A story is told about a Swede who wanted to join Napoleon’s grand army. One evening some of Napoleon’s soldiers were drinking together when a young Frenchman brought a friend to their table. He explained that his friend was a Swede and knew no French, but he admired Napoleon so much that he wanted to join French army and fight for him.

The soldiers looked up and saw a tall man with blue eyes, a friendly face, and string arms and broad shoulders. They like him at once.

The officers saw he was just right sort of man. So they accepted him. And he became one of Napoleon’s soldiers. His new friends smoothed away the difficulties. He fought bravely in many battles and gained their respect. However his knowledge of French remained very weak because he was not good at learning languages. But this did not prevent him from fighting hard.

Several years later, word came that Napoleon himself was coming to inspect them and the Swede was warmed that the great man might probably ask him some questions. There was some difficulty in explaining this to the Swede, but when at last he understood he looked very anxious.

“The Swede won’t understand the questions,” said one of the Frenchmen, “What can he do?”

It was well known that Napoleon always asked the same three questions and usually in the same order. The first question was, “How old are you?” The second was, “How long have you been in my army?” And the third was, “Did you serve in either of my last two campaigns?” Of course, the Swede could not possibly remember all these words. And so his friend decided to teach him only the answers in the proper order. They gave him a lot of practice. When it was possible, one of them stopped him and made him stand at attention and asked him the three questions. “How old are you?” demanded his friend. The Swede would answer, “Twenty three, sir.” Then his friend asked, “How long have you been in my army?” the Swede would answer, “Three years, sir.” To the third question, “Did you serve in either of my last two campaigns?” the Swede would answer with pride, “Both, sir!”

This practice continued for many days. The Swede used to walk out, saying to himself, “Twenty three, sir. Three years, sir. both, sir!” Before the day of the inspections, his friends were satisfied. He knew his words. There ought to be no trouble.

Napoleon arrived. Standing in front of the straight lines of soldiers, he looked at them with great satisfaction. Then he began to walk along the lines, smiling friendly sometimes, and saying a few words here and there. The Swede stood quite still, except that his lips moved slightly. He was still practicing.

Suddenly Napoleon caught sight of the tall soldier and realized at once that he had never seen him before. He stopped in front of him

And asked his three questions. “How many years have you been in my army?” demanded he.

“Twenty three, sir,” said the Swede clearly and well.

Napoleon was surprised, he looked at tall soldier and asked him, “How old are you, then?”

“Three years, sir.” replied the Swede bravely and quickly.

Napoleon was astonished. “Either you are mad or I am,” declared he.

“Both, sir.” cried the Swede proudly.

拿破仑曾是法国的皇帝，也是一位著名的军事统帅。他很关心他的士兵，常下连队和士兵拉家常，也时常检阅部队。一个年轻的瑞典人非常崇拜拿破仑，经他的老乡介绍，他终于成为了拿破仑的一名士兵。但这个瑞典人不会讲英语，他担心由于语言不通，和拿破仑说话时会出现尴尬或麻烦。他的老乡告诉他不要担心，因为拿破仑总是按同样的顺序问三个同样的问题。
第一个问题是：“你多大了？”
第二个问题是：“你在我的部队多久了？”
第三个问题是：“你是否参加过我指挥两次大战的一个？'"
这个瑞典人在他老乡和战友的帮助下按顺序背下了这三个问题的答案："23岁，先生"。"3年了，先生。""都是的，先生。"

有一天拿破仑来了，他站在队伍前面，用满意的目光望着士兵们。然后，他开始检阅了，一会儿微笑着看这面儿，一会儿对那儿说句话。那瑞典人一动不动地站着， 只有嘴唇在轻轻地动着。拿破仑一眼看见了这个瑞典人，觉得他很陌生。拿破仑走到他面前，开始问他问题。遗憾的是，这次拿破仑问问题的顺序变了。
他第一个问题是：你在我的部队多久了？
瑞典人回答：23年（岁），先生。
瑞典人的回答使拿破仑非常吃惊，他暗想我的部队里竟有23年兵龄的年轻老兵，真是不可思议。他又问：你多大了？
这个瑞典人满怀信心地回答：3岁（年）了，先生。
拿破仑简直气疯了，他吼道：你是疯子，还是我是疯子？
瑞典人自豪地回答：（两个）都是的，"（两次都参加了）先生。