Once there lived a king in a small country. Every summer, the king went to his palace near a forest and then 1 to his palace in the city center in autumn.
One afternoon the king went swimming in a river in the forest. He didn't tell anyone else where he had gone, so he was very happy 2 the peace and quietness as he swam. 3, he heard a loud noise. Looking around, he saw a big bear coming at him. The king was very 4. He jumped out of the water and ran away at once. He ran and ran 5 he was completely lost. Finally, being hungry and tired, he saw an old house in the forest. He knocked on the door and an old farmer 6 it. "I'm your king," he said to the old man. "I'm hungry. Bring me something to eat quickly!"
The old man lived a poor life and his 7 was not good enough for the king. He had only four eggs, but since the king was so hungry, the farmer 8 the simple food and gave it to the king. The king ate the eggs and felt much better. "Thank you, good man," the king said, "How much must I pay you 9 them?"
"$19. "
"How 10 they are! Are eggs rare (稀罕的) here?"
"No," answered the old farmer, "but kings are!"