Summary of Third Thoughts ( Lucas )

Unit 10: Humor and Satire

Flax-Golden Tales

Third Thoughts
– Four Levels of Interactions

For : BA / BBS First Year ( Business English )

E . V . Lucas , England ( 1868 – 1938)

Literal Comprehension :
Once the writer ’s friend while visiting New York bought a painting thinking that it was by Turner . He got it at cheap price since the seller was also confused about its originality. With the painting he went to London and sold it at fifty pounds. He was so much happy that he decided to share the profit with seller of New York . At first , he decided to share fifty percent of his profit and wrote a letter but having no stamp, he went to his room . Again at about 3 AM, he thought it quite inappropriate to share the profit but still thought of sending ten pounds only . His thinking kept on changing and couldn ’t sleep well. Again . he thought of sending five pounds thinking that if he shared , the Goddess would be angry and he thought it was he who knew the value of the painting. If he had known it, he wouldn ’t have given him at such cheap rate , so it is wrong to send him the profit . Finally , he decided to send only a pound . Early in the morning , he went out side and spent all his money in gambling. Finally , he concluded that buying and selling are straight forward matter. Everyone in this matter tries to get benefit . The buyer once paying to the goods has no obligation to the dealer.

Interpretation:
The story presenting the constant changing nature of human mind seems to be full of humor and satire . Basically thinking with the nature of businessman’s mind it proves that human mind can never be rigid and fixed. Especially in business their mind keeps on changing. At another level , it sheds light on human earning since the earning as that of writer’s friend has no meaning at all in life . The most important thing in the story is that in business buying and selling are straight forward dealings . It has nothing to do with human consideration, sympathy and faith . Once goods are sold or bought they have nothing to do with them since then.

Critical Thinking:
The story offers a great deal of humor and satire. But in many respects , it doesn ’ t seem appropriate and convincing. The first is: Does anyone want to share his profit? It is so much unbelievable . Similarly , the seller of any good knows its quality and the cost . Does any seller sell his good without knowing it?

Assimilation :
As I went through the story, it reminded me of my own events that I experienced earlier . Once I had been to my village after a long time from the city. I had taken a beautiful watch there. Everyone liked it, one of my friends promised to pay Rs 500 for it , so I gave it to him. I got Rs 300 as profit, and so I got extremely happy .