美文欣赏

The Gift of Insults

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger.

His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness ,and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior’s challenge .As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally ,the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. “How could you endure such an indignity? how did you drive him away?”

“If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it,” the master replied, “to whom does the gift belong?”

参考译文

凌辱的礼物

佚名

从前有一位伟大的武士，他虽然已经年迈，但依然所向无敌。他声名远扬，国人皆知，于是许多门生都来到他门下学习。

一天一个臭名昭著的年轻武士来到了这个村庄。他决心做第一个击败这位大师的人。除了力大无穷外，他还有一种非同寻常的能力，那就是发现并利用对手的任何弱点。他往往会等待对手先进攻时暴露出弱点，然后会毫不留情地闪电般出击。迄今为止无人能在较量中同他过完第一招。

大师丝毫不顾满腹担忧的学生们的劝阻，欣然接受了年轻武士的挑战。两人摆起驾驶准备较量，年轻的武士就开始凌辱大师，向他脸上扔泥土，吐口水，一连好几个小时，对大师极尽侮辱谩骂之能事。

但大师只是站在那里默不做声，纹丝不动。最后，年轻的武士筋疲力尽。他知道自己已经战败，羞愧地离开了。

大师没有向无礼的年轻人动手，对此，门生们有点儿失望，围过来问他：“您怎能忍受这样的侮辱呢？您是如何将他赶走的？”

“如果有人送你一件礼物，而你没有收到，”大师回答道，“那么，这件礼物是属于谁的呢？”

词汇释义

1.uncanny adj. 神秘的, 不可思议的

The silence was uncanny.
静得出奇.

2.merciless adj. 无慈悲心的, 残忍的

His refusal was a merciless blow to us.
他的拒绝对我们是一个无情的打击。

3.square off 摆出自卫或攻击的架势

4.verbally adv. 口头地，词句地, 逐字地

You may answer either verbally or in writing.
你以囗头或书面回答都可以。

5.insolent adj. 粗野的, 无礼的

You insolent young puppy!
你这个目中无人的小子!