正文

There once lived a great warrior（勇士）. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. He was so famous that many disciples（弟子） gathered around him studying Zen（禪）.

從前有個勇士，盡管年事已高，卻還是能夠打敗任何一個前來挑戰(zhàn)的人。他威名遠(yuǎn)揚，門下有許多弟子跟隨習(xí)禪。

One day an infamous（聲名狼藉的） young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master.

一日，村里來了一個聲名狼藉的年輕武士，有志成為打敗大師的第一人。

Besides his strength, he had an uncanny（神秘的） ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move and reveal some weakness, and then he would strike with merciless（殘忍的） force and lightning speed.

此人不但力大無窮，還有一種發(fā)現(xiàn)并利用對手弱點的神奇能力。他一般都等對手先出第一招，自己暴露弱點，然后再用閃電般的速度毫不留情地將對手猛力擊倒。

No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move. Much against his disciples' advice, the old master accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began insulting the master.

在比賽里從未有人和他僵持成功，都是早早一招斃命。 年邁的大師不顧眾弟子勸阻，接受了年輕勇士的挑戰(zhàn)。雙方擺好戰(zhàn)斗姿勢，年輕人開始出言中傷大師。

But the old warrior stood there, motionless（一動不動） and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left ashamed of himself. Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth,

只見大師站在那兒一動不動，巋然自若。最后，年輕人筋疲力盡。自知戰(zhàn)敗，他只得丟臉地離開。 弟子們有點失望，覺得大師應(yīng)該出手教訓(xùn)教訓(xùn)那個年輕人。

the disciples gathered around the master and asked him, “How could you tolerate such an indignity? How did you drive him away?”

他們圍著師傅問道：“您怎么就能容忍他如此無禮的言行呢？為什么沒直接攆他走呢？”

“If someone comes to you with a gift, and you don't accept it, to whom does the gift belong?” asked the master. “To the one who tried to deliver it,” replied one of his disciples.

“如果有人來給你送禮物，你不收的話，禮物算誰的？” “送禮的人。”其中一個弟子回答。

“The same goes for envy, anger and insults,” said the master.

“嫉妒、憤怒和侮辱謾罵也是同樣的道理。”大師說。

生詞

Zen [zen] n.禪，禪宗(中國佛教宗派)

infamous [??nf?m?s] adj.聲名狼藉的

uncanny [??n?k?n?] adj.神秘的

square off 擺好(搏斗或拳擊的姿勢)

insolent [??ns?l?nt] adj.侮慢的