How oft the commonest of tasks looks long and tiresome¹ till begun. To use your wits, is all it asks, start doing, and it's done.

 

They brought John Brown a box, fresh from the workman's hands. Twas work that took the eye, so neatly², cleanly done. This charming little box delighted everyone.

 

Then in comes a mechanic. Oh yes, these things he understands. He glances at the box. 'This box has got some trick. You see it has no lock. And yet I warrant you, I'll have it open quick. You boobies over there, don't mock! Just wait! I'll find the catch, then show the trick to you. In matters of this kind I know a thing or two.'

 

He sets to work, leaves nothing untried. He turns it round on every side; he guesses and he guesses. One knob and then the next, and then the handle presses. John looks at him and all the while Just shakes his head and James and Ned whisper among themselves and smile. From time to time some onlooker³ will say: 'Not that way! No, not there!'

 

But harder still and harder he puzzles, he perspires⁴, till damped is all his ardour. He gives it up and puts it on the shelf. And why not raise the lid? He never tried that way! This was a box that opened of itself.

 

最普通的工作,没动手之前，总觉得费心费力。其实只要开动脑筋，考虑好了，一做就成。

 

有人拿了一只刚做好的箱子。箱子做得细致又大方，让人眼前一亮。这箱子如此漂亮，人人都喜欢。

 

这时，一个机械师来了。不错，他还懂得这玩意儿，他看了一眼小箱子说道：“这箱子有点名堂，你瞧，连锁都看不到；然而我担保，我能立刻打开它。站在一边的蠢才别耻笑，等着瞧吧！我一定会找到窍门，把秘密告诉大家的。说到机械，我多少也懂点门道。”

 

于是，他动手在小箱子上到处摸索，翻来转去，琢磨了又琢磨，试试这个钉，又摸摸那个纽，然后按按把手。这时候啊，有人紧瞅着他，有人摇头，相顾而笑。旁观者不时地说着话：“不是那样,不，不，不在那里！”

 

他拼命地琢磨，浑身大汗，出得气都泄了。终于，他放弃了，把小箱子放到架子上。为什么不掀起盖子呢？他从来没有这样试过。其实，这是一个没有锁可以自己打开的箱子。

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