Joseph went into the Jewel’s Jewellery shop to buy a gift for his girlfriend, Amber. He knew that she loved pearls of any colour; it made no difference to her. After a bit of looking, a young lady came over and asked, “May I help you?” He glanced up and said, “Yes, I am looking for a real pearl necklace. Amber’s birthday is coming up and I want to get something she would love.”
She nodded to him, and said, “Well, we have a great selection of pearl jewellery over here. We also have this beautiful white pearl necklace. The pearls are real,” she said as she pulled it out from under the counter to show it to him. He touched it and rubbed it some. The gold chain inlaid with small white pearls was beautiful. “Are you positive they are real?” he asked as he glanced at her. “Yes, sir; they are real pearls; we don’t sell imitation jewellery here.” He nodded and said, “I’ll take it. Can you gift wrap it, please?” he said as he pulled out his wallet and paid for it.
At Amber’s birthday party she opened his gift. She hugged him and cried for the gift he gave her.
Later, Joseph told Amber that the pearls in the necklace were real and not fake. Amber laughed, “Who told you that?” He looked a little upset, “The lady at Jewel’s Jewellery did.” Amber said nothing for a few moments and then said, “She lied to you; these aren’t real, but imitation pearls.”
How did Amber know that the lady at Jewel’s Jewellery lied to Joseph?
Solution
The pearls on the necklace were smooth and slippery when Amber rubbed them gently across her teeth. Amber knew then they were fake, for if they had been real, they would have been gritty.
