從前在臺灣中部石崗鎮有個姓賴的富翁，他有數不清的房屋和土地，鎮上一半以上的店面都是他的，所以當地人又稱他為「賴半街」。
有一天，外地的牧羊人經過石崗鎮時，碰到大雷雨，就和羊群一起在屋簷下避雨。這時，賴半街剛好從屋裡走出來，看到羊群又吵又臭的，就叫牧羊人離開，牧羊人哀求等大雨過後再走，賴半街不肯，牧羊人只好走到隔壁去躲雨，這時，又聽到賴半街大叫，「不行！不行！這一帶全是我的房子。」牧羊人只好冒著大雨，繼續往前走。
三年後，有天賴半街到鄉下收田租，走到半路，竟下起大雨，他看到前方有一間小茅屋，就上前敲門，開門的是一位年輕人，賴半街問：「可不可以借我住一晚？」年輕人回答：「好！快進來吧！」年輕人拿一套乾衣服讓他換上，還端一碗熱呼呼的地瓜稀飯給他，又冷又餓的賴半街，一口氣便把稀飯吃光，並說：「沒想到地瓜稀飯這麼好吃。」這時，年輕人笑說：「您是大財主，怎麼看得上地瓜稀飯呢？」賴半街就問：「我們認識嗎？」年輕人回答：「我就是三年前大雨中被你趕走的牧羊人。」賴半街感到十分慚愧，心想：「對方不但不記恨，還對我如此好，心胸真是寬大。」連忙向年輕人道歉。
從此以後，賴半街不再自私、小氣，不但變得慷慨大方，還常常拿錢出來幫助困苦的人，成為地方上的大善人。
Once upon a time in Shi-gang Town in Central Taiwan, there was a rich man whose surname was Lai. He owned many houses and lots of lands. More than half of the houses lining the streets belonged to him. So, the locals called him “Half-Street Lai.”
One day, a traveling shepherd passed by Shi-gang Town, and got caught in a thunderstorm. He decided to take shelter from the storm under the front porch of a house. Just then, Half-Street Lai came out of the house. He did not like seeing the flock of noisy and smelly sheep, and he asked the shepherd to leave. The shepherd begged to be allowed to stay until the thunderstorm was gone, but Half-Street Lai refused. So, the shepherd moved to the porch next door. Seeing this, Half-Street Lai shouted, “No! Be gone! The houses in this area are all mine.” The poor shepherd had no choice but to continue his journey in the heavy rain.
Three years later, Half-Street Lai went to the countryside to collect rent from farmers. However, he got caught in heavy rain along the way. He looked around and saw a small cottage ahead. So, he ran over and knocked on the door. A young man opened the door. Half-Street Lai asked, “May I spend the night here?” The young man said, “Of course! Come on in!” The young man brought Half-Street Lai a set of dry clothes to change into, and a hot bowl of sweet potato porridge. Half-Street Lai was so cold and hungry, he finished the bowl of porridge quickly and said, “I never knew sweet potato porridge tasted this good!” The young man laughed and said, “You are such a wealthy man, I am surprised you would find a humble bowl of porridge to be so delicious!” Hearing this, Half-Street Lai asked, “Have we met before?” The young man replied, “I was the shepherd you chased away during the thunderstorm three years ago” Half-Street Lai was ashamed to hear this and thought to himself, “This man not only forgave my unkind behavior, he has shown me great kindness too. What a broad-minded man!” He immediately apologized to the young man.
From then on, Half-Street Lai stopped being selfish and stingy. He became kind and generous, and frequently donated money to the poor and needy. He became a great local philanthropist.
