The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices

Synopsis

"In the autumn month of September, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven… two idle apprentices, exhausted by the long, hot summer, and the long, hot work it had brought with it, ran away from their employer." Under the pseudonyms of Francis Goodchild and Thomas Idle, Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins set off on a walking tour of the north-west of England, reporting back on their adventures for Dickens's magazine Household Words. A unique insight into the friendship of two of the towering figures of Victorian literature, and featuring a pair of chilling ghost stories from the leading exponents of the genre, The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices is a charming evocation of the adventures they experienced on their trip and the gently mocking nature of their relationship.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Idle Apprentices

* Summary: Introduces the two idle apprentices, Ching and Chan, who are sent by their teacher to learn a trade. They visit a vegetable market and refuse to negotiate with a vendor, showcasing their laziness.
* Real-life example: Two young workers who refuse to work hard and expect everything to be handed to them.

Chapter 2: The Crafty Vendors

* Summary: Ching and Chan encounter a group of cunning vendors who trick them into exchanging their valuable items for worthless ones. The apprentices are left with nothing but a broken fan and a bag of worthless gems.
* Real-life example: A salesperson who uses persuasion techniques to sell an overpriced product to an unsuspecting customer.

Chapter 3: The Magical Painting

* Summary: Ching and Chan are gifted a magical painting that can grant wishes. However, their selfish desires and laziness prevent them from using it wisely. The painting eventually disappears, leaving them with nothing.
* Real-life example: A person with a great opportunity but lacks the motivation to seize it, resulting in missed potential.

Chapter 4: The Talking Fish

* Summary: Ching and Chan catch a talking fish but treat it poorly. The fish escapes and gives a moral to the story: "Even the smallest of creatures should be treated with respect."
* Real-life example: A boss who mistreats his employees, leading to low morale and a toxic work environment.

Chapter 5: The Wise Monkey

* Summary: Ching and Chan stumble upon a wise monkey who teaches them the importance of humility and kindness. They learn how to respect others and themselves.
* Real-life example: A mentor who provides guidance and support to help others grow and develop.

Chapter 6: The Dream

* Summary: Ching and Chan dream of becoming wealthy and successful. However, they wake up realizing that their dreams were an illusion and their laziness has brought them nothing.
* Real-life example: A lottery player who spends their money on tickets instead of pursuing real opportunities.

Chapter 7: The Return

* Summary: Ching and Chan return home as poor and lazy as when they left. Their teacher chastises them for their wasted time and advises them to become diligent and responsible.
* Real-life example: An individual who fails in their career or relationships due to their lack of effort and commitment.

Chapter 8: The End

* Summary: The story concludes with Ching and Chan finally realizing their folly. They mend their ways and become hard-working and respectable members of society.
* Real-life example: A person who overcomes their laziness and achieves personal and professional success through determination and effort.