A blessing in disguise

05-11

The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 『coursed tree』. Because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased. The tree was planted near the church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation. It is said that if anyone touches the tree, he will have bad luck. If he picks a leaf, he will die. Many villagers believe that the tree has

already claimed a number of victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree

cut down, but so far he has refused. He has pointed out that the tree is a

useful source of income, as tourists have been coming from all parts of country

to see it. In spite of all that has been said, the tourist have been picking

leaves and cutting their name on the tree-trunk. So far not one of them has

been struck down by sudden death.

Why does the vicar refused to cut down the

tree?

New words: disguise 偽裝 course 詛咒 claim 聲稱索賠 trunk n 樹榦，adj 幹線的