There was once a wise old lady who lived on a hill. All the children used to go and ask her questions. She always gave them1answers.
There was a little boy among the children. One day he caught a little bird and held it in his hands without anybody seeing it. Suddenly he had an idea and asked his friends to2.
"Let's3the old lady," he said, "I'll ask her what I'm holding in my hands. Of course, she`ll answer that I have a bird. Then I'll ask her if the bird is alive or dead. If she says the bird is dead, then I'll4my hands and let the bird fly away. If she says the bird is alive, I'll quickly5it and show her the dead bird. Either way, she'll be6."
The children agreed this was a clever plan. So7the hill they all went to the lady's house.
"Granny, we have a8for you," they all shouted.
"What's in my hands?" the little boy asked
"Well, it must be a bird," the old lady replied
"But is it alive or dead?" the boy asked9.
All the boys10her answer and got ready to laugh at her The old lady thought for a moment and then replied, "It's up to you, my child. If you're kind enough, it'll be alive."
