grandpa hodge was the most popular sage1（圣人，贤人） in the village because he was so philosophic2 in speaking and doing things that *ryone r*red3 him as "grandpa wisdom".
one day, a man hurried to grandpa wisdom and said, "grandpa, i have a piece of news to tell you…"
"wait a moment," grandpa hodge stroked his beard and cut him short, "have you sifted4 the news you will tell me with three si*s6?"
"three si*s? which three si*s?" the man asked with puzzlement.
"the first si*5 is truth. is the news you will tell me true?" grandpa hodge asked, narrowing his eyes.
"i don't know because i overhead it from the street."
"now let's check it with the second si*（筛，滤）," grandpa hodge went on, "if the news you will tell me is not true, it should be friendly."
the man hesitantly answered, "no, just the other way round…"
grandpa hodge once again interrupted him, "so let's use the third si*. can you tell me if the news that is exciting you is very important?"
"it is not so important," the man answered with embarrassment7.
grandpa hodge patted the shoulder of the man and said significantly, "now that the news you will tell me is not true, friendly or important, please don't tell me. then it won't trouble you and me."
the man took a tumble and n*r spread the overhead news *r since.
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