Joe Blow the aspiring¹ young executive was late for an appointment and in the process of doubling the speed limit in his BMW when a VW beetle² pulled out in front of him. He could not slow down fast enough and slammed into the beetle.

乔勃，这个年轻有为的总经理为了能准时赴约，以超过限速两倍的速度驾驶着他的那辆宝马车，这时前面的一辆大众甲壳虫汽车突然停了下来。因为乔勃的车速太快根本无法及时刹车，于是一下子撞到了甲壳虫的后面。

Surprisingly, the BMW was totaled while the beetle was in good shape. The driver of the compact was amused at the condition of the two cars.

更让人费解的是，只有他的宝马车被撞坏了，而那辆甲壳虫却安然无恙。那辆车的司机也为此感到很惊讶。

The executive was so enraged³ that he had a hard time keeping from attacking the driver of the VW. The executive drew a large circle on the ground off to one side. He said, "You get in that circle and stay there, or I’m going to beat the shit out of you!” The executive got a tire iron out of his trunk and smashed the windshield of the beetle. The man in the circle just smiled. The executive just got madder and madder. He smashed the headlights and taillights. When he looked back, the other man was snickering to himself. This so infuriated the executive that he smashed in the hood⁴ of the beetle. The other man was laughing so hard that he could barely stand up.

年轻的经理怒发冲冠，极力地压制着要揍那个司机一顿的冲动。他走下车在路边画了一个很大的圈，然后说:“你给我走到圈子里来并呆在那里，否则我要你好看!”说着他从后备箱里拿出一个轮胎铁心，然后用力将甲壳虫的挡风玻璃砸得粉碎。站在圈里的那个人只是笑了笑。乔勃快要被气疯了。他又砸碎了甲壳虫的前灯和尾灯。可当他回头看时，那一个人还在那里暗笑。他又一次被激怒了，这次他把甲壳虫的车棚也给砸了。此刻那一个人笑得都直不起腰了。

Unable to stand any more, the frustrated⁵ executive tromped away. About this time a fellow in a pick up truck pulled up and offered the VW driver a ride. "What are you laughing about? He just trashed your car.” "Well"，the other man said，" but I have gone out of that circle three times.”

乔勃再也受不了了，愤愤地离开了。这时一个拖车司机过来让那个甲壳虫司机搭便车，并问他:“刚才他在砸你的车你怎么还笑呀?”“是呀，”另一个人回答说:“可是我刚才曾经三次偷偷地溜出了圈子!”