Story：Transparency

[2020.04.01] 發表

【明報專訊】CLANCY AND DYLAN worked for a landlord named Douglas. The two were responsible for the security of Douglas' plantation, on which there were three hundred farmers.

Douglas had gone on a trip and told the two guards to raise their awareness. ''Tell the farmers what really happens when things happen. Be transparent. I'll be back in a week.'' But Clancy and Dylan never worried about security since the plantation was well-equipped with top-notch facilities like impregnable walls.

Fifty robbers were waiting a thousand miles away from the plantation. The leader asked, ''Shall we attack right now?'' ''Please wait. We shall not do it rashly. Let's spread some fake news onto the plantation.''

Back on the plantation. ''What happened?'' asked Clancy. ''I heard that some robbers want to occupy our plantation. There're fifty of them. With guns and knives.'' Dylan answered with fear. ''We... We mustn't let the farmers know. They'll leave like cowards.'' They fooled the farmers, telling them everything was alright.

One day there was news about a coming band of five hundred marauders. The news kept spreading on the plantation. ''What? That wasn't true! Shall we tell the farmers what's really happening?'' Dylan hesitated. ''Nope. If we tell them they'll know the raid is gonna happen.'' Clancy didn't agree with Dylan. They continued feeding the farmers lies. Some trusted them. Some didn't. There were fewer of them left.

Time was running out. A week later about a hundred farmers escaped. ''Now I think we should tell them.'' Dylan panicked. ''Don't do that. If we tell them, there'll be even more escapees.'' Clancy answered his pal's worry confidently.

Two days later, another hundred farmers left. Dylan again sounded the alarm. Clancy, with his hands shaking, didn't say any words.

One more day passed. The plantation was silent like a graveyard. Dylan and Clancy suddenly heard some noises.

They were from horses. A group of gangster-like people came. They're the robbers! ''Oh there're just five of them...'' No sooner had he uttered such silly words than dozens more appeared. Worse, there were hundreds of farmers following, all chained to each other.

The leader of the gang said, ''Hey you two foolish men, why don't you tell them the truth? I didn't expect such a quick success!'' Now Dylan and Clancy realised that the robbers spread fake news to fool them into leaving the plantation, making them scatter and capturing them one by one.

''Apparently we weren't transparent enough...'' Clancy shed some tears.

◆Food for thought

What is transparent is apparent. Curiosity is a part of humanity. If people don't know the truth, they keep guessing. That brings panic everywhere. Do you think it is always good to tell people lies?

■Gear up

Refer to the story and circle the correct answer.

(1) If a message is ''transparent'', it tells people ( lies / the truth / funny things ).

(2) Dylan and Clancy own the plantation. ( True / False / Not given )

(3) The plantation originally belongs to the robbers. ( True / False / Not given )

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

plantation (n) 種植園

impregnable (adj) 固若金湯的

marauder (n) 強盜

panic (v) 驚恐

[Smarties' Power English 第275期]