King Frederick the Grest of Prussia had a very fine army ， and none of the soldiers in it were finer than his Giant Guards ，who well all extremely tall men . It was difficult to find enough soldiers for these Guards ， as there were not many men who were tall enough .
翻譯：普魯士的大人物佛雷德裡克國王有一支非常優良的軍隊，但軍隊中卻沒有一個士兵能比得上他的巨人衛隊，衛兵們全是身材極為高大的漢子。要為這些衛隊招足夠的兵是困難的，因為個子夠高的漢子不多。
Frederick had made it a rule that no soldiers who did not speak German could be admitted to the Giant Guards ， and this made the work of the oficers who had to find men for them even more difficult .
翻譯：佛雷德裡克作出了一條規定，不會講德語的士兵不得加入巨人衛隊，這給必須替衛隊招兵的官員造成更大的困難。
When they had to choose between accepting or refusing a really tall man who knew no Germen ， the officers used to accept him ， and then teach him enough German to able to answer if the King questioned him .
翻譯：當官員們必須決定收下還是不收下一個不懂德語的大個子時，他們往往招收下他，然後教他足夠答話的德語，如果國王詢問他的話。
Frederick sometimes used to visit the men who were on guard around his castle at night to see that they were doing their job properly ， and it was his habit to ask each new one that he saw three questions ：'How old are you ？' 'how long have you been in my arm ？' and 'Are you satisfied with your food and you conditions ？'
翻譯：佛雷德裡克有時常去看晚上守衛在他城堡周圍的衛兵們，使他們很好的盡責，而且他有一個習慣，就是向他看見的每個新兵提三個問題：「你多大了？」「你服役了多少年？」「以及你對你的夥食和待遇滿意嗎？」
The officers of the Giant Guards therefore used to teach new soldiers who did not know German the answers to these three questions .
翻譯：因此巨人衛隊的官員們總是教不懂德語的新兵回答這三個問題。
One day ， however ， the King asked a new soldier the questions in a different order . The young soldier immediately anwsered ， 'Twenty-two years ， Your Majesty .' Frederick was very surprised . 'How old are you then ？' he asked the soldier . 'Six months ， Your Majesty ， ' came the answer .
翻譯：然後，有一天，國王用不同的順序向一個新兵提問了這些問題。他開始問：「你在我的軍中服役了多少年？」年輕的士兵馬上回答：「二十二年，陛下。」佛雷德克裡感到非常奇怪。 「那麼你多大了？」他問這個士兵。「六個月，陛下。」士兵接著回答。
At this Frederick became angry . 'Am I a fool ，or are you one ？' he asked . 'Both ，Your Majesty ， 'the soldier answered politely .
翻譯：這下佛雷德克裡火了。「到底是我傻了，還是你傻了？」他問。 「都一樣，陛下。」這個士兵有禮貌地回答。
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