【明報專訊】MR SWIMSON was a great swimmer. When he was small, he reveled in talking about things that normal people didn't know too well. From history to geography, and physics to astronomy, he could really chew the fat about any subjects for a long while. Even things he couldn't do.

When he was just a kid, he could always turn a dull chit-chat into an erudite discussion. And he did that effortlessly. Many were amazed by such a talent. Of course some found that annoying, as it's hard to endure such demanding conversations. As time passed, there were fewer and fewer people willing to be lectured by him.

The Chinese New Year holidays just ended. One day, during the PE lesson, some little Swimson's classmates gossiped about where they had travelled during the season. Angus said he had been to Berlin. Sally said she had been to Milan.

''Enough jibber-jabber. My dad was a veteran swimmer. And I inherited from him a great talent for swimming.'' Little Swimson said.

Angus seemed to see through all this. To cause a stir, he said,

''Hey Swimson, how about you show us your swimming skills? We would like to learn from you.''

Hang on. True, his father's job had to do with water. But he was a plumber. Little Swimson didn't know how to swim. He was an armchair swimmer.

''Ummmmm... I think it's not proper... You know... I'm not the teacher...'' Little Swimson murmured.

Suddenly someone pushed his back. Not expecting such a push, he fell into the water.

''Help... Help... Hell...''

Little Swimson begged for rescue but no one answered.

The PE teacher came and immediately jumped into the pool. A timely rescue. And a perfect example of real talent.

Little Swimson learnt a great lesson from that.

From then on, he wouldn't dare talk big.

■Gear up

Refer to the story and answer the following questions.

(Answers on next text)

(1) Mr Swimson is named Swimson because he loves swimming.

True / False / Not given

(2) The PE teacher is little Swimson's father.

True / False / Not given

(3) The PE teacher teaches Mr Swimson how to swim later and helps him become a great swimmer.

True / False / Not given

■Food for thought

It's cool to be knowledgeable, but it's better not to boast about something you don't know thoroughly. You only know how to do something after you are taught to do so.

■Glossary

revel in (phr v) 從……獲得快樂

chew the fat (idiom) 閒談

jibber-jabber (n) 胡言亂語

armchair (adj) 空談的

[Smarties' Power English 第268期]