A duke is hunting in a forest with his men-at-arms and
servants when he comes upon a tree. Archery targets are painted all over it, and
smack in the middle of each is an arrow.
"Who is this incredibly fine
archer?" cries the duke. "I must find him."
After continuing through the
forest for a few miles, he comes across a small boy carrying a bow and arrow.
Eventually the boy admits that it was he who shot the arrows plumb in the center
of all the targets.
"You didn't just walk up to the targets and hammer
the arrows into the middle, did you?" asks the duke worriedly.
"No my
lord. I shot them from 100 paces. I swear it by all that I hold holy."
"That is truly astonishing," says the duke. "I hereby admit you into my
service. But I must ask one favour in return. You must tell me how you came to
be such an outstanding shot."
"Well," said the boy, "first I fire the
arrow at the tree, and then I paint the target around it."
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