The other day I (finished) work earlier than usual. The weather (was) fine, so I (decided) (to take) a walk. While I (was passing) one of the
numerous pubs, I (realized) that I had not (have) anything to drink since
morning and that I certainly (liked) a pint of beer. “There (is) nothing
better than cold beer on a hot day like this!” I (thiought) and (entered) the
Golden Bar. I (saw) men and women (sitting) at their tables over a glass of
beer. The beer (was brought) soon, but as I had not (been) in the bar before, I
(took) a look around. Almost every seat (was occupied). I watched people
(talking) and (laughing). Finally I (finished) my beer and (was) about (to leave)
the bar when it (began) (to rain). I (waited) for ten minutes but the rain
did not (stop). The strange part of it was that there (were) no clouds in the
sky and yet it (was raining) hard. I (could) not possibly (go out) as I had not
(taken) an umbrella with me. I (expected) the rain (to stop) soon, so I
(changed) my mind and (ordered) a substantial lunch. I (noticed) many people
(doing) the same, so the waiter (had) a lot of work to do. “It (has been raining) for
an hour already, but the rain (shows) no sign of stopping. It’s time I
(left),” I (thought) and (went out). I (walked) a few steps in a hurry and
then (stopped) in surprise. There (was) no rain. All the time I (was sitting) in the
bar, there (was) no rain at all!
But just a few yards away from the front door of the bar an elderly
woman (was sitting) comfortably on a chair. She (was holding) a hose linked to a tap.
She (was watering) the pavement in front of the bar.
A clever man, that barman was! He (wanted) people (to stay) in his bar as long as possible. And his trick (had worked) with me as well.