An American General，a Russian General and a British General are standing¹ on the deck of a ship watching war exercises. The topic of discussion turns to human courage, and the Russian General boasts，"Russians are the most courageous² people on Earth!"

一位美国将军、一位俄罗斯将军和一位英国将军站在一艘船的甲板上看着军事演习他们谈论着人的勇气，这时俄罗斯将军吹嘘道:“俄罗斯的士兵是世界上最勇敢的人!”

Upon which the American challenges him: "Oh YEAH?"

对此，美国将军反问道:“哦?真的吗?”

The Russian says, "Sure! Here, Yuri! Jump off the deck ( into the freezing Atlantic) and swim around the ship!"Yuri marches off without a word, and does as he is told. The Russian turns around and says: "See，there' s an example of courage!"

俄罗斯将军说:“当然，不信看着。尤芮，从甲板上跳下去绕着船游一圈。”(下面就是冰冷的大西洋)尤芮二话没说就按命令跳了下去。俄罗斯将军转过头说:“看见了吗?这就是勇气的例子。”

The American has to top this，so he calls up one of his underlings and gives him the order: "Jack³, Jump off the main mast into the ocean，and swim around the ship seventimes!"

Poor Jack goes off without a murmur⁴, and he too does as he is told. The American General says: "Now top that for courage!"

美国将军不服气，所以就叫来他的一个部下命令道:“杰克，从桅杆上跳下去，然后绕着船游七圈。”可怜的杰克没吭一声地服从了命令。然后，美国将军说:“这才叫做勇气。”

So they both turn around to the British General who has been standing around watching these antics silently. They ask him:“What about your people?"

接着他们都转向了一直站在旁边静静观看的英国将军，然后他们问他:“你们的人怎么样?”

So the British guy(alls up one of his people and says: "Trevor, jump off the mast and swim under the keel of the ship, will you , old chap?"

英国将军叫来了一个人说:“特雷弗，从桅杆上跳下去，然后从船底下游过去，听见了吗，老家伙?”

Trevor stares at his general.

特雷弗瞪着他的将军。

"Let me get this right. You want me to jump off the mast."

“你的意思是说让我从桅杆上跳下去。”

"Yes."

“对。”

"And swim under the keel."

“然后从船底下游过去。”

"Yes."

“对。”

"You must be daft!"

“你一定是发疯了！”

And so saying, Trevor turns around and saunters off. Whereupon the British General turns to the other two and says，"Now there’s an example of TRUE courage!"

说着，特雷弗转过身去，闲庭漫步般走去。于是英国将军转过来对那两个人说:“现在这才叫真正的勇气呢!”