There was once a wise old woman who lived back in the hills．All the children used to come back and ask her questions．She always gave the right answers．
There was a naughty little boy among the children．One day he caught a tiny bird and held it in his cupped hands. Then he gathered his friends around. He said，“Let's trick the old woman．I'll ask her what I'm holding in my hands．Of course，she’11 answer that I have a bird. Then I'll ask her if the bird is living or dead. If she says the bird is dead，I'll open my hands and let the bird fly away．If she says the bird is alive，I'll quickly crush it and show her the dead bird．Either way，she'll be wrong．”
The children agreed that this was a clever plan. Up the hill they went to the old woman’s but．
“Granny，we have a question for you，”they all shouted．
“What's in my hands？”asked the little boy．
“Why，it must be a bird，”replied the old woman．
“But is it living or dead？”demanded the excited boy．
The old woman thought for a moment and then replied，“It is as you will，my child．”
从前，有一位博学的老妇人，她住在后山。过去所有的孩子都经常来找她问问题。她总是有求必应。
其中有一个调皮的小男孩。有一天，他抓到一只小小鸟，双手捧住，然后把伙伴们叫到身边，说：“咱们去骗一下那个老太太我要问她我手里握着什么东西。她肯定会回
答说我握的是小鸟。然后，我问她小鸟是活的还是死的。如果她说鸟是死的，我就张开手让小鸟飞走。如果她说小鸟是活的，我就马上用劲一捏，让她看到那只死鸟。不管用什么方法，她都说不对。”
孩子们都异口同声地说这是一个聪明的计划。他们爬上山，来到了老妇人的小屋。