A duke is hunting in a forest with his men-at-arms and servants when he comes upon a tree. Archery targets are painted all over it, and smack in the middle of each is an arrow.
“Who is this incredibly fine archer?” cries the duke. “I must find him.”
After continuing through the forest for a while, he comes across a small boy carrying a bow and arrow.
Eventually the boy admits that it was he who shot the arrows plumb in the centre of all the targets.
“You didn’t just walk up to the targets and hammer the arrows in the middle did you?” asks the duke.
“No, my lord. I shot them from 100 paces. I swear it by all that I hold holy,” the boy replies.
“That is truly astonishing,” says the duke. “I hereby admit you into my service. But I must ask one favour in return. You must tell me how you cam to be such an outstanding shot.”
“Well,” says the boy. “First I fire the arrow at the tree, and then I paint the target around it.”