ANDREW: So where are you from, John?
JOHN: I'm from Chicago.
ANDREW: Chicago? Really? So are you a...
JOHN: Wait! Don't finish your question.
ANDREW: Why not?
JOHN: I want to guess what you are going to ask me.
You are going to say: So are you a Bulls1 fan?
ANDREW: Yes, how did you know?
JOHN: Because every time I tell people I'm from Chicago,
they always ask the same question.
ANDREW: But that's because there are a lot of Bulls fans here in Taiwan.
JOHN: I can see that.
They're everywhere. Even some of my students--nine-year-old kids--they are Bulls fanatics2.
ANDREW: Do you think that's bad?
JOHN: No, I think it's amusing3. It is just a surprise to me. I like the Bulls too.
ANDREW: What do you think about Jordan quitting?
JOHN: Well, I know most Bulls fans are disappointed.
But as for me, I think it is an honorable4 decision.
ANDREW: What do you mean?
JOHN: I always think it is good to make it to the TOP, to do one's best.
But then, when you've done the best you can, it is good to sTOP there.
In English, we say: Quit while you're ahead.
ANDREW: I'm not sure I understand.
JOHN: I will say it differently then.
You know how Jordan is one of the great basketball players of all time.
ANDREW: Yes, it is obvious.
JOHN: And if he plays next year, do you think he can do better?
I mean, can he improve?
ANDREW: No, I don't see how he can. He is already at the TOP.
JOHN: Well, that's what I mean.
If he continues, he can only do the same thing again, or he can start to go downhill.
And why go downhill? Why not quit when one is at the TOP?
ANDREW: Now I understand. You think Jordan made the right decision then.
JOHN: Sure. As we say in English: Quit while you're ahead.

安德鲁：约翰，那你是哪儿人啊？
约翰：我来自芝加哥。
安德鲁：芝加哥？真的啊，那样你是
约翰：等等，别问下去。
安德鲁：为何？
约翰：我想猜你要问什么。
你要问你是公牛队球迷吗？
安德鲁：是的，你如何了解？
约翰：由于每次我跟人说我来自芝加哥
一直被问相同的问题。
安德鲁：但那是由于台湾有不少公牛队球迷。
约翰：看得出来。
到处都有球迷，连我一些九岁的学生也是公牛队迷。
安德鲁：你感觉不怎么样？
约翰：不，我感觉非常有意思，我只不过非常吃惊。我也喜欢公牛队。
安德鲁：你对乔丹退出球坛有什么怎么看？
约翰：我了解大部份的球迷都非常失望。
但我觉得这是光荣的决定。
安德鲁：如何说？
约翰：我一直认为人要尽力达到他的巅峰。
当你达到巅峰时，最好就此画下句点。
英语中叫见好就收。
安德鲁：我不太懂你的意思。
约翰：那样我换个说法。
你了解乔丹是篮坛的第一把交椅吧！
安德鲁：非常显然是。
约翰：假如他继续打到明年，你觉得他会打得更怎么样？
我是说他能进步吗？
安德鲁：我不觉得还能更好，他已经在最高峰了。
约翰：这就对了。
假如他继续打，不是保持近况，就是开始走下坡。
那为何要走下坡呢？为何不在顶尖状况下隐退呢？
安德鲁：我懂了，你觉得乔丹做了明智的抉择。
约翰：当然，就是英语说的见好就收。