Two Candidates Mr. Stone was a very clever man whose thoughts were always on learning. When he applied for a post at Camford University, his friends had no doubts that he would get the job. Even though there were hundreds of candidates willing to try their luck, he made up his mind to take part in the contest. Arriving at Camford, a very small town, he learnt that the only hotel was already full. So, he had to stay in the same room with another candidate, a cheerful fellow called Adams, about twenty years younger than himself. The committee listened to all the candidates and only two of them, Mr. Stone and Mr. Adams, were chosen because it seemed impossible to decide who was more skilful. That is why, they were both asked to prepare a report on ancient Greece and to give a lecture on the subject in three days’ time.
Mr. Stone almost stopped eating and sleeping. He worked day and night, arranging his thoughts, writing out and learning his lecture by heart. As for Adams, he didn’t seem to do any preparation. He spent most of his time playing tennis and going to parties and did not return to his room till midnight.
On the day of the lecture Mr. Stone, waiting for his turn to speak, discovered that his speech had disappeared. Turning his head, he saw Adams take the stolen speech out of his pocket and heard him read it to the audience. Adams read it so well that when he finished there was a storm of applause. Mr. Stone was too much upset to protest. So, when his turn came, he could only repeat the same speech word for word, in a low voice.
When the committee went out to decide who the successful candidate was, everyone was sure what their choice would be. However, when the Dean gave Mr. Stone’s name at last, nobody could believe it! They all had admired Mr. Adams’s remarkable speech so much! Asked for explanation, the Dean said: ‘The reason why we have chosen Mr. Stone is that he was able to repeat from memory a brilliant lecture he had never heard before. What a memory must he have! And a fine memory is quite necessary for this post.’
As they walked out of the room, the Dean came up to Mr. Stone and, shaking his hand, said: ‘Congratulations, Mr. Stone! However, let me give you a piece of advice. Be more careful and don’t leave valuable papers lying about!’ |