Chinese Fables Bilingual Edition Issue 36: Contradictions

2015-06-25 「 1070 words / 2 minute 」
Chinese Fables Bilingual Edition Issue 36: Contradictions.jpg
story
古时候,有一个人,他既卖矛又卖盾。
In ancient times, there was a man who sold spears as well as shields.
一天,他在集市上叫卖,非常得意。
One day, he hawked his wares at the market and was very pleased with himself.
他举起他的盾说:“我的盾非常坚固。
He held up a shield and said: "My shield is very strong.
无论怎样好的矛,都戳不穿它!”
No matter how sharp a spear is, it cannot pierce my shield."
说完,他又举起他的矛夸口说:“我的矛非常锋利。
After that, he held up his spear and bragged: "My spear is very sharp.
无论怎样坚固的盾都能戳进去!”
No matter how strong a shield is, my spear can pierce it.
站在旁边的人听了,都暗暗地发笑。
When the people standing by heard this, they laughed up their sleeves.
有人问他:“照你这样说,你的矛是最锋利的。
One of them asked him: "According to what you said, your spear is the sharpest.
无论怎样硬的盾都戳得进去。
No matter how strong a shield is, your spear can pierce it.
你的盾又是最坚固的。
Your shield is also the strongest.
无论怎样锋利的矛,也别想戳进去。
No matter how sharp a spear is, it cannot pierce your shield.
那么,现在我用你的矛来戳你的盾,看看结果会怎样呢?”
Now, if I poke your shield with your spear, what will be the result?"
那个人窘得连一句话也答不上来。
The man was so embarrassed that he could not utter a single word.