A powerful Japanese Emperor needed a new Chief Samurai. So he sent out a declaration throughout the entire known world of that time that he was searching for a CHIEF Samurai. A year passed, but only 3 Samurai applied for the very demanding position.

The emperor asked the first Samurai to come in and demonstrate why he should be the chief Samurai. The Samurai opened a match box, and out popped a bumblebee.

Whoosh! went his sword, and the bumblebee dropped dead on the ground.

The emperor exclaimed "That is very impressive!"

The emperor then issued the same challenge to the second Samurai, to come in and demonstrate why he should be chosen. The second Samurai also opened a match box and out buzzed a fly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! and the fly dropped dead on the ground in four small pieces.

The emperor exclaimed: "That is VERY impressive!"

Now the emperor turned to the third Samurai, and asked him to demonstrate why he should be the Chief Samurai. The third Samurai also opened a match box, and out flew a tiny gnat. His flashing sword went Whoosh!

But the gnat was still flying around and very much alive.

The emperor, obviously disappointed, said: "Very ambitious, but why is that tiny gnat not dead?"

The third Samurai just smiled and said: "Circumcision is not meant to kill."