Most great inventors often meet with many difficulties in their work before they succeed. They have to solve thousands of problems on their way. The following is one of such examples.

George Stephenson, a famous British inventor, made the first train in 1825, using a steam (蒸汽机). When he was experimenting with the engine on the train, he met with difficulties from many people in the country. They said that the noise and the smoke would kill cows, horses and sheep, and that the engine would catch fire to their houses. George Stephenso told the people that train could go on small rails, could pull carriages full of things and passengers and that there was no great danger to them. It was very difficult for him to make them believe. However. after some time. he was able to do it, and the first train that was driven Stephenson himself showed what he had said. On the train there was a new steam engine. It was invented by him, and was a complete success. The first day when the train ran on the rails, people along the way heard the noise of the train in the distance, and saw it running quickly to them. They thought it was a genie (妖怪). They ran quickly back home and closed their doors. They didn't come out until it went away.

A week later an old woman still said that her hen was so frightened(受惊吓的) that it didn’t lay any eggs for three days.