In ancient times, there was a man who sold spears as well as shields.

古时候，有一个人，他既卖矛又卖盾。

One day, he hawked his wares at the market and was very pleased with himself. He held up a shield and said: "My shield is very strong. No matter how sharp a spear is, it cannot pierce my shield."

一天，他在集市上叫卖，非常得意。他举起他的盾说:"我的盾非常坚固，无论怎样好的矛，都戳不穿它!"

After that, he held up his spear and bragged: "My spear is very sharp. No matter how strong a shield is, my spear can pierce it.

说完，他又举起他的矛夸口说:"我的矛非常锋利，无论怎样坚固的盾都能戳进去!"

When the people standing by heard this, they laughed up their sleeves. One of them asked him:

站在旁边的人听了，都暗暗地发笑。有人问他:

"According to what you said, your spear is the sharpest. No matter how strong a shield is, your spear can pierce it. Your shield is also the strongest. No matter how sharp a spear is, it cannot pierce your shield. Now, if I poke your shield with your spear, what will be the result?"

"照你这样说，你的矛是最锋利的，无论怎样硬的盾都戳得进去;你的盾又是最坚固的，无论怎样锋利的矛，也别想戳进去。那么，现在我用你的矛来戳你的盾，看看结果会怎样呢?"

The man was so embarrassed that he could not utter a single word.

那个人窘得连一句话也答不上来。


（编者注：本文由作文地带整理。）

编辑:Liuxuepaper.Com

作文地带知识拓展:

• ‌“故事”的英文翻译是“Story”‌。‌

  Story是一个英语单词，主要用作名词、动词，作名词时翻译为“故事；小说；描述；新闻报道；来历；假话；层；一种测量单位（1 story 等于 3.3 米）；(Story) 斯托里（人名）”，作动词时翻译为“用历史故事画装饰；说谎”。

  故事是一种文学体裁，侧重于事件发展过程的描述，强调情节的生动性和连贯性，适合口头讲述。‌故事可以是真实发生的事情，也可以是虚构的情节。它们通常与人类的历史、文化传统和价值观念密切相关，通过记忆和传播，影响着社会的性格形成和文化形态。‌