Question

What does the master decide to do about the prentice when he remembers the following proverb? 'Best toss a rotten apple from the hoard/Before it rot all the fruit that's present.'

A) The master decides to pay the prentice extra for his delicious apples.
B) The master decides to fire the prentice before his behavior wears off on the other servants.
C) The master decides to make the prentice sort the fruit as punishment for his behavior.
D) The master decides he needs to give the prentice another chance and get him some help.

Answer 1

The master decides to fire the prentice to prevent his bad influence from affecting the other servants, reflecting the wisdom of removing a bad element before it causes broader harm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proverb 'Best toss a rotten apple from the hoard/Before it rot all the fruit that's present' suggests that it is better to remove a bad influence before it affects others adversely. In the context of this question, the master would most likely decide to fire the prentice before his poor behavior spreads to the other servants. This action is rooted in the desire to maintain a healthy and positive environment, much like one would remove a rotten apple to prevent the spoilage of the whole hoard. The fact that there is a deliberation based on a proverb indicates that the master is concerned about the overall wellbeing and productivity of his staff.