Deng and His Problems
by Kristie
Once there was a boy named Deng who lived with his parents and his four sisters. Their family lived in a little Chinese house by a brook not far from Beijing, the capital. He was about thirteen years old and was a very bright child. Deng was told in school not to talk, but he did this often anyway. He also had a bad habit of making fun of others. Because of his intelligence and quick wit, the other children didn't know how to tease him back. His parents had also threatened Deng about teasing his classmates at school and his sisters at home.
One night at dinner, as usual, Dent began to tease his sisters, each for a different reason. He teased one for not liking the wheat they had for dinner that night, and another for falling off of her cushion. He teased his two other sisters for spilling some tea on the table. His parents made up a long list of extra hard chores that Deng would have to do if he kept on teasing his sisters or anyone else. These jobs were supposed to be a consequence for Deng's mean behavior. The list included washing the walk, washing the chopsticks, and working in the rice fields with his father a mile away from their little hut. They thought that would keep Deng busy so that he would not have time to tease others for their mistakes.
The next day, when Deng's parents got a note from his teacher saying he was still pestering his classmates, his mom and dad knew he had not yet learned his lesson. That afternoon, while Deng was doing his homework, his parents had a talk. They made up their minds and told Deng before dinner that he would be doing extra chores for all of the next day. He would not be allowed to play at all. If he complained, he would receive more jobs to do. Deng was really angry and he yelled, "What about the girls?"
Deng's parents answered quickly they will have there normal jobs to complete. Deng was told that if he was not careful, he would be doing theirs as well.
After having to do all these extra jobs, Deng thought harder about his behavior and finally learned his lesson not to tease any more. After a while, Deng even became kind and loving towards his classmates in school, towards all the people in his town, and even towards his sisters at home.
Every now and then, just for old time's sake, he might tease his sisters........ just a little.
" In conversation, do not discuss the faults of others."