The Sea Serpent

Once upon a time there was a great swimmer. He lived near the sea and every morning he went for a swim.

One day there was a huge storm. Dark clouds were gathering and there were great thunders. The swimmer did not care. He jumped into the sea and started his usual routine.

Alas, the strong currents pulled him deep into the sea. He could not see the shore and the weather got worse and worse.

Suddenly a great roar came from the depths and a colossal serpent ascended from the black waters. The monster stared at the swimmer and bellowed "**PLUS TWO OR MINUS TWO?!**"

The swimmer was shaking with fear but somehow managed to mumble "P-plus two!" not really knowing what the serpent wanted. The great monster just nodded it's ugly head and submerged once again.

The swimmer swam like he'd never swam before and somehow managed to reach the shore. Awash with relief he walked on the beach when he felt that something was terribly wrong...

He looked down and he saw that he now had 4 balls...

What was he to do? He was a freak, how would he live like that? And what will he tell his wife?!

So he decided to find the magical beast once again and answer "minus two", so that he might be as he once were. He jumped into the sea and swam and swam.

Unfortunately the monster was nowhere to be seen. In vain the swimmer went further and further into the stormy sea.

Finally, when he was nearly at the end of his strength he heard the terrible roar again, a great maelstrom appeared and from it the serpent emerged and with a malicious grin asked "**PLUS** ***FOUR*** **OR MINUS** ***FOUR*** ?!"