A bureaucrat was hiking when he came upon a shepherd tending a large flock. The bureaucrat took a fancy to the sheep and asked the shepherd, “If I can guess how many there are, may I have one?” the shepherd thought it unlikely the man would
guess the exact number, so he agreed.
一个当官的在徒步旅行，这时他遇见一个牧羊人在放一大群羊。这个当官的特别喜欢羊，就问牧羊人：“如果我能猜出有多少只羊，我可以领走一只吗？”牧羊人想他不可能猜中准确的数目，就同意了。
The bureaucrat guessed, “You have 287 sheep.” The shepherd was astonished, for this
was exactly right.
当官的猜道：“你有287 只羊。”牧羊人惊呆了，因为这的确是准确的数目。
“Can I pick one out sheep now?” asked the bureaucrat. The shepherd grudgingly gave his
permission. Selecting one, the bureaucrat slung it over his shoulders to carry home.
“我可以挑一只羊了吧？”当官的问。牧羊人勉强答应。当官的挑了一只羊，把它甩到肩上就要往家里扛。
The shepherd got an idea. “If I guess your occupation,” he said, “may I have my sheep
back?” The bureaucrat was surprised, but figured there was little chance of the shepherd guessing correctly, so he went along. “You’re a bureaucrat,” announced the shepherd.
牧羊人计上心来。“如果我猜中你的身份，”他说，“我可以收回我的羊吗？”当官的感到惊奇，但想着牧羊人猜中的可能性很小，就同意了。“你是个当官的。”牧羊人猜道。
Amazed, the bureaucrat asked, “How did you know?”
当官的一愣，问道：“你是怎么猜到的？”
The shepherd replied,“ Put the dog down and we’ll talk about it.”
牧羊人回答说：“先把我的狗放下，我们再说话。”
