The three tradesmen 三个工匠（中英）

The citizens of a certain city were debating about the best material to use in the fortifications which were about to be erected for the greater security of the town. A Carpenter got up and advised the use of wood, which he said was readily procurable and easily worked. A Stone-mason objected to wood on the ground that it was so inflammable, and recommended stones instead. Then a Tanner got on his legs and said, “In my opinion there’s nothing like leather.”

某个城镇中的居民在讨论什么样的好材料才能用于对抗敌人的进攻，从而可以确保全城人的安全。一个木匠挺身而出，主张用木头作为防御材料，既随手可得又操作简单；一个石匠毅然反对，他说木头容易被点燃，太不安全了，而他则提议用石头。接着，一个皮匠站起来，说：“依我看来，没有什么能比皮子更适合做防御工事的材料了。”