A Norwegian folktale
Good Day, Sir! Axe Handle
A ferryman who is hard of hearing rehearses his answers before the bailiff arrives. The problem is that the bailiff asks completely different questions.
Part 1 · By the river
The ferryman stays behind
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Part 2 · Before the visit
Five prepared answers
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Part 3 · The conversation
Good day, sir!
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Check your understanding
Answer in English to check your understanding of the Norwegian story.
After reading
A rehearsed answer is little use if you have not understood the question. The conversation becomes comic because both men think they are talking about the same thing.