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Circle Round Stories, 'Poor Rich' | Ep. 162 (1)

'Poor Rich' | Ep. 162 (1)

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, there was a land full of lush and fertile fields.

And a great deal of those lush and fertile fields were owned by a landlord. A very rich landlord who hired hundreds of local villagers to work his land.

The landlord was every bit as pompous as he was prosperous. His snobbery was deeper than his pockets – and given the fortune he owned, those pockets were very deep.

LANDLORD: Uch! Look at those villagers who work my land! With their shabby clothing and ramshackle houses! I should thank my lucky stars I wasn't born a mere peasant like they were!

NARRATOR: The landlord was so disdainful of the villagers that he never talked to them. He never even went near them! He stayed far, far away, doing whatever it is that wealthy landlords do all day.

Meanwhile, down in the lush and fertile fields, the villagers had no shortage of curiosity about their boss. Naturally, they had never met him, though some claimed to have caught a glimpse.

VILLAGER 1: I saw the landlord when I was carrying a sack of vegetables to his cellar! He was up in his mansion, sitting at a great big desk in the great big window of a great big study! I'm pretty sure he was counting a great big chest full of gold coins!

VILLAGER 2: Well, when I saw the landlord I was walking to the well to get a drink of water! I peeked through the garden wall and there he was! Lounging beneath a cherry tree and eating oysters and caviar off a silver platter!

VILLAGER 3: Well, when I saw the landlord, he was on the grounds behind his mansion! He had this snooty smile on his face as he galloped up and down the hills on a great big horse!

VILLAGER 1: A great big high horse, you mean! (beat) It's unbelievable how snobbish that man is! Wanting nothing to do with us villagers! And so greedy, too!

NARRATOR: As the villagers chatted on, one of them did not join in the conversation. He was perhaps the cleverest villager of the bunch, but he was also the poorest. His name was Rich.

VILLAGER 1: You've been awfully quiet, Rich! Have you no landlord sightings to report?

RICH: Actually…

NARRATOR: Rich shrugged his shoulders.

RICH: …I haven't. Not yet, anyway.

VILLAGER 2: Well, he's an elusive creature, that landlord is!

VILLAGER 3: Goodness knows he stays as far away from us “mere peasants” as possible!

VILLAGER 1: I'd hand over my prize cow to any villager who could finagle their way into the landlord's mansion and sit down with him for a meal!

VILLAGER 2: Oh yeah? Well I'd bet my goat that none of us can!

VILLAGER 3: I'd bet my donkey!

VILLAGER 1: And I'd add in my whole flock of chickens, 'cause it's never going to happen!

VILLAGER 1: / VILLAGER 2: / VILLAGER 3: (crosstalk) No, never! Impossible! The landlord can't bear the sight of us! He doesn't even want to come near us! Invite us to lunch??? No way!

NARRATOR: On the outside, Rich remained silent and still. But on the inside, his mind was whirling and spinning. At last, the clever fellow spoke up.

RICH: You know… I'll bet I could do it.

VILLAGER 1: Come again! ?

VILLAGER 2: Are you serious?! ?

VILLAGER 3: Are you saying that you could actually…

RICH: …Actually finagle my way into the landlord's mansion, and sit down with him for a meal? Yes! That's precisely what I'm saying.

NARRATOR: The villagers were silent for a moment. And then…

VILLAGER 1: / VILLAGER 2: / VILLAGER 3: (laughter)

NARRATOR: …they doubled up with laughter.

VILLAGER 1: (laughing) Oh, come now, Rich!

VILLAGER 2: (laughing) You honestly think you could do lunch with the landlord? !

VILLAGER 3: (laughing) In his fancy-shmancy mansion?! ?

VILLAGER 1: (laughing) The moment he sees you, he'll order his servants to throw you out!

VILLAGER 2: (laughing) You'll lose your job!

VILLAGER 3: (laughing) And lose your lunch! Literally!

RICH: Fine! Go ahead. Laugh! But you won't be laughing once I waltz home with your cow. And your goat. And your donkey. And your flock of chickens! No, you won't be laughing then!

VILLAGER 1: (sobering up) Hold on a minute.

VILLAGER 2: (sobering up) You're being serious, aren't you?

RICH: Serious as can be!

VILLAGER 3: But what if you don't have lunch with the landlord…?

RICH: If I don't have lunch with the landlord, then I will give you everything I own! It isn't much, but it will be yours.

NARRATOR: The villagers exchanged a look, and a shrug, and then…?

VILLAGER 1: Alright, Rich!

VILLAGER 2: You have yourself a deal!

VILLAGER 3: But you'd better get your stuff ready.

VILLAGER 1: Because when the landlord's servants throw you out…

VILLAGER 2: …all of it will be ours!

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: What do you think will happen next?

Will poor Rich find a clever way to dine with the landlord?

We'll find out after a quick break.

[theme music out]

[BREAK]

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Sheir. Today our story is called “Poor Rich.”

[theme music out]

NARRATOR: Before the break, a clever but poor man named Rich took his fellow villagers up on a bet. If he could finagle his way into the landlord's house… and have lunch with him… he would get their cow, goat, donkey and chickens. If he failed, he must give them everything he owned.

So the following day, an hour before lunchtime, Rich strolled over to the landlord's palatial mansion and rang the bell.

[SOT: fancy doorbell, fancy door opens]

BUTLER: Yes? How may I - (stops short as he actually sees who's at the door)

NARRATOR: The landlord's butler stopped short when he saw the poor man standing before him, dressed in rags.

BUTLER: You must leave at once, sir! The landlord wants nothing to do with you villagers!

RICH: I understand that. But will you please tell the landlord that I have a very pressing question for him? (beat) It involves…

NARRATOR: Rich looked both ways, then leaned in closer.

RICH: …gold!

BUTLER: Gold, you say…? Well goodness knows the landlord is very interested in gold! But why don't you just tell me your question, and I'll pass it on?

RICH: Oh, but this question is for the landlord's ears alone. Trust me! He'll want to hear this!

NARRATOR: The butler bit his lip and twiddled his fingers.

BUTLER: Ohhhh… alright. I'll tell the landlord you have a pressing question about gold. Wait here!

NARRATOR: The butler scurried over to the landlord, who was sitting at a great big desk in the great big window of a great big study, counting a great big chest full of gold coins.

LANDLORD: [SOT: coins drop as he counts] 7,844… 7,845… 7,846…

BUTLER: My lord!

LANDLORD: [SOT: coins drop as he counts] 7,848…

BUTLER: My lord…?

LANDLORD: (continuing) …or was it 7,847…? Oh, look what you made me do! I lost count!

BUTLER: I'm sorry, my lord. But I come bearing a… message.

LANDLORD: I hope it's an important message! You know how much I love counting my gold coins! Almost as much as I love lounging beneath a cherry tree and eating oysters and caviar off a silver platter! And galloping up and down the hills on my great big horse!

BUTLER: I know that, my lord. But this message… it involves a question. About… gold!

NARRATOR: At the mere mention of the word “gold,” the landlord's ears perked up.

LANDLORD: Gold?!? Why didn't you say so? Tell me more!

BUTLER: Well, my lord. A man is here with a pressing question about gold. He requests that you see him.

NARRATOR: The landlord's mind was racing. A “pressing question”? About “gold”? Perhaps this man, whoever he was, knew some way the landlord could get more gold! And get even richer!

LANDLORD: Very well then. I'll hear this fellow out. Send him in.

BUTLER: Yes, sir.

NARRATOR: When the butler ushered Rich into the great big study, the landlord wrinkled his nose.

LANDLORD: Oh! I didn't realize you were a peasant! What pressing question about gold could a peasant possibly have for a wealthy man like me?

RICH: With all due respect, sir. My question is for your ears only. May I have the honor of speaking with you alone?

NARRATOR: The landlord felt a rush of annoyance. But he also felt a rush of curiosity. He waved his hand and dismissed the butler from the room.

Once Rich and the landlord were all alone, the clever villager took a deep breath.

RICH: Good sir, I truly appreciate you seeing me. Because for weeks now I've been wanting to ask you… (carefully as he continues his plan) What would you pay for a piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin?

NARRATOR: The landlord blinked his eyes. Had he heard right? A piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin? The way pumpkins grew in his lush and fertile fields, “the largest pumpkin” could be the size of a pony!

LANDLORD: Why do you ask me this question, peasant?

NARRATOR: Rich arched his eyebrows in a mysterious way.

RICH: (mysterious) Oh… I have my reasons.

NARRATOR: Now the landlord was more curious than ever! Had this bedraggled peasant stumbled upon some buried treasure? Did he actually have a piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin? And was it for sale? If so, surely the landlord could talk him down to a reasonable price. After all, how clever could a mere peasant possibly be?

LANDLORD: Listen… friend. It isn't every day that you find a piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin! In fact it isn't any day that you find such a thing! So why are you asking me this question?

NARRATOR: Rich slumped his shoulders.

RICH: This was what I feared would happen. You won't give me an answer so I'll have to go consult someone else. (beat) Now if you'll excuse me, I must go home. My dear mother will have lunch waiting for me.

NARRATOR: Now the landlord was burning with curiosity. And with desire – desire for this mysterious, pumpkin-sized piece of gold! Surely he couldn't let this peasant go now!

LANDLORD: (over-the-top forced nice-ness) Friend! My dear, dear friend! Why hurry home for lunch when you can join me? Here at my mansion?

RICH: Join you…? For lunch…? Here at your mansion…?

LANDLORD: But of course! I'll have my chefs prepare the finest dishes, and serve the finest wine! A guest like you deserves no less! Now come! Join me in my dining room!

NARRATOR: Before Rich knew it, he was sitting at one end of the landlord's gleaming mahogany table in the dining room, feasting on the most delectable foods he had ever eaten in his entire life.

LANDLORD: Have some more lobster, my friend! And filet mignon! And please, drink 'til you've had your fill! Waiters? More wine, please! (changing his mind, going more fancy) No! Champagne!

NARRATOR: Rich ate and ate, and drank and drank. Once he was certain his belly couldn't hold anything else, he sat back in his chair with a contented sigh.

RICH: This meal was exquisite, sir! So exquisite that I stuffed myself silly! And I couldn't possibly finish everything on my plate. Mind if I take the rest home to Mother?

NARRATOR: The landlord smiled.

LANDLORD: I don't mind at all! Waiters? One doggie bag, please!

NARRATOR: As a team of waist-coated waiters whisked away Rich's plate and packed up his leftovers, the landlord leaned forward, put his elbows on the table, and clasped his hands together.

LANDLORD: So, my friend…. Now that our lunch is over… let's talk about that piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin! What do you say I send you home with a carriage, you bring the gold back to my mansion, and I tell you its price?

NARRATOR: Just then, the waiters returned with Rich's leftovers. He gave a nod of thanks, then rose to his feet.

'Poor Rich' | Ep. 162 (1) Poor Rich' | Ep. 162 (1) プア・リッチ」|第162話 (1) '불쌍한 부자' | 162화 (1) "Poor Rich" | Ep. 162 (1) 'Pobre Rico' | Ep. 162 (1) Бедный богач"| Эпизод 162 (1) 'Fakir Zengin' | Ep. 162 (1) "Бідні багаті" | Випуск 162 (1) 贫穷的富人》 | 第162集 (1)

**NARRATOR:** Once upon a time, there was a land full of lush and fertile fields.

And a great deal of those lush and fertile fields were owned by a landlord. A very rich landlord who hired hundreds of local villagers to work his land.

The landlord was every bit as pompous as he was prosperous. His snobbery was deeper than his pockets – and given the fortune he owned, those pockets were very deep. Sein Snobismus war tiefer als seine Taschen - und angesichts des Vermögens, das er besaß, waren diese Taschen sehr tief.

**LANDLORD:** Uch! Look at those villagers who work my land! Sieh dir die Dorfbewohner an, die mein Land bearbeiten! With their shabby clothing and ramshackle houses! I should thank my lucky stars I wasn't born a mere peasant like they were! Ich sollte meinem Glücksstern danken, dass ich nicht als einfacher Bauer geboren wurde, wie sie es waren!

**NARRATOR:** The landlord was so disdainful of the villagers that he never talked to them. Der Hausherr war so verächtlich gegenüber den Dorfbewohnern, dass er nie mit ihnen sprach. He never even went near them! Er hat sich ihnen nicht einmal genähert! He stayed far, far away, doing whatever it is that wealthy landlords do all day. Er blieb weit, weit weg und tat das, was wohlhabende Hausbesitzer den ganzen Tag tun.

Meanwhile, down in the lush and fertile fields, the villagers had no shortage of curiosity about their boss. Unten auf den üppigen und fruchtbaren Feldern mangelte es den Dorfbewohnern nicht an Neugier auf ihren Chef. Naturally, they had never met him, though some claimed to have caught a glimpse. Natürlich waren sie ihm nie begegnet, obwohl einige behaupteten, einen Blick auf ihn erhascht zu haben.

**VILLAGER 1:** I saw the landlord when I was carrying a sack of vegetables to his cellar! DÄMMERER 1: Ich habe den Hausherrn gesehen, als ich einen Sack Gemüse in seinen Keller trug! He was up in his mansion, sitting at a great big desk in the great big window of a great big study! Er saß oben in seiner Villa an einem großen Schreibtisch am großen Fenster eines großen Arbeitszimmers! I'm pretty sure he was counting a great big chest full of gold coins! Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass er eine große Truhe voller Goldmünzen gezählt hat!

**VILLAGER 2:** Well, when I saw the landlord I was walking to the well to get a drink of water! DORFBEWOHNER 2: Nun, als ich den Wirt sah, ging ich zum Brunnen, um Wasser zu holen! I peeked through the garden wall and there he was! Ich spähte durch die Gartenmauer und da war er! Lounging beneath a cherry tree and eating oysters and caviar off a silver platter! Unter einem Kirschbaum faulenzen und Austern und Kaviar auf einem Silbertablett essen! Lounging beneath a cherry tree and eating oysters and caviar off a silver platter!

**

VILLAGER 3:** Well, when I saw the landlord, he was on the grounds behind his mansion! BÜRGER 3: Nun, als ich den Vermieter sah, war er auf dem Gelände hinter seinem Haus! He had this snooty smile on his face as he galloped up and down the hills on a great big horse! Er lächelte hochnäsig, während er auf einem großen Pferd die Hügel auf und ab galoppierte!

**VILLAGER 1:** A great big high horse, you mean! DORF 1: Ein großes, hohes Pferd, meinen Sie! (beat) It's unbelievable how snobbish that man is! Wanting nothing to do with us villagers! And so greedy, too! Und auch so gierig!

**NARRATOR:** As the villagers chatted on, one of them did not join in the conversation. Während sich die Dorfbewohner unterhielten, nahm einer von ihnen nicht an dem Gespräch teil. He was perhaps the cleverest villager of the bunch, but he was also the poorest. Er war vielleicht der klügste Dorfbewohner von allen, aber auch der ärmste. His name was Rich.

**VILLAGER 1:** You've been awfully quiet, Rich! DORFBEWOHNER 1: Du bist furchtbar still, Rich! Have you no landlord sightings to report? Haben Sie keine Sichtungen von Vermietern zu melden?

**RICH:** Actually…

**NARRATOR:** Rich shrugged his shoulders.

**RICH:** …I haven't. Not yet, anyway.

**VILLAGER 2:** Well, he's an elusive creature, that landlord is! DORF 2: Der Vermieter ist eine schwer fassbare Kreatur!

**VILLAGER 3:** Goodness knows he stays as far away from us “mere peasants” as possible! DORF 3: Gott weiß, dass er sich von uns "einfachen Bauern" so weit wie möglich fernhält!

**VILLAGER 1:** I'd hand over my prize cow to any villager who could finagle their way into the landlord's mansion and sit down with him for a meal! DORFBEWOBACHTER 1: Ich würde meine Preiskuh jedem Dorfbewohner überlassen, der es schafft, in die Villa des Hausherrn zu gelangen und sich mit ihm zum Essen zusammenzusetzen!

**VILLAGER 2:** Oh yeah? Well I'd bet my goat that none of us can! Nun, ich würde meine Ziege darauf verwetten, dass keiner von uns das kann!

**VILLAGER 3:** I'd bet my donkey!

**VILLAGER 1:** And I'd add in my whole flock of chickens, 'cause it's never going to happen! DORF 1: Und ich würde meine ganze Hühnerschar dazugeben, denn das wird nie passieren!

**VILLAGER 1: / VILLAGER 2: / VILLAGER 3: ** (crosstalk) No, never! Impossible! The landlord can't bear the sight of us! Der Vermieter kann unseren Anblick nicht ertragen! He doesn't even want to come near us! Invite us to lunch??? No way!

**NARRATOR:** On the outside, Rich remained silent and still. Nach außen hin blieb Rich still und ruhig. But on the inside, his mind was whirling and spinning. Aber in seinem Inneren wirbelte alles durcheinander und drehte sich. At last, the clever fellow spoke up. Endlich meldete sich der kluge Mann zu Wort.

**RICH:** You know… I'll bet I could do it. RICH: Weißt du... Ich wette, ich könnte es tun.

**VILLAGER 1:** Come again! DÄMMERER 1: Kommen Sie wieder! ?

**VILLAGER 2:** Are you serious?! ?

**VILLAGER 3:** Are you saying that you could actually… BÜRGER 3: Wollen Sie damit sagen, Sie könnten tatsächlich...

**RICH:** …Actually finagle my way into the landlord's mansion, and sit down with him for a meal? RICH: ...mir tatsächlich einen Weg in die Villa des Vermieters erschleichen und mich mit ihm zum Essen zusammensetzen? Yes! That's precisely what I'm saying. Das ist genau das, was ich sage.

**NARRATOR:** The villagers were silent for a moment. And then…

**VILLAGER 1: / VILLAGER 2: / VILLAGER 3:** (laughter)

**NARRATOR:** …they doubled up with laughter. ...sie haben sich vor Lachen verdoppelt.

**VILLAGER 1:** (laughing) Oh, come now, Rich!

**VILLAGER 2:** (laughing) You honestly think you could do lunch with the landlord? BÜRGER 2: (lachend) Glaubst du wirklich, du könntest mit dem Vermieter essen gehen? !

**

VILLAGER 3:** (laughing) In his fancy-shmancy mansion?! BÜRGER 3: (lachend) In seiner schicken Villa?! ?

**VILLAGER 1:** (laughing) The moment he sees you, he'll order his servants to throw you out!

**VILLAGER 2:** (laughing) You'll lose your job! BÜRGER 2: (lachend) Sie werden Ihren Job verlieren!

**VILLAGER 3:** (laughing) And lose your lunch! BÜRGER 3: (lachend) Und verlieren Sie Ihr Mittagessen! Literally! Buchstäblich!

**RICH:** Fine! Go ahead. Laugh! But you won't be laughing once I waltz home with your cow. Aber du wirst nicht mehr lachen, wenn ich mit deiner Kuh nach Hause gehe. And your goat. And your donkey. Und dein Esel. And your flock of chickens! No, you won't be laughing then! Nein, dann werden Sie nicht lachen!

**VILLAGER 1:** (sobering up) Hold on a minute. DORF 1: (nüchtern) Einen Moment.

**VILLAGER 2:** (sobering up) You're being serious, aren't you? DORF 2: (ernüchtert) Sie meinen das ernst, nicht wahr?

**RICH:** Serious as can be! RICH: So ernst wie es nur geht!

**VILLAGER 3:** But what if you don't have lunch with the landlord…? BÜRGER 3: Aber was ist, wenn man nicht mit dem Vermieter zu Mittag isst...?

**RICH:** If I don't have lunch with the landlord, then I will give you everything I own! RICH: Wenn ich nicht mit dem Vermieter zu Mittag esse, dann gebe ich dir alles, was ich besitze! It isn't much, but it will be yours. Es ist nicht viel, aber es wird Ihnen gehören.

**NARRATOR:** The villagers exchanged a look, and a shrug, and then…? Die Dorfbewohner tauschten einen Blick aus, zuckten mit den Schultern, und dann...?

**VILLAGER 1:** Alright, Rich!

**VILLAGER 2:** You have yourself a deal!

**VILLAGER 3:** But you'd better get your stuff ready.

**VILLAGER 1:** Because when the landlord's servants throw you out… DÄMMERER 1: Denn wenn die Bediensteten des Vermieters dich rauswerfen...

**VILLAGER 2:** …all of it will be ours! DORF 2: ...alles wird uns gehören!

**[theme music in]**

**NARRATOR:** What do you think will happen next?

Will poor Rich find a clever way to dine with the landlord?

We'll find out after a quick break.

**[theme music out]**

**[BREAK]**

**[theme music in]**

**NARRATOR:** Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Sheir. Today our story is called “Poor Rich.”

**[theme music out]**

**NARRATOR:** Before the break, a clever but poor man named Rich took his fellow villagers up on a bet. Vor der Pause nahm ein kluger, aber armer Mann namens Rich eine Wette mit seinen Mitbürgern an. If he could finagle his way into the landlord's house… and have lunch with him… he would get their cow, goat, donkey and chickens. Wenn es ihm gelänge, in das Haus des Hausherrn einzudringen ... und mit ihm zu Mittag zu essen ... würde er dessen Kuh, Ziege, Esel und Hühner bekommen. If he failed, he must give them everything he owned.

So the following day, an hour before lunchtime, Rich strolled over to the landlord's palatial mansion and rang the bell. So schlenderte Rich am nächsten Tag eine Stunde vor der Mittagszeit zu der palastartigen Villa des Hausherrn und klingelte.

**[SOT: fancy doorbell, fancy door opens]**

**BUTLER:** Yes? How may I - (stops short as he actually sees who's at the door) Wie kann ich - (hält kurz inne, als er tatsächlich sieht, wer an der Tür steht)

**NARRATOR:** The landlord's butler stopped short when he saw the poor man standing before him, dressed in rags. Der Butler des Hausherrn hielt inne, als er den armen, in Lumpen gekleideten Mann vor sich stehen sah.

**BUTLER:** You must leave at once, sir! BUTLER: Sie müssen sofort gehen, Sir! The landlord wants nothing to do with you villagers! Der Vermieter will mit euch Dorfbewohnern nichts zu tun haben!

**RICH:** I understand that. But will you please tell the landlord that I have a very pressing question for him? Aber würden Sie dem Vermieter bitte sagen, dass ich eine dringende Frage an ihn habe? (beat) It involves…

**NARRATOR:** Rich looked both ways, then leaned in closer. Rich schaute in beide Richtungen, dann lehnte er sich näher heran.

**RICH:** …gold!

**BUTLER:** Gold, you say…? Well goodness knows the landlord is very interested in gold! Gott weiß, dass der Vermieter sehr an Gold interessiert ist! But why don't you just tell me your question, and I'll pass it on? Aber warum sagst du mir nicht einfach deine Frage, und ich leite sie weiter?

**RICH:** Oh, but this question is for the landlord's ears alone. RICH: Oh, aber diese Frage ist nur für die Ohren des Vermieters bestimmt. Trust me! Vertrauen Sie mir! He'll want to hear this! Das wird er hören wollen!

**NARRATOR:** The butler bit his lip and twiddled his fingers. Der Butler biss sich auf die Lippe und drehte an seinen Fingern.

**BUTLER:** Ohhhh… alright. BUTLER: Ohhhh... na gut. I'll tell the landlord you have a pressing question about gold. Ich werde dem Vermieter sagen, dass Sie eine dringende Frage zu Gold haben. Wait here!

**NARRATOR:** The butler scurried over to the landlord, who was sitting at a great big desk in the great big window of a great big study, counting a great big chest full of gold coins. Der Butler huschte zum Hausherrn hinüber, der an einem großen Schreibtisch im großen Fenster eines großen Arbeitszimmers saß und eine große Truhe voller Goldmünzen zählte.

**LANDLORD: [SOT: coins drop as he counts]** 7,844… 7,845… 7,846…

**BUTLER:** My lord!

**LANDLORD: [SOT: coins drop as he counts]** 7,848… LANDLORD: [SOT: Münzen fallen, während er zählt] 7.848...

**BUTLER:** My lord…?

**LANDLORD:** (continuing) …or was it 7,847…? Oh, look what you made me do! Oh, sieh nur, wozu du mich gebracht hast! I lost count! Ich habe mich verzählt!

**BUTLER:** I'm sorry, my lord. But I come bearing a… message. Aber ich komme mit einer... Botschaft.

**LANDLORD:** I hope it's an important message! You know how much I love counting my gold coins! Sie wissen, wie gerne ich meine Goldmünzen zähle! Almost as much as I love lounging beneath a cherry tree and eating oysters and caviar off a silver platter! Fast so sehr, wie ich es liebe, unter einem Kirschbaum zu sitzen und Austern und Kaviar auf einem Silbertablett zu essen! And galloping up and down the hills on my great big horse! Und ich galoppiere auf meinem großen Pferd die Hügel rauf und runter!

**BUTLER:** I know that, my lord. But this message… it involves a question. About… gold!

**NARRATOR:** At the mere mention of the word “gold,” the landlord's ears perked up. Bei der bloßen Erwähnung des Wortes "Gold" spitzten sich die Ohren des Vermieters.

**LANDLORD:** Gold?!? Why didn't you say so? Tell me more!

**BUTLER:** Well, my lord. A man is here with a pressing question about gold. Ein Mann ist hier und hat eine dringende Frage zu Gold. He requests that you see him. Er bittet Sie, ihn zu empfangen.

**NARRATOR:** The landlord's mind was racing. Die Gedanken des Vermieters rasten. A “pressing question”? Eine "dringende Frage"? About “gold”? Perhaps this man, whoever he was, knew some way the landlord could get more gold! Vielleicht wusste dieser Mann, wer auch immer er war, einen Weg, wie der Hausherr mehr Gold bekommen konnte! And get even richer! Und werden Sie noch reicher!

**LANDLORD:** Very well then. LANDLORD: Also gut. I'll hear this fellow out. Send him in.

**BUTLER:** Yes, sir.

**NARRATOR:** When the butler ushered Rich into the great big study, the landlord wrinkled his nose. Als der Butler Rich in das große Arbeitszimmer geleitete, rümpfte der Hausherr die Nase.

**LANDLORD:** Oh! I didn't realize you were a peasant! Ich wusste nicht, dass du ein Bauer bist! What pressing question about gold could a peasant possibly have for a wealthy man like me? Welche dringende Frage über Gold könnte ein Bauer für einen wohlhabenden Mann wie mich haben?

**RICH:** With all due respect, sir. RICH: Bei allem Respekt, Sir. My question is for your ears only. Meine Frage ist nur für Ihre Ohren bestimmt. May I have the honor of speaking with you alone? Darf ich die Ehre haben, mit Ihnen allein zu sprechen?

**NARRATOR:** The landlord felt a rush of annoyance. Der Vermieter fühlte einen Anflug von Verärgerung. But he also felt a rush of curiosity. Aber er verspürte auch einen Anflug von Neugierde. He waved his hand and dismissed the butler from the room. Er winkte mit der Hand und entließ den Butler aus dem Zimmer.

Once Rich and the landlord were all alone, the clever villager took a deep breath. Als Rich und der Vermieter allein waren, atmete der kluge Dorfbewohner tief durch.

**RICH:** Good sir, I truly appreciate you seeing me. RICH: Guter Herr, ich weiß es wirklich zu schätzen, dass Sie mich empfangen. Because for weeks now I've been wanting to ask you… (carefully as he continues his plan) What would you pay for a piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin? Denn schon seit Wochen wollte ich dich fragen... (vorsichtig, während er seinen Plan fortsetzt) Was würdest du für ein Goldstück bezahlen, das so groß wie der größte Kürbis ist?

**NARRATOR:** The landlord blinked his eyes. Der Vermieter blinzelte mit den Augen. Had he heard right? A piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin? Ein Goldstück so groß wie der größte Kürbis? The way pumpkins grew in his lush and fertile fields, “the largest pumpkin” could be the size of a pony! So wie die Kürbisse auf seinen üppigen und fruchtbaren Feldern wuchsen, konnte der "größte Kürbis" so groß wie ein Pony sein!

**LANDLORD:** Why do you ask me this question, peasant? LANDLORD: Warum stellst du mir diese Frage, Bauer?

**NARRATOR:** Rich arched his eyebrows in a mysterious way. Rich wölbte seine Augenbrauen auf geheimnisvolle Art und Weise.

**RICH:** (mysterious) Oh… I have my reasons. RICH: (geheimnisvoll) Oh... Ich habe meine Gründe.

**NARRATOR:** Now the landlord was more curious than ever! Jetzt war der Vermieter noch neugieriger als zuvor! Had this bedraggled peasant stumbled upon some buried treasure? War dieser zerlumpte Bauer auf einen vergrabenen Schatz gestoßen? Did he actually have a piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin? Hatte er tatsächlich ein Goldstück, das so groß wie der größte Kürbis war? And was it for sale? Und stand es zum Verkauf? If so, surely the landlord could talk him down to a reasonable price. Wenn ja, könnte der Vermieter ihn sicher auf einen vernünftigen Preis herunterhandeln. After all, how clever could a mere peasant possibly be? Denn wie klug kann ein einfacher Bauer schon sein?

**LANDLORD:** Listen… friend. It isn't every day that you find a piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin! Es kommt nicht jeden Tag vor, dass man ein Goldstück findet, das so groß ist wie der größte Kürbis! In fact it isn't any day that you find such a thing! So etwas findet man tatsächlich nicht jeden Tag! So why are you asking me this question? Warum stellen Sie mir dann diese Frage?

**NARRATOR:** Rich slumped his shoulders. Rich ließ die Schultern hängen.

**RICH:** This was what I feared would happen. RICH: Genau das habe ich befürchtet. You won't give me an answer so I'll have to go consult someone else. Sie wollen mir keine Antwort geben, also muss ich jemand anderen konsultieren. (beat) Now if you'll excuse me, I must go home. (Beat) Wenn Sie mich jetzt entschuldigen, ich muss nach Hause. My dear mother will have lunch waiting for me. Meine liebe Mutter wird das Mittagessen auf mich warten lassen.

**NARRATOR:** Now the landlord was burning with curiosity. Der Vermieter war nun sehr neugierig. And with desire – desire for this mysterious, pumpkin-sized piece of gold! Und mit Sehnsucht - Sehnsucht nach diesem geheimnisvollen, kürbisgroßen Goldstück! Surely he couldn't let this peasant go now! Sicherlich konnte er diesen Bauern jetzt nicht mehr gehen lassen!

**LANDLORD:** (over-the-top forced nice-ness) Friend! LANDLORD: (übertrieben gezwungene Nettigkeit) Freund! My dear, dear friend! Mein lieber, lieber Freund! Why hurry home for lunch when you can join me? Warum zum Mittagessen nach Hause eilen, wenn du mich begleiten kannst? Here at my mansion? Hier in meiner Villa?

**RICH:** Join you…? RICH: Zu Ihnen kommen...? For lunch…? Zum Mittagessen...? Here at your mansion…? Hier in Ihrer Villa...?

**LANDLORD:** But of course! LANDLORD: Aber natürlich! I'll have my chefs prepare the finest dishes, and serve the finest wine! Meine Köche werden die besten Gerichte zubereiten und den besten Wein servieren! A guest like you deserves no less! Ein Gast wie Sie hat nichts anderes verdient! Now come! Jetzt komm! Join me in my dining room!

**NARRATOR:** Before Rich knew it, he was sitting at one end of the landlord's gleaming mahogany table in the dining room, feasting on the most delectable foods he had ever eaten in his entire life. Ehe Rich sich versah, saß er an einem Ende des glänzenden Mahagonitisches im Esszimmer des Vermieters und schlemmte das köstlichste Essen, das er je in seinem Leben gegessen hatte.

**LANDLORD:** Have some more lobster, my friend! LANDLORD: Nimm noch etwas Hummer, mein Freund! And filet mignon! And please, drink 'til you've had your fill! Und bitte, trinken Sie, bis Sie genug haben! Waiters? More wine, please! (changing his mind, going more fancy) No! (ändert seine Meinung, wird schicker) Nein! Champagne!

**NARRATOR:** Rich ate and ate, and drank and drank. Der Reiche aß und aß und trank und trank. Once he was certain his belly couldn't hold anything else, he sat back in his chair with a contented sigh. Als er sicher war, dass sein Bauch nichts mehr aufnehmen konnte, lehnte er sich mit einem zufriedenen Seufzer in seinem Stuhl zurück.

**RICH:** This meal was exquisite, sir! So exquisite that I stuffed myself silly! So exquisit, dass ich mich vollgestopft habe! And I couldn't possibly finish everything on my plate. Und ich konnte unmöglich alles auf meinem Teller aufessen. Mind if I take the rest home to Mother? Darf ich den Rest mit nach Hause zu Mutter nehmen?

**NARRATOR:** The landlord smiled. Der Vermieter lächelte.

**LANDLORD:** I don't mind at all! LANDLORD: Das stört mich überhaupt nicht! Waiters? One doggie bag, please!

**NARRATOR:** As a team of waist-coated waiters whisked away Rich's plate and packed up his leftovers, the landlord leaned forward, put his elbows on the table, and clasped his hands together.

**LANDLORD:** So, my friend…. Now that our lunch is over… let's talk about that piece of gold as large as the largest pumpkin! Nun, da unser Mittagessen vorbei ist, lass uns über das Goldstück sprechen, das so groß ist wie der größte Kürbis! What do you say I send you home with a carriage, you bring the gold back to my mansion, and I tell you its price? Was hältst du davon, wenn ich dich mit einer Kutsche nach Hause schicke, du das Gold in mein Haus zurückbringst und ich dir den Preis nenne?

**NARRATOR:** Just then, the waiters returned with Rich's leftovers. In diesem Moment kamen die Kellner mit Richs Essensresten zurück. He gave a nod of thanks, then rose to his feet. Er nickte dankend und stand dann auf.