As retold by Bruce Lowitt

The powerful emperor needed a new chief Samurai. So he put up posters throughout the land calling for applicants. But after five months, only three Samurai applied for the job - one Japanese, one Chinese, and Morris the butcher.

The emperor asks the Japanese to demonstrate his skills. The Japanese opens a little silver box and out comes a bee. With one swift slice of the sword, the bee falls to the ground in two pieces. Very impressive.

The emperor then asks the Chinese applicant to demonstrate why he should be his chief Samurai. The Chinese man opens a small pearl box and out comes a mosquito. With two slices, the mosquito is in four pieces.

Even more impressive.

Then the emperor asks Morris for his demonstration.

Morris opens a small gold box and out comes a gnat. Four times, Morris' sword cuts through the air -  but when he is finished the gnat is still alive and buzzing around.

The emperor expresses disappointment and asks Morris, "After all your sword play, why is the gnat not dead?"

Morris smiles and says, "A circumcision is never intended to kill."