English Original
Once upon a time, there was a man who had three sons and only one possession: the family house. Loving them equally, he could not decide who should inherit it. He refused to sell the ancestral home. Finally, he proposed a solution: each son must travel the world, learn a trade, and return to perform a masterpiece. The best performance would win the house.
The sons agreed. The eldest chose to become a blacksmith, the second a barber, and the third a fencing master. They set a date to return and departed.
Each found an excellent master and learned his craft thoroughly. The blacksmith shod the king's horses, confident he would win. The barber shaved the kingdom's nobles, equally sure of victory. The fencing master endured many blows during training, determined not to let fear defeat him.
When they reunited, they sought a chance to demonstrate their skills. A hare came sprinting across the field. "Perfect timing!" exclaimed the barber. He lathered soap and, as the hare raced past at full tilt, shaved its whiskers without cutting a single hair.
"Most impressive," said the father. "The house will be yours unless your brothers surpass this."
Soon, a carriage came hurtling toward them. "Now watch me, Father!" cried the blacksmith. He chased the carriage, ripped off the four shoes from the galloping horse, and fitted four new ones without slowing it down.
"You are a clever fellow, skilled as your brother," said the father. "I truly cannot decide."
Then the third son spoke. "Father, let me show you something." As rain began to fall, he drew his sword and swung it in crisscross motions above his head. Not a drop touched him. The rain intensified into a downpour, but he swung his sword faster, remaining as dry as if sheltered.
Astonished, the father declared, "You have created the greatest masterpiece. The house is yours."
The other brothers were content and praised him. So fond of each other, they all stayed home and practiced their trades. Their great skill brought them wealth. They lived together happily into old age. When one fell ill and died, the other two were so heartbroken they also fell ill and died. United in life and death, they were laid to rest in a single grave.
中文翻译
从前，有一个人有三个儿子，唯一的财产是一栋祖传的房子。因为对三个儿子同样疼爱，他无法决定由谁来继承。他不愿卖掉祖宅。最终，他想出了一个办法：让每个儿子周游世界，学一门手艺，然后回来展示一件杰作。表现最好的人将得到房子。
儿子们同意了。老大选择当铁匠，老二当理发师，老三当击剑大师。他们约定好归期，便出发了。
每个人都找到了一位优秀的师傅，精通了自己的手艺。铁匠为国王的马钉掌，自信能赢。理发师为王国里的贵族修面，同样确信胜利。击剑大师在训练中承受了许多击打，决心不让恐惧阻碍自己。
当他们重聚时，正寻找展示技艺的机会。一只野兔飞奔过田野。“来得正好！”理发师喊道。他打好肥皂泡，在野兔全速冲过时，剃掉了它的胡须，却没有伤到它一根毫毛。
“非常出色，”父亲说。“除非你的兄弟们超越你，否则房子就是你的了。”
不久，一辆马车朝他们疾驰而来。“父亲，看我的！”铁匠喊道。他追上马车，从全速奔跑的马匹脚上扯下四个旧蹄铁，又钉上四个新的，整个过程丝毫没有减慢马的速度。
“你是个聪明的家伙，和你兄弟一样技艺高超，”父亲说。“我实在无法决定。”
这时，三儿子说话了。“父亲，也让我展示一下。”天开始下雨，他拔出剑，在头顶交叉挥舞。没有一滴雨落在他身上。雨越下越大，最后倾盆如注，但他把剑舞得越来越快，身上依然干爽，仿佛有遮棚一般。
父亲大为惊讶，宣布道：“你完成了最伟大的杰作。房子是你的了。”
另外两个兄弟心服口服，也称赞了他。他们感情深厚，于是都留在家中操持手艺。他们技艺精湛，赚了很多钱。他们一起幸福地生活到老。当其中一人生病去世后，另外两人悲痛欲绝，也相继病逝。他们生前死后都在一起，被安葬在同一个坟墓里。