An Exemplum

The Immigrant and the Car Salesman There was once a boy named Petros who immigrated to the United States from Greece. His family was very poor, so they came on a ship, and took a train to Chicago, where they thought they could find work. When Petros turned eighteen, he decided to move to Lynn, MA, where he settled in the Greek community. He began to work hard and saved all of the money he …

…and, recognizing Petros, greeted him warmly. He asked him what he wanted to buy. Petros told him that he wanted the new Cadillac in the showroom, but that the salesman had tried to show him a different one because he didn't think he could afford the new one. The owner angrily fired the salesman, and Petros drove away in his new car. So we see that "Las apariencias engañan." In English, appearances are deceiving.