Excerpt from The Shepherd’s Lute: A Chinese Folktale
Natalie Stewart

1Long ago in a medieval village, a wealthy but bitter farmer named Chao employed an affable shepherd named Jiang, who truly enjoyed playing the lute. Jiang’s instrument was simple and plain, crafted from the wood of a native bamboo tree. Despite its modest appearance, the lute brought Jiang much joy. He created appealing music that lured the other villagers out to listen to him. Having an audience made Jiang feel accepted, and he quickly formed an important bond with the poor villagers.

2Chao, however, didn’t like Jiang. He hated Jiang’s lute playing and the way the villagers admired Jiang. Although Jiang was an excellent person and a hard worker, Chao fired Jiang from his job and smashed the lute into pieces.

3Miserable and brokenhearted, Jiang hung his head as he walked through the forest. Good fortune soon came to him, however, when he bumped into a compassionate old man who felt sorry for Jiang’s loss.

4The elderly man carved a new lute for Jiang and taught him to refine his playing technique. Soon, Jiang played better than ever before. Villagers and woodland creatures from all over came to hear him perform.

5Chao heard gossip of the woodland animals and decided that he wanted to capture a flaxen white rabbit with a spotted head. He promised his farm and his fortune to the son who could capture the specific rabbit for him.

6The sons had never laid eyes on such a rabbit before, and they didn’t know where to find one, but because they knew the rabbit would bring them riches, they decided to search for it.
Which word BEST describes the farmer’s sons?

A) fair
B) greedy
C) miserable
D) cooperative