Notes
beggar 乞食;
cut back 〈予算・人員などを〉削減［縮小］する;
retort 相手・発言などに）鋭く切り返す;
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For many years, a kind man had been giving money to a beggar. One day, the beggar asked him, “Sir, why did you give me $10 each month two years ago, reduce it to $5 last year, and now, only give me $1?”
The man replied, “Two years ago, I was single. Last year, I got married, and this year, we had a child. Supporting my family has required me to cut back on my spending.”
Angrily, the beggar retorted, “How can you use the money I depend on to support your wife and child?”
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