Mr. Li worked in a post office in Weihai. Last month he retired. His son works in America. Five years ago Mrs. Li went to America to look after their grandson. So Mr. Li decided to see them.
   Mr. Li was afraid of taking the plane so he decided to go to America by ship. On the first morning on the ship, Mr. Li met an American. The man said to him, “Good morning!” Mr. Li thought the man told him his name. So he said to him, “Li Haitao.”
   On the second morning, Mr. Li met his son’s friend on the ship. He told him about the American. After hearing that, his son’s friend laughed and said, “He said hello to you in the morning.”
   On the third morning when Mr. Li met the American again, he said, “Good morning!” And the American said to him, “Li Haitao, sir.”

    北人生而不识菱①者，仕②于南方，席上食菱，并壳入口。或曰：“食菱须去壳。”其人自护所短，曰：“我非不知，并壳者，欲以去热也。”问者曰：“北土亦有此物否？”答曰：“前山后山，何地不有？”夫菱生于水而曰土产，此坐③强不知以为知也。

【注释】①菱：俗称菱角，水生植物，果实可以吃。②仕：做官。③坐：因为。