A
Once there was a man who liked to eat mangoes (芒果). One day he decided to get the sweetest mango from the very top of the tree . Mangoes which are exposed to the sun the most are the sweetest .
So he climbed up to the top , where the branches were thin . He managed to pick up a few sweet reddish fruits , but, in an attempt to climb down , he slipped and started falling towards the ground . Fortunately , he caught the branch as he was falling and remained helplessly hanging on the tree . Then he started to call nearby villagers for help . They immediately came with a ladder and sticks , but could do little to help him .
Then after some time one calm and thoughtful person arrived —a well-known sage who lived in a simple hut nearby . People were very curious to see what he would do , as he was famous in solving many people’s problems in the area and sometimes very complicated ones . He was silent for a minute and then picked up a stone and threw it at the hanging man .
Everybody was surprised . The hanging mango lover started to shout , “What are you doing ? Are you crazy ?! Do you want me to break my neck ?” The sage was silent . Then he took another stone and threw it at the man . The man was very angry , “ If I could just come down , I would show you !”
That’s what everybody wanted —that he came down . But how ? Now everybody was tense , as to what would happen next ! Some wanted to punish the sage , but they didn’t . The sage picked another stone and threw it again at the man , even more forcefully . Now the man on the tree was enraged and developed a great determination to come down and take revenge（报仇） .
He then used all his skill and strength and somehow reached the branches which were safe to start going down . And he made it ! Everybody was amazed .
However, the rescued man found the sage gone . He stood there , realizing that the man really helped him because he induced him to try his best and save himself .
“ I should be thankful and not angry.”
21. From the story we know that the sweetest mango must be the one ________.
A. hidden in the middle of a tree B. on the tree for the longest time
C. exposed to sunlight less often D. on the very top of a tree
22. What happened after he had picked a few sweet reddish mangoes ?
A . He was climbing down quickly but carefully .
B . He shouted loudly for help but no one helped .
C. He remained hanging helplessly on the tree .
D. He slipped and fell to the ground suddenly .
23. How did the man feel when the sage hit him with a stone ?
A. He was nervous . B. He was angry.
C. He kept silent . D. He felt surprised .
24. What do you think motivated the man to climb down ?
A. Revenge B. Courage C .Assistance . D .Carefulness
