unit 3
Handout 1
The vanishing 'hitchhiker/passenger' is a very popular story told in many parts of the world.You may have heard of it in your own culture.
These different versions have come about as the story is passed on by word of mouth.With each telling,people like to add or change some details.While certain more elements from the original story remain unchanged,other parts are always changing.As a result,there are often many different story versions.
original story （core elements）
*A motorist is travelling by night and spots a hitchhiker.
*The motorist stops and offers the hitchhiker a lift.
*As the two reach the end of the journey,or pass a certain point,strange things start to happen and the hitchhiker mysteriously vanishes.
Handout 2
The disappearing passenger
'Mr Tom Leung,I'm Sergeant Wong.No one has come forward to claim the $58200 you found in your car on 12 December.Now you can keep the money.'explained the officer on the other end of the line.
Tom couldn't believe his luck when he put down the phone - the money was exactly the amount he needed to pay for his mum's surgery!His mind brought him back to that cold rainy night.It was just past midnight and he was driving past an abandoned government building near the North Point harbourfront.Not too far away,he saw a girl trying to wave down a passing taxi,but the car just sped past her without stopping.'Funny,'Tom thought.Then he remembered a fellow taxi driver once warned him not to pick up anyone in that area after midnight.
Tom could see that the girl was soaking wet and shaking with cold.Despite the warning,he felt sorry for her and pulled over to ask if she was all right.The girl looked very grateful and gave him a note that read:Lyemun Barracks.
' Lyemun Barracks?'Do you mean that former military compound once occupied by japanese troops during WWII ?Do you want me to take you there?'Tom asked.The girl nodded.When Tom told her to get in the back of his taxi,the rain abruptly stopped.
They were about to reach the compound when the taxi suddenly became very cold.'Do you want me to put the heating on?'Tom offered.There was no answer,so he stole a look at his rear-view mirror.He was shocked to see that there was no one there! He was even more surprised as he looked down and saw a thick roll of banknotes on the back seat!Tom felt very confused.He decided to take his car to the nearest police station to report the money.It was exactly three months later that he received the call from Sergeant Wong.