[J-209] The Greatest Archer
最伟大的弓弩手
An international group of archers were talking about
the history of archery. Suddenly one
of them asked, “Who
do you think is the greatest bowman the world has ever had?”
In answer to this question, a Swiss said: “William Tell, I believe. He shot an apple off the head of his son
and shot a tyrant dead.” “I think Robin Hood is even greater,” an Englishman suggested. “He was able to beat any fellow archer in competition. In fact, he must have put many a tyrant
to death by his marksmanship.” At this
juncture, a Chinese cut in and said: “Undoubtedly, the world's greatest archer is
Houyi. He shot down nine surplus suns.”
On hearing this, an Italian stepped forth and said: “You must admit that Cupid is much greater. Although he is just a kid and he is all
blind, he has pierced all the hearts of all daughters and sons, not just an apple
or some tyrants or some surplus sons.”
[译注]
有一群国际的弓弩手正在谈射箭的历史。突然间，其中一人问说：「你们想，谁是这个世界曾经有过的最伟大的弓箭手？」回答这个问题时，有个瑞士人说：「我相信是威廉铁勒。他射掉儿子头上的苹果，还射死一个暴虐的人。」「我想罗宾汉甚至更为伟大，」有个英国人提示说。「竞赛时，他有能力打败任何一个一起射箭的人。事实上，他必定靠射箭术置许多暴虐者于死地。」就在这时，有个中国人插进来说：「毫无疑问的，世上最伟大的弓箭手是后羿。他射下了九个多余的太阳。」一听到这个，有个意大利人往前踏个步说：「你必须承认邱彼得是更伟大多了。虽然他只是小孩而且他还全盲，可是他把所有女儿们和儿子们的所有心都射穿了，不只射穿一个苹果或一些暴虐者或一些多余的儿子而已。
注：
1.
William Tell 是瑞士传说中很会射箭的英雄。据说暴虐的地方官
Gessler 在广场上立一竿子，竿上挂自己的帽子，要行经广场的村民对那帽子敬礼。 William Tell 行经那广场，未向帽子敬礼，便被逮捕。 Gessler
处罚他的方式是：在
Tell 的儿子头上放一个苹果，叫
Tell 从远处射箭把苹果射落。
Tell 准备两支箭，但一箭便射下苹果。
Gessler 问他为何准备两支箭，
Tell 说，万一第一箭射伤儿子，第二箭便要射向
Gessler 。后来
Gessler 一直设法要害
Tell ，终究被
Tell 暗杀而亡。
2.
Robin Hood (罗宾汉) 是英国传说中劫富济贫的侠盗，据说他的箭法无人能敌。
3.
Houyi (后羿) 是中国神话中嫦娥之夫。据说天上原有十个太阳，大地因而即将烧毁。后羿持弓射下九个太阳，因而救了大地。
4.
Cupid (邱彼得) 是罗马神话中的爱神，等于希腊神话中的 Eros
。他是孩童，盲目而持弓。他的箭射向任何男女之心，而使之产生爱情。
5.
本笑话中，那意大利人把那中国人所说的 “nine surplus suns” (九个多余的太阳) 听成 “nine surplus sons” (九个多余的儿子)。
[复习填充]
An international group of archers w____ talking about
the history of ar_____. Suddenly one
of them asked, “Who
do you think is the greatest bow____ the world has ever had?”
In answer ___ this question, a Swiss said: “William Tell, I believe. He shot an apple ____ the head of his son
and shot a tyrant d____.” “I think Robin Hood is e____ greater,” an Englishman suggested. “He was able to b____ any fellow archer in com______. In fact, he must have ____ many a tyrant
to death by his marksman____.” At this
j_____, a Chinese cut in and said: “Undoubtedly, the world’s greatest archer is Houyi. He shot down nine
s_____ suns.” On hearing this, an Italian stepped forth
and said: “You
must admit that Cupid is m____ greater.
Although he is just a kid and he is all blind, he has p_____ all the hearts
of all daughters and sons, not just an apple or some tyrants or some surplus sons.”