At an exhibition of the world's best swordsman, the third-place fencer took the stage.

在一场世界最佳击剑手表演中，排名第三的击剑手上场了。

A fly was released, and with an arc of his sword he cut the fly in half.

一只苍蝇放了出来，剑划了一个弧，他将苍蝇劈成了两半。

The crowd cheered.

观众欢呼起来。

Then the second-place man sliced a fly into quarters.

紧接着排名第二的人将一只苍蝇切成了四半。

A hush¹ fell in anticipation² of the world's greatest swordsman.

现场一阵沉默，人们期盼着世界上最伟大的击剑手出场。

His blade came down in a mighty³ arc - but the insect continued on its way! The crowd was aghast.

他的剑锋以一个巨大的弧线划了下来--然而那只昆虫还在继续飞行!观众被惊呆了。

The greatest swordsman had missed his target completely,

观众被惊呆了。最伟大的击剑手完全错过了他的目标，

yet he continued to smile.

然而他还在微笑着。

"Why are you so happy?" someone yelled.

“你为什么这么高兴?”有人嚷道，

"You missed!"

“你没击中!”

"Ah," replied the swordsman,

“啊，”剑手答道，

"you weren't watching very carefully.

“你刚才没有很仔细地看。

They fly lives, yes - but he will never be a father.

苍蝇还活着，是的--但他永远也做不成爸爸了。