精美英文欣赏:凌辱的礼物

There once lived a great warrior¹. 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 infamous² young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined³ 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 hurl⁴ 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 exhausted⁵ himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent⁶ youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. “How could you endure such an indignity⁷? 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?”
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？”
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!
 

1 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

2 infamous   

adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的

参考例句：

• He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.他因反对女性主义而声名狼藉。
• I was shocked by her infamous behaviour.她的无耻行径令我震惊。

3 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 hurl   

vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂

参考例句：

• The best cure for unhappiness is to hurl yourself into your work.医治愁苦的最好办法就是全身心地投入工作。
• To hurl abuse is no way to fight.谩骂决不是战斗。

5 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

6 insolent   

adj.傲慢的，无理的

参考例句：

• His insolent manner really got my blood up.他那傲慢的态度把我的肺都气炸了。
• It was insolent of them to demand special treatment.他们要求给予特殊待遇，脸皮真厚。

7 indignity   

n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑

参考例句：

• For more than a year we have suffered the indignity.在一年多的时间里,我们丢尽了丑。
• She was subjected to indignity and humiliation.她受到侮辱和羞辱。