,
Chin Tang
Everyone was very happy with the visitor. They were glad that they had let him stay with them after all. As for the visitor, he went on to live a happy life in his new home, though every once in a while would come back to visit the family again. And for all of the time that he was there he never stated another complaint again. Because of that the visitor was always welcome there too.