11. 其他篇#
11.1. 下金蛋的鹅#
有一对夫妇非常幸运，他们有一只每天下一枚金蛋的母鹅。尽管非常幸运，可他们很快就觉着财富增加得还不够快，不仅如此，他们还以为这只鹅的内脏肯定也是金的。于是，他们决定杀掉它，这样就能立刻得到全部珍宝了。然而，他们把鹅开膛破肚之后，却发现和其它鹅没什么两样。如此，他们既没有像当初希望得那样一夜暴富，也不能再享有财富与日俱增的好运气了。
THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGGS
A Man and his wife had the good fortune to possess a Goose which laid a golden egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon began to think they were not getting rich fast enough, and imagining the bird must be made of gold inside, they decided to kill it in order to secure the whole store of precious metal at once. But when they cut it open they found it was just like any other goose. Thus, they neither got rich all at once, as they had hoped, nor enjoyed any longer the daily addition to their wealth.
11.2. 烧炭工和漂洗工#
从前，有一个自力更生的烧炭工人独自在家工作。碰巧，一个漂洗工搬至隔壁，与他成了邻居。结识漂洗工后，烧炭工人经过了解发现，这个邻居将是一个很好的合作伙伴，就问漂洗工愿不愿意搬到他的铺子里一起工作。”那样我们会变得更加亲密，”烧炭人说，”不仅如此，我们还可以节省生活开销呢。”漂洗工却谢绝了他，回答说：“我可不这样看，先生，因为不管我把衣服漂洗得多么白，都会立刻被你的木炭染黑了。”
THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER
There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighborhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house: “We shall get to know one another better that way,” he said, “and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished.” The Fuller thanked him, but replied, “I couldn’t think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal.”
11.3. 马和马夫#
从前，有一个马夫，常常花费几个钟头来为他负责照管的马修剪和梳理毛发，可是他却每天都会偷一部分喂马的燕麦，拿去卖了以谋私利。逐渐地，马的健康状况越来越糟糕，最后忍不住对马夫大叫：“你要是真想让我看上去光滑闪亮，就应该少给我梳毛，多喂我燕麦。”
THE HORSE AND THE GROOM
There was once a Groom who used to spend long hours clipping and combing the Horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a portion of his allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit. The Horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried to the Groom, “If you really want me to look sleek and well, you must comb me less and feed me more.”
Moral
Beauty comes from within, in the form of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
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11.4. 孔雀与鹤#
孔雀嘲讽鹤的羽毛色泽暗淡，她奚落道：“看看我的羽毛，多么鲜艳华丽呀，比你那灰暗难看的羽毛强出百倍。””我不否认，”鹤说道，“你的羽毛比我的华丽，可是，要说到飞行能力，我翅膀上的羽毛能在空中翱翔，而你却只能像公鸡一样，在地上行走。”
THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE
A Peacock taunted a Crane with the dullness of her plumage. “Look at my brilliant colors,” said she, “and see how much finer they are than your poor feathers.” “I am not denying,” replied the Crane, “that yours are far gayer than mine; but when it comes to flying I can soar into the clouds, whereas you are confined to the earth like any dunghill cock.”
11.5. 败家子与燕子#
一个败家子因为挥霍无度而白白耗费了所有的财产。在一个早春的日子里，除了身上的衣服之外，已经别无所有的他，看到一只燕子。他心里想着，应该是夏天来临，可以不再需要身上的外套了。于是，他出去想卖掉外套，换点什么东西。不料，天气骤变，忽然降临的一场霜冻冻死了不幸的燕子。败家子看到燕子的尸体后，大喊道：“可怜的小鸟！都是因为你，我才会也跟着挨冻呀。”
THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW
A Spendthrift, who had wasted his fortune, and had nothing left but the clothes in which he stood, saw a Swallow one fine day in early spring. Thinking that summer had come, and that he could now do without his coat, he went and sold it for what it would fetch. A change, however, took place in the weather, and there came a sharp frost which killed the unfortunate Swallow. When the Spendthrift saw its dead body he cried, “Miserable bird! Thanks to you I am perishing of cold myself.”
11.6. 老太婆与医生#
有个老太婆，几乎因为眼疾而失明了，在咨询过医生之后，他们达成了协议：如果医生能治好她的病，她将支付高额费用；如果医生治不好她的病，她就分文不给。根据疗程计划，医生定期来她家里进行治疗，而且，每次来时总会顺手牵羊地偷走一些物品。终于，当他来做最后一次治疗时，老太婆家里的东西已经所剩无几了。虽然眼疾治好了，但是看到家里空荡荡的，老太婆便拒绝支付医疗费，几次三番地拒付之后，医生便起诉了老太婆，让法官帮他追讨欠款。被带到法官那里时，老太婆已经准备好为自己辩护了。她说：“原告的确如实地陈述了我们之间的协议，我曾经许诺过，如果他能治好我的病，就会支付给他治疗费，而且，他也曾应允过我，如果治不好我的病，就分文不取。现在，他说我已经痊愈了，可是我认为我的眼睛比以前更瞎了，就此而言，我完全能证明情况属实。以前，当我的视力下降之后，尚且能看见家里的一些家具和物品，可是现在，当医生说我已经痊愈时，我却看不见任何东西了。”
THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR
An Old Woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the eyes, and, after consulting a Doctor, made an agreement with him in the presence of witnesses that she should pay him a high fee if he cured her, while if he failed he was to receive nothing. The Doctor accordingly prescribed a course of treatment, and every time he paid her a visit he took away with him some article out of the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last time, and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the Old Woman saw that the house was empty she refused to pay him his fee; and, after repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into court she was ready with her defense. “The claimant,” said she, “has stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I undertook to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to charge nothing if he failed. Now, he says I am cured; but I say that I am blinder than ever, and I can prove what I say. When my eyes were bad I could at any rate see well enough to be aware that my house contained a certain amount of furniture and other things; but now, when according to him I am cured, I am entirely unable to see anything there at all.”
Moral
He who plays a trick must be prepared to take a joke.
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11.7. 月亮和妈妈#
有一次，月亮祈求妈妈给她做一件长袍。”怎么做呀？”妈妈回答说，“根本没有适合你的尺寸呀。你有时是新月，有时又是满月，而且你时常变化着。”
THE MOON AND HER MOTHER
The Moon once begged her Mother to make her a gown. “How can I?” replied she; “there’s no fitting your figure. At one time you’re a New Moon, and at another you’re a Full Moon; and between whiles you’re neither one nor the other.”
Moral
It is always good to think about our wishes from a practical point of view.
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11.8. 墨丘利和樵夫#
有一个樵夫正在河边砍树，突然，就在他将斧子抽离树干的一刹那，斧子从他的手中滑落，掉进了水里。他站在水边悲叹那丢失了的斧子时，墨丘利出现了，问他为什么如此伤心。问清缘由之后，出于对樵夫的同情，墨丘利跳进河里，举起一把金灿灿的斧子问他，这是不是他丢失了的那一把。樵夫说这不是他丢的。于是，墨丘利又跳进河中，捞起一把银光闪闪的斧子，问他是不是这一把。”不是，这也不是我丢的。”樵夫回答道。墨丘利再一次跳进河里，捞起那把樵夫真正丢失了的斧子。看到失而复得的斧子，樵夫喜出望外，对墨丘利感激万分。然而，墨丘利也很赞赏樵夫的忠厚老实，就将另外两把斧子作为礼物送给了他。樵夫把自己的经历讲给同伴听，其中一个人十分羡慕他的好运气，决定也去碰一碰运气。于是，他也来到河畔砍树，并故意将自己的斧子丢入河中。墨丘利像以前一样出现了，知道樵夫的斧子落入水中之后，他像上次一样跳进河里捞起一把金斧子。还没等到墨丘利开口问他，这个人就大喊道：”是我的，这就是我的斧子。”并且迫切地伸手想去拿那把斧子，但墨丘利对他的不诚实很气愤，不仅拒绝把金斧子送给他，而且还拒绝帮他寻找掉入水中的那把斧子。
MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN
A Woodman was felling a tree on the bank of a river, when his axe, glancing off the trunk, flew out of his hands and fell into the water. As he stood by the water’s edge lamenting his loss, Mercury appeared and asked him the reason for his grief; and on learning what had happened, out of pity for his distress he dived into the river and, bringing up a golden axe, asked him if that was the one he had lost. The Woodman replied that it was not, and Mercury then dived a second time, and, bringing up a silver axe, asked if that was his. “No, that is not mine either,” said the Woodman. Once more Mercury dived into the river, and brought up the missing axe. The Woodman was overjoyed at recovering his property, and thanked his benefactor warmly; and the latter was so pleased with his honesty that he made him a present of the other two axes. When the Woodman told the story to his companions, one of these was filled with envy of his good fortune and determined to try his luck for himself. So he went and began to fell a tree at the edge of the river, and presently contrived to let his axe drop into the water. Mercury appeared as before, and, on learning that his axe had fallen in, he dived and brought up a golden axe, as he had done on the previous occasion. Without waiting to be asked whether it was his or not the fellow cried, “That’s mine, that’s mine,” and stretched out his hand eagerly for the prize: but Mercury was so disgusted at his dishonesty that he not only declined to give him the golden axe, but also refused to recover for him the one he had let fall into the stream.
11.9. 乌鸦和水罐#
一只口渴的乌鸦发现了一个大水罐，虽然里面没有多少水，但毕竟也能解解渴，于是她想尽办法用自己的长喙去接触水面，然而，尽管救命之水就在跟前，可她却无能为力。最后，她想出一条妙计。乌鸦开始用嘴叼着石子投到水罐里，每丢进去一粒石子，水面就会上升一点。终于，水面上升到了乌鸦的嘴边，她高兴地喝到了水，解了口渴。
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER
A thirsty Crow found a Pitcher with some water in it, but so little was there that, try as she might, she could not reach it with her beak, and it seemed as though she would die of thirst within sight of the remedy. At last she hit upon a clever plan. She began dropping pebbles into the Pitcher, and with each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it reached the brim, and the knowing bird was enabled to quench her thirst.
11.10. 北风与太阳#
北风与太阳争论不休，双方都在强调自己的能量更大。最后，他们一致赞同在一个行人身上试验自己的力量，看看谁能够最快速地让行人脱下衣服。北风先开始发威，他用尽全身力气攻击行人，猛烈的旋风向着行人袭来，并且拖住他的衣角以便使行人身上的衣服自行脱落；然而，风吹得越猛烈，这个行人越是紧紧裹住了自己的衣服。接下来，该太阳上场了。太阳开始温和地照耀着行人，行人很快就边走边解开衣服上的扣子，将其松散地搭在肩上；接着，太阳强烈地发光射向大地，已经走了很久的行人开心地脱掉衣服，轻装上阵。
THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN
A dispute arose between the North Wind and the Sun, each claiming that he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed to try their powers upon a traveler, to see which could soonest strip him of his cloak. The North Wind had the first try; and, gathering up all his force for the attack, he came whirling furiously down upon the man, and caught up his cloak as though he would wrest it from him by one single effort: but the harder he blew, the more closely the man wrapped it round himself. Then came the turn of the Sun. At first he beamed gently upon the traveler, who soon unclasped his cloak and walked on with it hanging loosely about his shoulders: then he shone forth in his full strength, and the man, before he had gone many steps, was glad to throw his cloak right off and complete his journey more lightly clad.
11.11. 女主人和仆人#
一个寡妇，既节俭又勤劳，她对两个仆人的要求也相当严厉。每当公鸡一打鸣，这个老女人就叫她们起来去干活，不让她们多睡一会儿。仆人们都不喜欢在这么早的时间起床，尤其是在冬天里，她们以为，若是那只公鸡不在这么早的时候叫醒女主人，她们还能多睡一会儿。于是，她们捉住公鸡，拧断了它的脖子。但是，她们并没有预料到更严重的后果。女主人听不到公鸡的叫声了，却比往常更早地叫醒她们，在半夜里就让她们去干活。
THE MISTRESS AND HER SERVANTS
A Widow, thrifty and industrious, had two servants, whom she kept pretty hard at work. They were not allowed to lie long abed in the mornings, but the old lady had them up and doing as soon as the cock crew. They disliked intensely having to get up at such an hour, especially in winter-time: and they thought that if it were not for the cock waking up their Mistress so horribly early, they could sleep longer. So they caught it and wrung its neck. But they weren’t prepared for the consequences. For what happened was that their Mistress, not hearing the cock crow as usual, waked them up earlier than ever, and set them to work in the middle of the night.
Moral
Never take shortcuts that can have negative consequences.
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11.12. 善与恶#
世界形成之初，善与恶平等地并存于人心，这样一来，善不曾受称赞，恶也不曾遭唾弃。但是，由于人类的愚蠢，恶开始成倍增加，其力量也相继强大起来，后来似乎要剥夺所有善应占有的份额，将其驱逐出地球。因此，力量弱小的善努力回到了天上，向朱庇特（即宙斯，罗马神话中的主神）抱怨自己的遭遇，同时祈请他同意自己对恶的防卫，并且还征询重返人间的建议。朱庇特同意了他们寻求庇护的请求，并且还下令让他们将来不要公然地进入人间，因为这样易于受到心怀敌意的邪恶攻击，而是要逐一悄然地回归，不要太频繁，应在人们的意料之外。由此，这个地球上充满了邪恶，因为他们可以随意地往返，而且永远不会远离人类，而善则只能一个一个地来，他们要想方设法地从天上下来，必须悄悄地，才能不被发现。
THE GOODS AND THE ILLS
There was a time in the youth of the world when Goods and Ills entered equally into the concerns of men, so that the Goods did not prevail to make them altogether blessed, nor the Ills to make them wholly miserable. But owing to the foolishness of mankind the Ills multiplied greatly in number and increased in strength, until it seemed as though they would deprive the Goods of all share in human affairs, and banish them from the earth. The latter, therefore, betook themselves to heaven and complained to Jupiter of the treatment they had received, at the same time praying him to grant them protection from the Ills, and to advise them concerning the manner of their intercourse with men. Jupiter granted their request for protection, and decreed that for the future they should not go among men openly in a body, and so be liable to attack from the hostile Ills, but singly and unobserved, and at infrequent and unexpected intervals. Hence it is that the earth is full of Ills, for they come and go as they please and are never far away; while Goods, alas! come one by one only, and have to travel all the way from heaven, so that they are very seldom seen.
Moral
Good things don’t come easily; you must be mindful of the difficult journey they take to get to you, and be grateful for them when they arrive.
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11.13. 牛棚里的雄鹿#
一只雄鹿被猎狗赶出了巢穴，只得躲进一个农家小院里。他闯进了一个满是公牛的牛棚里，拼命挤进空牛栏的干草堆中，藏了起来，但是他的鹿角却一直露在外面。不久，一头公牛对他说：”是什么原因让你到这里来自投罗网呢？待在这里很危险，会被牧人抓走的，你知不知道？”雄鹿回答说：”求求你，就让我在这里待一会儿吧。当夜幕降临后，我就能有机会在黑暗中逃走了。”整个下午都很平安，虽然有几个雇工来牛棚照料牛群，但是没有一个人注意到雄鹿的存在，雄鹿一边暗自庆幸可以平安逃走，一边对公牛表示感激。”我们都希望你能平安，”先前曾和雄鹿讲话的那头公牛又开口了，”但是，你还没有完全脱离危险。如果主人来了，你可能就会被发现，因为没有什么能逃出他的眼睛。”正说着，农场主来了，开始抱怨工人没有好好照料牛群。”牲口都饿着呢，”他大喊道，”这里再多加点干草，要给他们足够的铺垫。”他一边说着话，一边查看着雄鹿躲身的干草堆，立刻就认出了雄鹿。于是，他叫来帮工，立刻抓住雄鹿并杀死它美餐了一顿。
THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL
A Stag, chased from his lair by the hounds, took refuge in a farmyard, and, entering a stable where a number of oxen were stalled, thrust himself under a pile of hay in a vacant stall, where he lay concealed, all but the tips of his horns. Presently one of the Oxen said to him, “What has induced you to come in here? Aren’t you aware of the risk you are running of being captured by the herdsmen?” To which he replied, “Pray let me stay for the present. When night comes I shall easily escape under cover of the dark.” In the course of the afternoon more than one of the farm-hands came in, to attend to the wants of the cattle, but not one of them noticed the presence of the Stag, who accordingly began to congratulate himself on his escape and to express his gratitude to the Oxen. “We wish you well,” said the one who had spoken before, “but you are not out of danger yet. If the master comes, you will certainly be found out, for nothing ever escapes his keen eyes.” Presently, sure enough, in he came, and made a great to-do about the way the Oxen were kept. “The beasts are starving,” he cried; “here, give them more hay, and put plenty of litter under them.” As he spoke, he seized an armful himself from the pile where the Stag lay concealed, and at once detected him. Calling his men, he had him seized at once and killed for the table.
Moral
He who takes risks without due caution will likely suffer dire consequences.
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11.14. 挤奶女孩和她的桶#
一个农场主的女儿挤完牛奶后，头顶着一桶牛奶，从田野里走回农庄。她边走边开始想入非非：”从这桶牛奶里可以得到奶酪，也能得到奶油，就可以拿到市场上去卖。用卖得的钱，我还可以买回一些鸡蛋。这些鸡蛋还可以再孵出成群的小鸡。如此算来，我就能拥有一个大型的家禽场了。然后，我再卖掉那些牲畜，用卖得的钱，我就能买一条漂亮的长裙子，可以穿着到集市上去；年轻的小伙子们都会赞美裙子，都会过来向我示爱，而我却要摇摇头，什么也不说。”想到这里，她完全忘记了头顶上的桶，配合着自己的想法，她真的摇起头来。结果，头顶上的牛奶桶掉在了地上，所有的牛奶都洒出来了，她的美妙幻想也随之消失了。
THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL
A farmer’s daughter had been out to milk the cows, and was returning to the dairy carrying her pail of milk upon her head. As she walked along, she fell a-musing after this fashion: “The milk in this pail will provide me with cream, which I will make into butter and take to market to sell. With the money I will buy a number of eggs, and these, when hatched, will produce chickens, and by and by I shall have quite a large poultry-yard. Then I shall sell some of my fowls, and with the money which they will bring in I will buy myself a new gown, which I shall wear when I go to the fair; and all the young fellows will admire it, and come and make love to me, but I shall toss my head and have nothing to say to them.” Forgetting all about the pail, and suiting the action to the word, she tossed her head. Down went the pail, all the milk was spilled, and all her fine castles in the air vanished in a moment!
Moral
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
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11.15. 海豚、鲸和西鲱鱼#
海豚与鲸争吵起来，他们之间已经争斗了很久。战争进一步升级，并且越打越猛烈，根本没有一点要停的迹象，有一条西鲱鱼认为自己或许能够调停他们的战争，便过去准备劝他们停止争斗，成为朋友。但是，海豚轻蔑地对他说：“我们宁可争斗到同归于尽，也不会让一条像你这样的西鲱鱼来调解！”
THE DOLPHINS, THE WHALES, AND THE SPRAT
The Dolphins quarreled with the Whales, and before very long they began fighting with one another. The battle was very fierce, and had lasted some time without any sign of coming to an end, when a Sprat thought that perhaps he could stop it; so he stepped in and tried to persuade them to give up fighting and make friends. But one of the Dolphins said to him contemptuously, “We would rather go on fighting till we’re all killed than be reconciled by a Sprat like you!”
Moral
When helping others, it is important to consider one’s own abilities, as well as different environments and events to help.
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11.16. 冷杉与荆棘#
一棵冷杉树用轻蔑的口吻对着荆棘夸口道：”你这可怜的东西，一点用处也没有。你看看我，我可是对万物都有益处，尤其是当人类要盖房子的时候，没有我根本就不行。”但是荆棘回答：“是啊！那的确很好。不过，等到他们拿着斧头和锯来把你砍倒时，你就会希望自己是荆棘，而不是冷杉树了。”
THE FIR-TREE AND THE BRAMBLE
A Fir-tree was boasting to a Bramble, and said, somewhat contemptuously, “You poor creature, you are of no use whatever. Now, look at me: I am useful for all sorts of things, particularly when men build houses; they can’t do without me then.” But the Bramble replied, “Ah, that’s all very well: but you wait till they come with axes and saws to cut you down, and then you’ll wish you were a Bramble and not a Fir.”
Moral
Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many obligations.
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11.17. 蠓虫和公牛#
一只蠓虫偶然发现了公牛头上的角，便停留在上面很长一段时间。等他歇够了脚，准备飞走时，对公牛说：”我现在飞走，你不介意吧？”公牛仅仅抬眼看了看，不感兴趣地说：“对我来说都一样。我甚至都没有注意到你过来，当然也不想知道你什么时候走。”
THE GNAT AND THE BULL
A Gnat alighted on one of the horns of a Bull, and remained sitting there for a considerable time. When it had rested sufficiently and was about to fly away, it said to the Bull, “Do you mind if I go now?” The Bull merely raised his eyes and remarked, without interest, “It’s all one to me; I didn’t notice when you came, and I shan’t know when you go away.”
Moral
We may often be of more consequence in our own eyes than in the eyes of our neighbors.
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11.18. 熊和旅人#
两个朋友一同出游，途中突然遇到一只大熊。还没等熊看到他们，其中一个立即闪电般地抢先爬上树，躲了起来。而另一个眼见逃生无望，便灵机一动躺倒在地上，假装死了。熊走到他跟前，用鼻子在他脸上嗅了嗅，转身就走了，但他依然屏住呼吸、安然不动，因为他们听说，熊从来不碰死人。熊还真把他当成了死人，径自走开了。躲在树上的人下来后，问躺在地上的朋友，熊在他耳边说了些什么。那人委婉地回答说：“熊告诉我，今后千万注意，别和那些不能共患难的朋友一起同行。”
THE BEAR AND THE TRAVELLERS
Two Travelers were on the road together, when a Bear suddenly appeared on the scene. Before he observed them, one made for a tree at the side of the road, and climbed up into the branches and hid there. The other was not so nimble as his companion; and, as he could not escape, he threw himself on the ground and pretended to be dead. The Bear came up and sniffed all round him, but he kept perfectly still and held his breath: for they say that a bear will not touch a dead body. The Bear took him for a corpse, and went away. When the coast was clear, the Traveler in the tree came down, and asked the other what it was the Bear had whispered to him when he put his mouth to his ear. The other replied, “He told me never again to travel with a friend who deserts you at the first sign of danger.”
11.19. 奴隶和狮子#
一个奴隶因不堪忍受主人的残暴虐待而逃跑了，为了避免被抓住，他逃进了沙漠中。正当他思忖着该如何寻找食物和栖身之地时，来到了一个洞穴前，他走进去看了看，空无一人。然而，这是一个狮子的巢穴，就在这时，狮子出现了，可怜的逃亡者吓呆了。他认定自己无处可逃，然而，完全出乎他的意料，狮子不但没有扑过来吃掉他，反而过来巴巴地讨好他，一边哭诉着，一边抬起自己的爪子。看到那个爪子又肿又胀，还在发炎，逃亡者认真地检查了一下，发现有一根刺深嵌入狮子的脚掌里。他慢慢地拔出了那根刺，尽可能地处理好伤口，过了一阵，伤口自然就痊愈了。狮子对他感激不尽，将他当成了自己的朋友，从此他们一起分享这个洞穴。过了一段时间，有一天，奴隶开始渴望回到人类的社会生活中，他向狮子告别，然后回到镇子上。他一出现，立刻就被认出来，接着就被带上镣铐，送到了前主人那里。主人惩罚了他以示警戒，并且还命令道，在下次马戏表演时应该把他扔给野兽。就在性命攸关的那一天，野兽都被释放进竞技场后，其中有一头体态肥硕的狮子，跑到他跟前，带着喜爱和高兴的表情趴在他脚边。这正是他在洞里生活时的老朋友！观众都嚷嚷着应该饶了这个奴隶的命，镇子上的官员也惊讶于一头野兽的感恩与忠诚，下令让奴隶和狮子都获得自由。
THE SLAVE AND THE LION
A Slave ran away from his master, by whom he had been most cruelly treated, and, in order to avoid capture, betook himself into the desert. As he wandered about in search of food and shelter, he came to a cave, which he entered and found to be unoccupied. Really, however, it was a Lion’s den, and almost immediately, to the horror of the wretched fugitive, the Lion himself appeared. The man gave himself up for lost: but, to his utter astonishment, the Lion, instead of springing upon him and devouring him, came and fawned upon him, at the same time whining and lifting up his paw. Observing it to be much swollen and inflamed, he examined it and found a large thorn embedded in the ball of the foot. He accordingly removed it and dressed the wound as well as he could: and in course of time it healed up completely. The Lion’s gratitude was unbounded; he looked upon the man as his friend, and they shared the cave for some time together. A day came, however, when the Slave began to long for the society of his fellow-men, and he bade farewell to the Lion and returned to the town. Here he was presently recognized and carried off in chains to his former master, who resolved to make an example of him, and ordered that he should be thrown to the beasts at the next public spectacle in the theatre. On the fatal day the beasts were loosed into the arena, and among the rest a Lion of huge bulk and ferocious aspect; and then the wretched Slave was cast in among them. What was the amazement of the spectators, when the Lion after one glance bounded up to him and lay down at his feet with every expression of affection and delight! It was his old friend of the cave! The audience clamored that the Slave’s life should be spared: and the governor of the town, marveling at such gratitude and fidelity in a beast, decreed that both should receive their liberty.
11.20. 跳蚤和人#
一只小跳蚤咬了一个人，并且一次又一次地不停咬他，这个人再也忍受不了了，全身上下找了一遍之后，终于抓住了那只跳蚤。他用食指和拇指捏着跳蚤说，或者可能因为生气，几乎是怒吼道：”你是谁？你这个让人厌恶的小生命，为何在我身上如此放肆？”受了惊吓的跳蚤小声呜咽道：”哦，先生，求你饶了我吧，千万别捏死我！我就是一个小东西，不会给你带来多大伤害的。”然而，那人笑着说：“我现在就要杀死你，马上执行，只要是坏东西，就一定要被消灭，无论造成的伤害有多轻微。”
THE FLEA AND THE MAN
A Flea bit a Man, and bit him again, and again, till he could stand it no longer, but made a thorough search for it, and at last succeeded in catching it. Holding it between his finger and thumb, he said—or rather shouted, so angry was he—“Who are you, pray, you wretched little creature, that you make so free with my person?” The Flea, terrified, whimpered in a weak little voice, “Oh, sir! pray let me go; don’t kill me! I am such a little thing that I can’t do you much harm.” But the Man laughed and said, “I am going to kill you now, at once: whatever is bad has got to be destroyed, no matter how slight the harm it does.”
11.21. 蜜蜂与朱庇特#
一只来自伊米托斯山的蜂王飞到奥林匹斯山上，将蜂巢里刚产出的新鲜蜂蜜当做礼物送给了朱庇特，朱庇特很喜欢这份礼物，便答应满足她的任何请求。蜂王说，如果能赐予蜜蜂们蜂针，从而能够惩治那些偷走蜂蜜的人，她就不胜感激了。朱庇特听到她的请求很不高兴，因为他爱着人类；但是他必须得履行诺言，于是他说可以让蜜蜂拥有蜂针。然而，他赐予蜜蜂的针却是一种特殊的刺，只要刺一回人，蜂针就会折断，蜜蜂自己也会随之而死。
THE BEE AND JUPITER
A Queen Bee from Hymettus flew up to Olympus with some fresh honey from the hive as a present to Jupiter, who was so pleased with the gift that he promised to give her anything she liked to ask for. She said she would be very grateful if he would give stings to the bees, to kill people who robbed them of their honey. Jupiter was greatly displeased with this request, for he loved mankind: but he had given his word, so he said that stings they should have. The stings he gave them, however, were of such a kind that whenever a bee stings a man the sting is left in the wound and the bee dies.
11.22. 橡树与芦苇#
一棵长在河边的橡树被一阵狂风连根拔起，并且被甩到了河对岸。橡树掉入了水边的芦苇丛中，于是对芦苇说：“我这么强壮，都能被狂风连根拔起、落入水中，而你们如此脆弱纤细，究竟是如何渡过难关的？””你太顽固了，”芦苇回答道，“总爱逆风对抗，可是风却比你更厉害；而我们甚至对微风也卑躬屈膝，所以强风才会无害地吹过我们的头顶。”
THE OAK AND THE REEDS
An Oak that grew on the bank of a river was uprooted by a severe gale of wind, and thrown across the stream. It fell among some Reeds growing by the water, and said to them, “How is it that you, who are so frail and slender, have managed to weather the storm, whereas I, with all my strength, have been torn up by the roots and hurled into the river?” “You were stubborn,” came the reply, “and fought against the storm, which proved stronger than you: but we bow and yield to every breeze, and thus the gale passed harmlessly over our heads.”
Moral
Better to yield when it is folly to resist than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed. It is better to bend than break. It is better to be flexible than stubborn. Never be so proud of yourself. One should be humble always. Pride goes before a fall.
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11.23. 盲人与小野兽#
从前，有一个人眼睛虽然瞎了，可是他精于触觉，只要用手摸一摸，凭借着触感便能说出这是什么动物。有一天，一只小狼崽被送到了他的手中，请他告知这是什么东西。他用手摸了一会儿，然后说：“我不太确定，这到底是一只小狼崽，还是一只狐狸的幼崽，但是有一点我十分确定，千万不要让它进羊圈。”
THE BLIND MAN AND THE CUB
There was once a Blind Man who had so fine a sense of touch that, when any animal was put into his hands, he could tell what it was merely by the feel of it. One day the Cub of a Wolf was put into his hands, and he was asked what it was. He felt it for some time, and then said, “Indeed, I am not sure whether it is a Wolf’s Cub or a Fox’s: but this I know—it would never do to trust it in a sheepfold.”
11.24. 男孩和蜗牛#
一个乡下少年到处寻找蜗牛，当他双手都塞满了蜗牛后，就准备点火烤着吃。火点着了，蜗牛也开始感觉到热了，他们纷纷退向坚壳的深处，同时还发出”咝咝”的噪音。男孩子听到了蜗牛发出的嘘声，便说：“你们这些连命都快没有了的家伙，怎么还能有心情在窝里着火时吹口哨呢？”
THE BOY AND THE SNAILS
A Farmer’s Boy went looking for Snails, and, when he had picked up both his hands full, he set about making a fire at which to roast them; for he meant to eat them. When it got well alight and the Snails began to feel the heat, they gradually withdrew more and more into their shells with the hissing noise they always make when they do so. When the Boy heard it, he said, “You abandoned creatures, how can you find heart to whistle when your houses are burning?”
Moral
Anything which is done at the wrong time is liable to be ridiculed.
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11.25. 猿猴和两个旅人#
有两个人一起去旅行，其中一个从不说实话，另一个却从不说谎话。他们碰巧走进了猿猴国。听说有人闯进自己的领土，猿猴王就吩咐手下将这两人捉拿归案，为了让他们对猿猴国的富丽堂皇印象深刻，他令所有的猿猴在两边分别列队，自己则坐在中间的王位上接待他们。一切准备妥当后，那两人被带到猴王面前，猴王询问他们如何看待面前的这个猴王。爱说谎的人回答说：“任何人都能看出来，您就是一个最高贵、最有权力的国王。””那么，你如何看待旁边的这些随从呢？”猴王接着问。那人连忙说：”他们都是猴王您的得力干将。”猴王听到他的这番恭维十分高兴，给了他丰盛的礼物。另外一个说真话的人心里暗自琢磨，若是同伴的一番谎话都能得到如此丰厚的回报，那么，我这样一个说实话的老实人，肯定会得到比他更多的奖赏了。于是，当猿猴国王转过身来问他：”先生，您是怎么看的呢？”他回答道：”我认为，您是一只最优秀的猿猴，而您的所有随从也还可以。”猿猴国王听到这些真话后恼羞成怒，下令将说真话的人带走，处以死刑。
THE APES AND THE TWO TRAVELLERS
Two men were travelling together, one of whom never spoke the truth, whereas the other never told a lie: and they came in the course of their travels to the land of Apes. The King of the Apes, hearing of their arrival, ordered them to be brought before him; and by way of impressing them with his magnificence, he received them sitting on a throne, while the Apes, his subjects, were ranged in long rows on either side of him. When the Travellers came into his presence he asked them what they thought of him as a King. The lying Traveller said, “Sire, every one must see that you are a most noble and mighty monarch.” “And what do you think of my subjects?” continued the King. “They,” said the Traveller, “are in every way worthy of their royal master.” The Ape was so delighted with his answer that he gave him a very handsome present. The other Traveller thought that if his companion was rewarded so splendidly for telling a lie, he himself would certainly receive a still greater reward for telling the truth; so, when the Ape turned to him and said, “And what, sir, is your opinion?” he replied, “I think you are a very fine Ape, and all your subjects are fine Apes too.” The King of the Apes was so enraged at his reply that he ordered him to be taken away and clawed to death.
Moral
Honesty is always the best policy. It is better to tell the truth than to tell a lie, even if the consequences of telling the truth may be unpleasant.
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11.26. 渔夫和小鲱鱼#
渔夫将网撒向大海，当他再次收网时，只看到一条翻腾着想回大海里去的小鲱鱼。”我只是一条小鱼，”可怜的小鱼说，”但是我总有一天会长大，等我长大后，你再来抓我，那时才会对你更有好处。”然而，渔夫却回答说：“不行，我现在就要留下你来，如果我放你回去，还会再看到你吗？绝对不会了！”
THE FISHERMAN AND THE SPRAT
A Fisherman cast his net into the sea, and when he drew it up again it contained nothing but a single Sprat that begged to be put back into the water. “I’m only a little fish now,” it said, “but I shall grow big one day, and then if you come and catch me again I shall be of some use to you.” But the Fisherman replied, “Oh, no, I shall keep you now I’ve got you: if I put you back, should I ever see you again? Not likely!”
Moral
Do not be greedy; think of the future when making decisions.
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11.27. 吹牛的路人#
有一个人曾经出国去旅行，回家后他就大肆吹嘘在异国他乡曾有过的那些奇妙经历。其中，他就提到曾在罗德岛参加过跳远比赛，而且还得了第一名。”只要去罗德岛问问当地人，”他说，”他们都会告诉你这是真的。”当时在场的一个人对他说：“如果你现在也能跳得那么远，我们根本就不需要去罗德岛找证据了。我们姑且暂时把这里当做是罗德岛，你跳吧！”
THE BOASTING TRAVELLER
A Man once went abroad on his travels, and when he came home he had wonderful tales to tell of the things he had done in foreign countries. Among other things, he said he had taken part in a jumping- match at Rhodes, and had done a wonderful jump which no one could beat. “Just go to Rhodes and ask them,” he said; “every one will tell you it’s true.” But one of those who were listening said, “If you can jump as well as all that, we needn’t go to Rhodes to prove it. Let’s just imagine this is Rhodes for a minute: and now—jump!”
11.28. 小螃蟹和他的妈妈#
母蟹对小蟹说：”我的儿子，为什么你要这样横着走？你应该直行。”小螃蟹回答道：”妈妈，请您亲自教我怎样走，我会跟着您学的。”母蟹试了几次，却根本不会直走，接着便发现自己竟然愚蠢地去指责孩子的错误。
THE CRAB AND HIS MOTHER
An Old Crab said to her son, “Why do you walk sideways like that, my son? You ought to walk straight.” The Young Crab replied, “Show me how, dear mother, and I’ll follow your example.” The Old Crab tried, but tried in vain, and then saw how foolish she had been to find fault with her child.
11.29. 农夫和儿子#
有个农夫已经奄奄一息，但还想告诉儿子们一个秘密，便叫来他们，说：”孩子们，我快要死了，但我还想让你们知道，葡萄园里有一个埋藏着的宝贝。挖出来，你们就知道是什么了！”父亲去世之后，他们用铁锹和铲子把那葡萄园的地翻了好几遍，到处寻找埋藏在那里的宝物。虽然什么都没找到，但是葡萄园的地经过此番挖掘，却比以往丰收了更多。
THE FARMER AND HIS SONS
A Farmer, being at death’s door, and desiring to impart to his Sons a secret of much moment, called them round him and said, “My sons, I am shortly about to die; I would have you know, therefore, that in my vineyard there lies a hidden treasure. Dig, and you will find it.” As soon as their father was dead, the Sons took spade and fork and turned up the soil of the vineyard over and over again, in their search for the treasure which they supposed to lie buried there. They found none, however: but the vines, after so thorough a digging, produced a crop such as had never before been seen.
Moral
We should live in harmony like a bundle of sticks.
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11.30. 农夫和命运之神#
有个农夫在耕地时用犁耙出一坛金币，他欣喜若狂，从那之后，他每天都用丰富的供品来供奉土地爷。命运之神对此很生气，来到他面前，说：“喂，朋友，那坛金币是我送给你的礼物，你为什么要去供奉土地爷呢？赋予你如此好的运气，你却从未想过感谢我；如果你运气不好，丢了本应属于你的东西，我敢保证，你一定会埋怨我这个命运之神了。”
THE FARMER AND FORTUNE
A Farmer was ploughing one day on his farm when he turned up a pot of golden coins with his plough. He was overjoyed at his discovery, and from that time forth made an offering daily at the shrine of the Goddess of the Earth. Fortune was displeased at this, and came to him and said, “My man, why do you give Earth the credit for the gift which I bestowed upon you? You never thought of thanking me for your good luck; but should you be unlucky enough to lose what you have gained I know very well that I, Fortune, should then come in for all the blame.”
11.31. 父亲和儿子#
有一个人生养了几个儿子，可是儿子们之间总爱争吵不休，父亲无论做什么，都无法使儿子们和睦相处。于是，他决定用下面的方法来说服儿子们。他让儿子们取来一捆木棒，大家轮流试着用膝盖折断它们。几个儿子分别试了一下，可是都失败了。接着，他拆开那捆木棒，一根一根地交给儿子们，这时，他们便毫不费力地折断了木棒。”看吧，我的孩子，”他说，“你们若能齐心协力，便可与敌人抗衡。但是，如果你们之间不团结且各自为营，那么这个弱点就会使你们任由敌人摆布了。”
FATHER AND SONS
A certain man had several Sons who were always quarrelling with one another, and, try as he might, he could not get them to live together in harmony. So he determined to convince them of their folly by the following means. Bidding them fetch a bundle of sticks, he invited each in turn to break it across his knee. All tried and all failed: and then he undid the bundle, and handed them the sticks one by one, when they had no difficulty at all in breaking them. “There, my boys,” said he, “united you will be more than a match for your enemies: but if you quarrel and separate, your weakness will put you at the mercy of those who attack you.”
11.32. 油 灯#
有一盏装满油的油灯，在燃烧时发出了清晰稳定的亮光。油灯开始洋洋得意起来，以为自己发出的光比太阳光还要亮得多。就在这时，一阵风吹来，灯马上被吹灭了。有人过来又点燃了它，并说道：“你就好好亮着吧，永远不要去想太阳。为什么？因为即便是星星，也不会像你刚才一样被风吹灭。”
THE LAMP
A Lamp, well filled with oil, burned with a clear and steady light, and began to swell with pride and boast that it shone more brightly than the sun himself. Just then a puff of wind came and blew it out. Some one struck a match and lit it again, and said, “You just keep alight, and never mind the sun. Why, even the stars never need to be relit as you had to be just now.”
Moral
Pride comes before a fall. Don’t compare yourself to others or be boastful, as it can lead to embarrassment.
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11.33. 老狮子#
有一头上了年纪的狮子，已经不能凭借蛮力去抢夺食物了，暗自思忖着只能用智取的办法才能获得必要食物。于是，他钻进一个山洞里，躺在地上假装生病，只要有其它小动物走过来窥探他的健康状况，他就会上前抓住他们，然后吃掉。就这样，许多动物都丧失了性命。直到有一天，怀疑事实真相的狐狸识破了狮子的诡计，他远远地站在洞外，询问狮子现在感觉如何。狮子回答说自己感觉很不好，他问狐狸：”不过，你为什么站在外面问，快进洞里来吧。”狐狸回答说：“我发现只有进去的脚印，却没有一个出来的脚印，若不是看到这些脚印，我也许已经进洞里去了。”
THE OLD LION
A Lion, enfeebled by age and no longer able to procure food for himself by force, determined to do so by cunning. Betaking himself to a cave, he lay down inside and feigned to be sick: and whenever any of the other animals entered to inquire after his health, he sprang upon them and devoured them. Many lost their lives in this way, till one day a Fox called at the cave, and, having a suspicion of the truth, addressed the Lion from outside instead of going in, and asked him how he did. He replied that he was in a very bad way: “But,” said he, “why do you stand outside? Pray come in.” “I should have done so,” answered the Fox, “if I hadn’t noticed that all the footprints point towards the cave and none the other way.”
Moral
It pays to be wary and suspicious of others, especially when there are signs of potential danger.
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11.34. 洗澡的小男孩#
一天，有个小男孩正在河里洗澡，他走到了水深没顶的地方，眼看就要被淹死了。一个正经过此路的行人听到了男孩的呼救声，他走到河边，开始教训小男孩太鲁莽地进入深水区，但是并没有要去救人的意思。小男孩大声喊道：“先生，拜托你，还是先把我救起来，再好好教训吧。”
THE BOY BATHING
A Boy was bathing in a river and got out of his depth, and was in great danger of being drowned. A man who was passing along a road heard his cries for help, and went to the riverside and began to scold him for being so careless as to get into deep water, but made no attempt to help him. “Oh, sir,” cried the Boy, “please help me first and scold me afterwards.”
11.35. 男孩和荨麻#
一个小男孩在篱笆丛中采集浆果，一不小心被荨麻刺伤了。带着难受的刺痛感，他急忙跑回家，边哭边对妈妈说：”妈妈，我只是轻轻地碰了它一下。”妈妈说：“这就是你被刺痛的原因，我的儿子。如果你勇敢地一把抓住它，就不会被刺伤了。”
THE BOY AND THE NETTLES
A Boy was gathering berries from a hedge when his hand was stung by a Nettle. Smarting with the pain, he ran to tell his mother, and said to her between his sobs, “I only touched it ever so lightly, mother.” “That’s just why you got stung, my son,” she said; “if you had grasped it firmly, it wouldn’t have hurt you in the least.”
Moral
Grasp problems firmly and don’t shy away from them, or else they will hurt you in the end.
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11.36. 农夫和苹果树#
有一个农夫，他的园子里有一棵苹果树，这棵树并不茂盛，只能为麻雀和蝉提供一个可栖息的地方，让他们坐在枝桠上歇息和喋喋不休地吵闹。农夫认为这棵树没有什么大用处，决定把它砍掉，于是便拿起斧头走过去砍起树来。然而，那些蝉和麻雀看到农夫的行为后，便请求农夫留下这棵树，并且对他说：”如果你砍掉这棵树，我们还得另外再找一个窝，而你也不会在园子里干活时听到我们为你鼓劲的欢快歌声了。”农夫没理睬他们，继续拿起斧头砍这棵树。几斧下去之后，树上出现了一个洞，他发现树洞里有蜂巢和蜂蜜。他高兴地连忙抛下斧头，说：“这棵老树还真是值得保留下来。”
THE PEASANT AND THE APPLE-TREE
A Peasant had an Apple-tree growing in his garden, which bore no fruit, but merely served to provide a shelter from the heat for the sparrows and grasshoppers which sat and chirped in its branches. Disappointed at its barrenness he determined to cut it down, and went and fetched his axe for the purpose. But when the sparrows and the grasshoppers saw what he was about to do, they begged him to spare it, and said to him, “If you destroy the tree we shall have to seek shelter elsewhere, and you will no longer have our merry chirping to enliven your work in the garden.” He, however, refused to listen to them, and set to work with a will to cut through the trunk. A few strokes showed that it was hollow inside and contained a swarm of bees and a large store of honey. Delighted with his find he threw down his axe, saying, “The old tree is worth keeping after all.”
11.37. 寒鸦与鸽子#
看见一群住在农场里的鸽子不愁吃喝，过着悠闲舒适的生活，一只寒鸦便心生嫉妒。为了能分享鸽子的食物，他决定将自己伪装成一只鸽子。于是，寒鸦将自己的羽毛全都涂成白色，跑到鸽群中，而且，寒鸦一直都保持着沉默，鸽子们从未怀疑过他不是一只鸽子。可是，有一天，他不小心发出了叫声，鸽子们立刻看穿了他的伪装，毫不留情地去啄他。寒鸦侥幸逃出了鸽群的袭击，回到同类之中。然而，因为他的毛色与以前不同了，所以其它寒鸦都没认出他来，也不让他参与集体生活，而且还赶他走。就这样，这只寒鸦为了自己的贪心而成了无家可归的流浪汉。
THE JACKDAW AND THE PIGEONS
A Jackdaw, watching some Pigeons in a farmyard, was filled with envy when he saw how well they were fed, and determined to disguise himself as one of them, in order to secure a share of the good things they enjoyed. So he painted himself white from head to foot and joined the flock; and, so long as he was silent, they never suspected that he was not a pigeon like themselves. But one day he was unwise enough to start chattering, when they at once saw through his disguise and pecked him so unmercifully that he was glad to escape and join his own kind again. But the other jackdaws did not recognise him in his white dress, and would not let him feed with them, but drove him away: and so he became a homeless wanderer for his pains.
Moral
When you try to be something you’re not, you’ll eventually be rejected by both sides.
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11.38. 朱庇特与乌龟#
朱庇特将要娶妻了，他决定举行盛大宴会，招待所有动物，以庆祝这件婚姻大事。除了乌龟之外，所有动物都出席了，这让朱庇特大为吃惊。于是，当他再次见到乌龟时，便问他为什么没来赴宴。”我不喜欢出门，”乌龟回答说，”哪里也不如自己的家里舒服。”朱庇特听到乌龟的回答很生气，于是就下令，从此让乌龟永远驮着他的家行走，即便想卸下来都不行。
JUPITER AND THE TORTOISE
Jupiter was about to marry a wife, and determined to celebrate the event by inviting all the animals to a banquet. They all came except the Tortoise, who did not put in an appearance, much to Jupiter’s surprise. So when he next saw the Tortoise he asked him why he had not been at the banquet. “I don’t care for going out,” said the Tortoise; “there’s no place like home.” Jupiter was so much annoyed by this reply that he decreed that from that time forth the Tortoise should carry his house upon his back, and never be able to get away from home even if he wished to.
Moral
Certainly, being disobedient and ambitious leads to misfortune.
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11.39. 两个口袋#
每个人生来都带着两个口袋，一个在前，一个在后，两个口袋里都满载缺点。前面那只口袋里装的是别人的缺点，而后面那只口袋里则装的是自己的缺点。因此，人们总是看不见自己的缺点，却永远不会忽视去看别人的缺点。
THE TWO BAGS
Every man carries Two Bags about with him, one in front and one behind, and both are packed full of faults. The Bag in front contains his neighbours’ faults, the one behind his own. Hence it is that men do not see their own faults, but never fail to see those of others.
Moral
It is easier to recognize faults in others than it is to recognize our own.
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11.40. 公牛和车轴#
几头公牛正用劲拉着超重的货车在大路上行走，当他们用劲拖拉货车和牛轭时，车轴被压得吱吱作响。牛有点不耐烦了，回过头对车轴说道：“喂，朋友，我们正在努力地干活，你叫唤什么？”
THE OXEN AND THE AXLETREES
A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded waggon along the highway, and, as they tugged and strained at the yoke, the Axletrees creaked and groaned terribly. This was too much for the Oxen, who turned round indignantly and said, “Hullo, you there! Why do you make such a noise when we do all the work?”
11.41. 男孩和榛子#
一个小男孩把手伸进装满榛子的瓶中，用尽全力去抓了一大把。但当他想要缩回手时，却发现根本出不来，因为相对于他那抓满榛子的手来说，瓶口太小了。他既不想放弃手中的一部分榛子，又不能拿出手来，于是大哭起来。一个旁观者看出了他的麻烦，便对他说：“孩子，不要太贪婪，只要少拿一半，你的手就能很容易地出来了。”
THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS
A Boy put his hand into a jar of Filberts, and grasped as many as his fist could possibly hold. But when he tried to pull it out again, he found he couldn’t do so, for the neck of the jar was too small to allow of the passage of so large a handful. Unwilling to lose his nuts but unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears. A bystander, who saw where the trouble lay, said to him, “Come, my boy, don’t be so greedy: be content with half the amount, and you’ll be able to get your hand out without difficulty.”
11.42. 橄榄树与无花果树#
在某一个季节，橄榄树讥笑无花果树的叶子全都凋零了。她说：”你的树叶一到秋天就会逐渐凋落，等到春天时才会再次长出来；而我的叶子就像你看到的这样，一年四季都是常青的。”正当他夸夸其谈时，突然下起了大雪，雪花全都压在橄榄树的叶子上，不一会儿就把他压垮了；而光秃秃的无花果树，一点也没被雪花伤害，反倒生存下来等待着来年的绽放。
THE OLIVE-TREE AND THE FIG-TREE
An Olive-tree taunted a Fig-tree with the loss of her leaves at a certain season of the year. “You,” she said, “lose your leaves every autumn, and are bare till the spring: whereas I, as you see, remain green and flourishing all the year round.” Soon afterwards there came a heavy fall of snow, which settled on the leaves of the Olive so that she bent and broke under the weight; but the flakes fell harmlessly through the bare branches of the Fig, which survived to bear many another crop.
Moral
Do not be overly proud of your accomplishments, as they can quickly be taken away.
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11.43. 狮子和野猪#
炎热的夏季，难耐的酷暑使人口渴，一只狮子和一只野猪同时来到一个小泉边喝水。他们立刻为谁应该先喝水而争吵起来。很快，争吵升级成了战争，他们互相攻击，斗得你死我活。就在他们喘气休息时，忽然回过头去，看见几只秃鹰正坐在岩石上，显然他们正在等着看谁先败下阵来，接着就会冲过来吃掉那个尸体。一看到秃鹰，他们立刻停止了争斗，说：“我们还是成为朋友吧，总比相互争斗并被秃鹰吃掉好得多。”
THE LION AND THE BOAR
One hot and thirsty day in the height of summer a Lion and a Boar came down to a little spring at the same moment to drink. In a trice they were quarrelling as to who should drink first. The quarrel soon became a fight and they attacked one another with the utmost fury. Presently, stopping for a moment to take breath, they saw some vultures seated on a rock above evidently waiting for one of them to be killed, when they would fly down and feed upon the carcase. The sight sobered them at once, and they made up their quarrel, saying, “We had much better be friends than fight and be eaten by vultures.”
Moral
It is better to make peace than to wage war, as there can be consequences that neither combatant wants.
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11.44. 核桃树#
有一棵长在路旁的核桃树，每年都能结很多核桃。为了得到树上的核桃，几乎每个路过的人都会用枝条和石头去敲打它。核桃树暗自悲叹自己所遭受的痛苦，自言自语道：“我真倒霉，每一个享用我的果实的人，都会用这样无情的损害与鞭打来回报我。”
THE WALNUT-TREE
A Walnut-tree, which grew by the roadside, bore every year a plentiful crop of nuts. Every one who passed by pelted its branches with sticks and stones, in order to bring down the fruit, and the tree suffered severely. “It is hard,” it cried, “that the very persons who enjoy my fruit should thus reward me with insults and blows.”
Moral
Do not take the kindness of others for granted; show appreciation and gratitude for those who share their goodness with you.
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11.45. 人和同行的狮子#
有一次，狮子与人同行，交谈中他们开始吹嘘各自的英勇，双方都强调自己更勇敢。就这样面红耳赤地争吵着，他们来到了一个十字路口，看到塑像上雕刻着一个人征服几头狮子的场景。那个人立刻得意洋洋地说：“你看那里，事实证明我们比你们强得多了吧。””不要急，我的朋友，”狮子笑着说，“这只是你们的看法而已。如果狮子会雕刻，你就会看见众多人败倒在狮子脚下了。”
THE MAN AND THE LION
A Man and a Lion were companions on a journey, and in the course of conversation they began to boast about their prowess, and each claimed to be superior to the other in strength and courage. They were still arguing with some heat when they came to a cross-road where there was a statue of a Man strangling a Lion. “There!” said the Man triumphantly, “look at that! Doesn’t that prove to you that we are stronger than you?” “Not so fast, my friend,” said the Lion: “that is only your view of the case. If we Lions could make statues, you may be sure that in most of them you would see the Man underneath.”
11.46. 乌龟和老鹰#
一只乌龟，不满足于自己的地面生活，很羡慕鸟儿能在空中玩耍，于是便请求老鹰教他飞翔。老鹰劝他，这是他的一个白日梦，因为大自然并没有赋予他可以飞翔的翅膀。可是乌龟再三恳求，还用珍宝利诱老鹰，一再坚持这只是一个了解如何在空中飞翔的问题。于是，老鹰为了满足乌龟的愿望，一把抓起他，带着乌龟飞到一定高度后，就松开了鹰爪，而乌龟则落在了岩石上，被摔得粉身碎骨。
THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE
A Tortoise, discontented with his lowly life, and envious of the birds he saw disporting themselves in the air, begged an Eagle to teach him to fly. The Eagle protested that it was idle for him to try, as nature had not provided him with wings; but the Tortoise pressed him with entreaties and promises of treasure, insisting that it could only be a question of learning the craft of the air. So at length the Eagle consented to do the best he could for him, and picked him up in his talons. Soaring with him to a great height in the sky he then let him go, and the wretched Tortoise fell headlong and was dashed to pieces on a rock.
Moral
Be content with what you have and resist the temptation to try and be something you are not.
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11.47. 爱慕虚荣的寒鸦#
朱庇特想在鸟类中指定一个王，便指定了一个日子，令百鸟全都按时出席，届时他将挑选其中最美丽的鸟为百鸟之王。为了展现自己最好的一面，众鸟都跑到河里忙于梳理自己的羽毛。像那些有自知之明的鸟一样，寒鸦也意识到自己的丑陋，根本不可能被选为百鸟之王，于是他在河边等着众鸟散去，捡起他们脱落下的羽毛，小心翼翼地全固定在自己身上，结果他看上去比其它鸟都华丽。指定的日子来临了，众鸟都来到朱庇特的王位前。浏览了一遍眼前的众鸟，朱庇特决定立寒鸦为王。为了王位大选而来的其它鸟，纷纷从寒鸦身上拔下本属于自己的羽毛，暴露出寒鸦那丑陋的本来面目。
THE VAIN JACKDAW
Jupiter announced that he intended to appoint a king over the birds, and named a day on which they were to appear before his throne, when he would select the most beautiful of them all to be their ruler. Wishing to look their best on the occasion they repaired to the banks of a stream, where they busied themselves in washing and preening their feathers. The Jackdaw was there along with the rest, and realised that, with his ugly plumage, he would have no chance of being chosen as he was: so he waited till they were all gone, and then picked up the most gaudy of the feathers they had dropped, and fastened them about his own body, with the result that he looked gayer than any of them. When the appointed day came, the birds assembled before Jupiter’s throne; and, after passing them in review, he was about to make the Jackdaw king, when all the rest set upon the king-elect, stripped him of his borrowed plumes, and exposed him for the Jackdaw that he was.
Moral
Do not try to be something you are not; it will lead to embarrassment and shame.
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11.48. 遇难者与海#
一个遇上海难的人经过一番风浪里的挣扎，终于被冲上岸，他筋疲力尽地躺在沙滩上睡着了。不一会儿，当他醒过来后，便开始指责大海总以平静、温和的外表引诱人们，然而，就在人们上当受骗之后，大海就变得凶暴和残忍，最终致使船和船上的人同归于尽。这时，大海以女人的形象出现了，并且对他说：“喂，朋友，你别责怪我，应该责怪风！我本是平静的，但是只要风猛然刮过来，就会掀起惊涛骇浪，使我变得残暴。这并不是我的本性。”
THE SHIPWRECKED MAN AND THE SEA
A Shipwrecked Man cast up on the beach fell asleep after his struggle with the waves. When he woke up, he bitterly reproached the Sea for its treachery in enticing men with its smooth and smiling surface, and then, when they were well embarked, turning in fury upon them and sending both ship and sailors to destruction. The Sea arose in the form of a woman, and replied, “Lay not the blame on me, O sailor, but on the Winds. By nature I am as calm and safe as the land itself: but the Winds fall upon me with their gusts and gales, and lash me into a fury that is not natural to me.”
Moral
We should not blame others for our misfortune but take responsibility for our own actions. Often our mistakes lead to difficult situations that appear to be beyond our control, yet if we understand why they happened in the first place then we can take steps to prevent them occurring in the future.
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11.49. 墨丘利与雕刻家#
墨丘利急于了解自己有多么受人尊重，便化做一个凡人，来到一个雕刻家的工作室，那里有很多已经完工的雕像正待出售。他看见了一尊朱庇特的雕像，便问要多少钱。”一块银元。”雕刻家回答说。”就这么多？”他笑着问，“那么，”（他指着朱诺的像——朱庇特的妻子）”这一尊要多少钱？”雕刻家回答说：“那个要半块银元。””那边那个雕像，你想卖多少钱呢？”他指着自己的雕像继续问道。”那个？”雕刻家说，“假如你要买那两个的话，我便把这个白送给你。”
MERCURY AND THE SCULPTOR
Mercury was very anxious to know in what estimation he was held by mankind; so he disguised himself as a man and walked into a Sculptor’s studio, where there were a number of statues finished and ready for sale. Seeing a statue of Jupiter among the rest, he inquired the price of it. “A crown,” said the Sculptor. “Is that all?” said he, laughing; “and” (pointing to one of Juno) “how much is that one?” “That,” was the reply, “is half a crown.” “And how much might you be wanting for that one over there, now?” he continued, pointing to a statue of himself. “That one?” said the Sculptor; “Oh, I’ll throw him in for nothing if you’ll buy the other two.”
Moral
It is hard to gauge your own worth and that seeking validation from others only leads to disappointment.
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11.50. 小鹿和妈妈#
一只母鹿对已经长大了的小鹿说：”我的儿子，自然赋予了你健硕的体魄和一对结实的鹿角，我简直想不到，你为何这么胆小，竟然会从猎狗身边逃跑。”就在这时，母子俩都听到了远处一群猎狗的狂吠声。”你就待在原地吧，”母鹿说，”不要管我。”话音刚落，她就飞也似的跑了。
THE FAWN AND HIS MOTHER
A Hind said to her Fawn, who was now well grown and strong, “My son, Nature has given you a powerful body and a stout pair of horns, and I can’t think why you are such a coward as to run away from the hounds.” Just then they both heard the sound of a pack in full cry, but at a considerable distance. “You stay where you are,” said the Hind; “never mind me” : and with that she ran off as fast as her legs could carry her.
Moral
Courage is needed in order to face adversity. Even those who are naturally physically strong may fear the unknown or be timid in unfamiliar situations. Bravely facing one’s fears is the only way to overcome them.
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11.51. 鹰与捕鹰者#
从前，有一个人捉住了一只鹰，随后便剪断了他的翅膀，放入鸡窝中与其它家禽一起饲养，鹰一直待在角落里暗自悲伤，看上去甚为沮丧和绝望。没过多久，捕获老鹰的那个人很高兴地将鹰卖给了一个邻居，邻居把鹰带回家后又帮他长出了新的翅膀。鹰飞出去抓住一只兔子，立刻带回家给恩人。一只狐狸看到后，便对老鹰说：“不要在他身上浪费你的猎物！把这份礼物送给以前捕获你的那个人，和他交个朋友，那么，或许他不会再次捕获你，并剪断你的翅膀。”
THE EAGLE AND HIS CAPTOR
A Man once caught an Eagle, and after clipping his wings turned him loose among the fowls in his hen-house, where he moped in a corner, looking very dejected and forlorn. After a while his Captor was glad enough to sell him to a neighbour, who took him home and let his wings grow again. As soon as he had recovered the use of them, the Eagle flew out and caught a hare, which he brought home and presented to his benefactor. A fox observed this, and said to the Eagle, “Don’t waste your gifts on him! Go and give them to the man who first caught you; make him your friend, and then perhaps he won’t catch you and clip your wings a second time.”
Moral
Recognize when you have been wronged and use kindness to turn your adversaries into allies.
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11.52. 池边的雄鹿#
一只非常口渴的鹿，跑到池塘边去喝水。当他在池边俯下身去喝水时，看到了水面上自己的倒影，一边得意洋洋地欣赏着自己那完美修长的鹿角，一边又为自己的小细腿而闷闷不乐。正当他看得入神时，被一头看见他的狮子袭击了。他拼命地向着空旷、没有树木的平原跑去，很快就摆脱了身后的追逐者。可是，当他跑进一片树林中时，眼看着那美丽的鹿角就被挂在了树枝上，终于被跟踪而来的敌人擒获，成了狮子的美味佳肴。”真是不幸呀！”鹿在临死前哀叹道，“我小瞧了自己的腿，可是它们却救了我的命；我以自己的角为傲，可是它们却葬送了我的性命。”
THE STAG AT THE POOL
A thirsty Stag went down to a pool to drink. As he bent over the surface he saw his own reflection in the water, and was struck with admiration for his fine spreading antlers, but at the same time he felt nothing but disgust for the weakness and slenderness of his legs. While he stood there looking at himself, he was seen and attacked by a Lion; but in the chase which ensued, he soon drew away from his pursuer, and kept his lead as long as the ground over which he ran was open and free of trees. But coming presently to a wood, he was caught by his antlers in the branches, and fell a victim to the teeth and claws of his enemy. “Woe is me!” he cried with his last breath; “I despised my legs, which might have saved my life: but I gloried in my horns, and they have proved my ruin.”
11.53. 墨丘利与商人#
朱庇特在创造人类时，吩咐墨丘利制造一点让人说谎的药，并添加到其他要素上，从而形成商人。墨丘利遵命研制好药之后，依次平均地添加到每种生意人身上——卖蜡烛的商贩、卖蔬菜瓜果的商贩、卖杂货的商贩等。最后轮到了马贩子，这是最后一个要添药的商人了，但是墨丘利却发现还剩下很多药，于是，他便将剩余的药全部加在了马贩子身上。这正是商人多少都会说谎的原因，尤其是马贩子更为厉害。
MERCURY AND THE TRADESMEN
When Jupiter was creating man, he told Mercury to make an infusion of lies, and to add a little of it to the other ingredients which went to the making of the Tradesmen. Mercury did so, and introduced an equal amount into each in turn—the tallow-chandler, and the greengrocer, and the haberdasher, and all, till he came to the horse-dealer, who was last on the list, when, finding that he had a quantity of the infusion still left, he put it all into him. This is why all Tradesmen lie more or less, but they none of them lie like a horse-dealer.
Moral
Honesty is the best policy. Be transparent and truthful in all endeavors and you will be well-regarded by the people around you.
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11.54. 孔雀和朱诺#
因为自己没有夜莺那悠扬动听的歌声，孔雀大为不悦，于是跑到朱诺面前抱怨。”所有的鸟都羡慕夜莺的歌声，”她说，”但是，只要我一开口发声，就成了大家的笑料。”女神朱诺为了尽量安慰她，说道：”你的确没有唱歌的优势，但是你却有着超凡的美丽外表。你的脖子闪耀着绿宝石一样的光辉，你那开屏的尾巴更是华丽富贵、光彩照人。”然而，孔雀仍旧不满足。”我的声音那么难听，”孔雀说，”美丽又有什么用呀？”朱诺接着回答说：“命运赋予了每个人不同的礼物——赋予了你无比的美丽，赋予了老鹰强大的力量，赋予了夜莺优美的歌声，以此类推下去，所有生命都有着各自的特征，而你却不满足于自己所拥有的。不要再抱怨了，因为如果你当下的愿望得到了满足，很快你又会找到另一个不满足的借口。”
寓意
要满足当下，并尊重命运赋予你们的独特能力，不要再抱怨与他人相比自己所拥有的优势不多，因为你永远无法得到所有的，如果你得到了你所需要的，你可能会再找到新的不满足的原因。
👇 听寓言故事
THE PEACOCK AND JUNO
The Peacock was greatly discontented because he had not a beautiful voice like the nightingale, and he went and complained to Juno about it. “The nightingale’s song,” said he, “is the envy of all the birds; but whenever I utter a sound I become a laughing-stock.” The goddess tried to console him by saying, “You have not, it is true, the power of song, but then you far excel all the rest in beauty: your neck flashes like the emerald and your splendid tail is a marvel of gorgeous colour.” But the Peacock was not appeased. “What is the use,” said he, “of being beautiful, with a voice like mine?” Then Juno replied, with a shade of sternness in her tones, “Fate has allotted to all their destined gifts: to yourself beauty, to the eagle strength, to the nightingale song, and so on to all the rest in their degree; but you alone are dissatisfied with your portion. Make, then, no more complaints. For, if your present wish were granted, you would quickly find cause for fresh discontent.”
Moral
Be content with the gifts fate has allotted to you and do not wish for more, as it may only lead to dissatisfaction.
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11.55. 人和神像#
一个穷人在家里供奉了一尊木头神像，天天对着神像祈祷让自己发财。持续了相当一段时间后，他依旧像过去那样贫穷。有一天，这个人带着极度的愤怒抓起神像，用尽全力冲着墙壁扔过去。强大的撞击力打破了神像的头，一些金币纷纷掉在了地板上。这个人贪婪地抓起金币，说：“哦，你这个大骗子！我好好供奉你的时候，你却什么都不给我；等我用暴力对待你的时候，你却让我成了富翁！”
THE MAN AND THE IMAGE
A poor Man had a wooden Image of a god, to which he used to pray daily for riches. He did this for a long time, but remained as poor as ever, till one day he caught up the Image in disgust and hurled it with all his strength against the wall. The force of the blow split open the head and a quantity of gold coins fell out upon the floor. The Man gathered them up greedily, and said, “O you old fraud, you! When I honoured you, you did me no good whatever: but no sooner do I treat you to insults and violence than you make a rich man of me!”
Moral
Sometimes you have to take risks and think outside the box to achieve success.
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11.56. 赫刺克勒斯和车夫#
有一个车夫驾着一辆载着货物的马车，正当他沿着乡间小路前进时，车轮突然深陷入泥坑中，拉车的马无论如何也挪不出车轮来。车夫站在那里，无助地四处观望，大声呼喊着大力神前来帮忙。大力神赫刺克勒斯终于出现了，对他说：“先用你的肩膀顶住车轮，再用鞭子赶你的马，试着这样做了之后，再来祈求我的帮助。如果你不能先自助，就不能期望大力神或其他人来帮你了。”
HERCULES AND THE WAGGONER
A Waggoner was driving his team along a muddy lane with a full load behind them, when the wheels of his waggon sank so deep in the mire that no efforts of his horses could move them. As he stood there, looking helplessly on, and calling loudly at intervals upon Hercules for assistance, the god himself appeared, and said to him, “Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and goad on your horses, and then you may call on Hercules to assist you. If you won’t lift a finger to help yourself, you can’t expect Hercules or any one else to come to your aid.”
11.57. 石榴树、苹果树和野蔷薇#
石榴树与苹果树为谁的果实质量最好而争吵不休，双方都认为自己的更好。愤怒的话语相继从他们的嘴里脱口而出，激烈的争吵马上就要升级了，这时，野蔷薇嬉皮笑脸地从隔壁篱笆丛中探出头来，说：“够了，朋友们，我们不要再争吵了。”
THE POMEGRANATE, THE APPLE-TREE, AND THE BRAMBLE
A Pomegranate and an Apple-tree were disputing about the quality of their fruits, and each claimed that its own was the better of the two. High words passed between them, and a violent quarrel was imminent, when a Bramble impudently poked its head out of a neighbouring hedge and said, “There, that’s enough, my friends; don’t let us quarrel.”
Moral
Don’t let trivial disagreements cause a major rift between friends; find a peaceful solution to avoid conflict.
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11.58. 两个士兵和强盗#
两个士兵一起赶路，途中被一个强盗所劫。其中一个士兵马上逃跑了，另一个则勇敢地握着剑立在原地，强盗不得不弃他而逃。这时，那个胆小的士兵跑过来，抽出剑，壮着胆大喝一声：”他去哪里了？让我来对付他，我要让他知道面对的是什么人。”然而，那名勇敢的士兵说：“你来晚了，我的朋友。要是你刚才能来帮我就好了，即便只是嘴上这样说也好，因为我会受到你这番话的鼓舞，并且相信这些话都是真的。而现在，还是请你把剑收好，已经没有必要再用它了。你只能欺骗其他人，让人们以为你像雄狮一样勇敢；而我却知道，在遇到危险时，你会像兔子一样落荒而逃。”
THE TWO SOLDIERS AND THE ROBBER
Two Soldiers travelling together were set upon by a Robber. One of them ran away, but the other stood his ground, and laid about him so lustily with his sword that the Robber was fain to fly and leave him in peace. When the coast was clear the timid one ran back, and, flourishing his weapon, cried in a threatening voice, “Where is he? Let me get at him, and I’ll soon let him know whom he’s got to deal with.” But the other replied, “You are a little late, my friend: I only wish you had backed me up just now, even if you had done no more than speak, for I should have been encouraged, believing your words to be true. As it is, calm yourself, and put up your sword: there is no further use for it. You may delude others into thinking you’re as brave as a lion: but I know that, at the first sign of danger, you run away like a hare.”
Moral
The moral of this story is: Actions speak louder than words. Your courage is judged by your deeds, not your words.
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11.59. 人与森林之神萨堤罗斯#
从前，有个人与森林之神萨堤罗斯成了朋友，他们决定一起生活。在一段时间内，一切都很顺利，直到冬季里的一天，萨堤罗斯看到那个人把手放到嘴边不断地呵气。”你为什么要这样做？”他问道。”为了暖和我的手呀。”那人回答道。就在同一天，他们坐下来一起吃饭，每人面前都摆着一碗热气腾腾的粥，那人举起碗来对着嘴又开始吹气。”你为什么要这样做？”森林之神又问他。”为了让粥凉下来。”他说。森林之神立刻站起来，说：“再见，朋友！我要走了，我无法和你这样的人交朋友，因为你的嘴里一会儿吹热气，一会儿又吹冷气。”
THE MAN AND THE SATYR
A Man and a Satyr became friends, and determined to live together. All went well for a while, until one day in winter-time the Satyr saw the Man blowing on his hands. “Why do you do that?” he asked. “To warm my hands,” said the Man. That same day, when they sat down to supper together, they each had a steaming hot bowl of porridge, and the Man raised his bowl to his mouth and blew on it. “Why do you do that?” asked the Satyr. “To cool my porridge,” said the Man. The Satyr got up from the table. “Good-bye,” said he, “I’m going: I can’t be friends with a man who blows hot and cold with the same breath.”
Moral
Moral of the story: You should be careful to maintain consistency in your words and actions.
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11.60. 卖神像的人#
有个人用木头雕刻了墨丘利的像，拿到市场上去卖。因为没有一个买主前来光顾，他便认为自己应该大声叫喊，以此吸引人前来购买。于是，他冲着市场里大喊：”卖神像了！卖神像了！一个能给你带来好运并维持好运的神像！”这时，旁边的一个人对他说：“喂，朋友，如果你的神像真如你所说，那你为何不自己留下他，好好享受他给你的好运呢？””告诉你吧，”这个人回答道，“他的确能让你有所收获，这是真的，但是需要时间，而我则希望能马上得到钱。”
THE IMAGE-SELLER
A certain man made a wooden Image of Mercury, and exposed it for sale in the market. As no one offered to buy it, however, he thought he would try to attract a purchaser by proclaiming the virtues of the Image. So he cried up and down the market, “A god for sale! a god for sale! One who’ll bring you luck and keep you lucky!” Presently one of the bystanders stopped him and said, “If your god is all you make him out to be, how is it you don’t keep him and make the most of him yourself?” “I’ll tell you why,” replied he; “he brings gain, it is true, but he takes his time about it; whereas I want money at once.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that it is often wiser to keep something of value for yourself than to search for a quick sale and risk losing out on its worth.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.61. 老鹰与箭#
鹰站在一块高高的岩石上，用锐利的目光观察着猎物。一个猎人躲藏在山间的裂缝中观察情况，看到鹰之后，一箭射中了他。那箭直插入鹰的前胸，并且破膛而出。受着死亡苦痛折磨的老鹰，转眼又看到了带着鹰毛的箭翎。”啊！命运真残酷！”他哭喊着，“竟然让我这样死去，不过，更为残酷的是，杀死我的箭上竟然还插着鹰的羽毛！”
THE EAGLE AND THE ARROW
An Eagle sat perched on a lofty rock, keeping a sharp look-out for prey. A huntsman, concealed in a cleft of the mountain and on the watch for game, spied him there and shot an Arrow at him. The shaft struck him full in the breast and pierced him through and through. As he lay in the agonies of death, he turned his eyes upon the Arrow. “Ah! cruel fate!” he cried, “that I should perish thus: but oh! fate more cruel still, that the Arrow which kills me should be winged with an Eagle’s feathers!”
Moral
Never take for granted the tools or resources you have at your disposal, as they can be used against you in unexpected ways.
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11.62. 富人和制皮匠#
一个富人与制皮匠比邻而居，发现皮匠院子里传出的气味实在让人受不了，便告诉皮匠请他搬家。制皮匠一直在拖延，富人重复说了好多次让他快点搬家，皮匠每次总是说马上就搬，却老是不采取行动。就这样持续了一段时间，富人已经闻惯了皮革的臭气，也就不再非难制皮匠了。
THE RICH MAN AND THE TANNER
A Rich Man took up his residence next door to a Tanner, and found the smell of the tan-yard so extremely unpleasant that he told him he must go. The Tanner delayed his departure, and the Rich Man had to speak to him several times about it; and every time the Tanner said he was making arrangements to move very shortly. This went on for some time, till at last the Rich Man got so used to the smell that he ceased to mind it, and troubled the Tanner with his objections no more.
Moral
Moral: It is often easier to adjust to unpleasant circumstances than to try to change them.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.63. 老太婆和酒瓶#
一个老太婆捡到一个空酒瓶，这个瓶子曾经装过价格不菲的稀世美酒，依然还带着浓浓的酒香。她把酒瓶放在鼻孔处，一次又一次贪婪地吸着酒香，并说：“啊，多么甜美！连装过酒的空瓶都能留下这样甘美难忘的香味，那瓶子里的酒还真不知道会多么甘美醇香呢。”
THE OLD WOMAN AND THE WINE-JAR
An old Woman picked up an empty Wine-jar which had once contained a rare and costly wine, and which still retained some traces of its exquisite bouquet. She raised it to her nose and sniffed at it again and again. “Ah,” she cried, “how delicious must have been the liquid which has left behind so ravishing a smell.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that past pleasures can still bring joy, even when those pleasures are no longer available.
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11.64. 母狮与雌狐#
一头母狮与一只狐狸在闲聊自己的孩子，出于母亲的美好愿望，她们都在说自己的孩子多么健康，多么茁壮，多么美丽，多么像自己的父母。”看到我产下的小幼崽，真让人高兴，”狐狸说，接着她又不怀好意地说，“但是我注意到你从未生过两胎或更多的幼崽。””没有，”母狮面无表情地回答道，“可我生下的毕竟是一只狮子。”
THE LIONESS AND THE VIXEN
A Lioness and a Vixen were talking together about their young, as mothers will, and saying how healthy and well-grown they were, and what beautiful coats they had, and how they were the image of their parents. “My litter of cubs is a joy to see,” said the Fox; and then she added, rather maliciously, “But I notice you never have more than one.” “No,” said the Lioness grimly, “but that one’s a lion.”
11.65. 毒蛇和锉刀#
有条毒蛇爬进铁匠铺里，从一个工具到另一个工具，祈求能给他点可以吃的东西。其中，他向锉刀请求施舍，给他一顿饱餐。可是，锉刀却带着不屑的语气说：“你若想从我这里得到东西，那你真是太傻了，我历来只会索取，不会回报。”
THE VIPER AND THE FILE
A Viper entered a carpenter’s shop, and went from one to another of the tools, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal. The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, “What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably take from every one and never give anything in return.”
11.66. 野兔与乌龟#
有一天，兔子嘲笑乌龟用脚爬得太慢了。”那又怎么了，”乌龟说，“总有一天我会和你赛跑，并且还能赢了你。””噢，好吧，”兔子回答，认为乌龟的这个想法太搞笑了，“我们比比看”。他们很快便商定好了比赛的时间和地点，并且让狐狸来设定比赛过程，兼做裁判。比赛一开始，兔子很快就跑到了前面，他觉着自己应该休息一下，于是便躺在路旁睡着了。此时，乌龟正不停地朝前奔跑，并且最后还实现了自己的目标。兔子醒来后，用最快的速度猛劲向前跑，可是却发现乌龟已经取得了比赛胜利。
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
A Hare was one day making fun of a Tortoise for being so slow upon his feet. “Wait a bit,” said the Tortoise; “I’ll run a race with you, and I’ll wager that I win.” “Oh, well,” replied the Hare, who was much amused at the idea, “let’s try and see” ; and it was soon agreed that the fox should set a course for them, and be the judge. When the time came both started off together, but the Hare was soon so far ahead that he thought he might as well have a rest: so down he lay and fell fast asleep. Meanwhile the Tortoise kept plodding on, and in time reached the goal. At last the Hare woke up with a start, and dashed on at his fastest, but only to find that the Tortoise had already won the race.
11.67. 士兵和战马#
战争期间，一个士兵用充足的燕麦精心喂养他的马，希望身强体壮的马能够在需要时，驮着主人在地形艰险的战场上快速奔跑，从而免于危险。然而，战争一结束，战马便被拉去服苦役，不仅得不到主人的关爱，而且除了糟糠之外，再也没有其它饲料了。不久，战争又爆发了，士兵备好马鞍、套上缰绳、穿上厚重的铠甲，全副武装地准备骑着马去迎敌。这时，马却毫无力气，不断摔倒，他对主人说：“这次，你可要亲自跑着赶赴战场了，都是因为繁重的劳役和廉价的饲料，让我从一匹战马变成了一头驴，你怎么还能把我当战马骑呢？”
THE SOLDIER AND HIS HORSE
A Soldier gave his Horse a plentiful supply of oats in time of war, and tended him with the utmost care, for he wished him to be strong to endure the hardships of the field, and swift to bear his master, when need arose, out of the reach of danger. But when the war was over he employed him on all sorts of drudgery, bestowing but little attention upon him, and giving him, moreover, nothing but chaff to eat. The time came when war broke out again, and the Soldier saddled and bridled his Horse, and, having put on his heavy coat of mail, mounted him to ride off and take the field. But the poor half-starved beast sank down under his weight, and said to his rider, “You will have to go into battle on foot this time. Thanks to hard work and bad food, you have turned me from a Horse into an ass; and you cannot in a moment turn me back again into a Horse.”
Moral
The moral of this story is to treat those who help you with respect and care, for they can easily turn from allies to adversaries when mistreated.
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11.68. 公牛和屠夫#
有一次，公牛想报复屠夫，因为他们在屠夫那里遭受蹂躏，被分成若干等级，并且等待着某一日被屠宰。他们聚集在一起商讨如何执行报复计划，其中那些比较暴躁的公牛为了这场战争已经磨好了自己的尖角，准备战斗。这时，一头年长的老公牛站起来，说：“兄弟们，我知道，大家确实有理由憎恨屠夫，但是从某种程度上讲，他们明白自己的职责，已经尽可能地减少了我们的痛苦。然而，倘若我们杀死了屠夫，就会让那些没有经验的人来宰杀我们，给我们增添更多痛苦。你们要知道，即便所有的屠夫都死了，但人类总是要吃牛肉的。”
THE OXEN AND THE BUTCHERS
Once upon a time the Oxen determined to be revenged upon the Butchers for the havoc they wrought in their ranks, and plotted to put them to death on a given day. They were all gathered together discussing how best to carry out the plan, and the more violent of them were engaged in sharpening their horns for the fray, when an old Ox got up upon his feet and said, “My brothers, you have good reason, I know, to hate these Butchers, but, at any rate, they understand their trade and do what they have to do without causing unnecessary pain. But if we kill them, others, who have no experience, will be set to slaughter us, and will by their bungling inflict great sufferings upon us. For you may be sure that, even though all the Butchers perish, mankind will never go without their beef.”
Moral
Moral: It is better to accept injustice than to risk inflicting even worse suffering on yourself.
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11.69. 狮子和三头公牛#
三头公牛住在一个草场里，窥探已久的一只狮子想要吃掉他们，可是只要公牛团结一致，狮子就无法得逞。于是，狮子便在公牛之中煽风点火，不怀好意地挑拨离间，令他们产生冲突和愤恨。狮子的计谋终于得逞了，三头公牛不如以前那么友好了，相互之间很冷淡，随后互不相见，各自到草场里吃草。这时，狮子轻而易举地依次吃掉了三头公牛。
THE LION AND THE THREE BULLS
Three Bulls were grazing in a meadow, and were watched by a Lion, who longed to capture and devour them, but who felt that he was no match for the three so long as they kept together. So he began by false whispers and malicious hints to foment jealousies and distrust among them. This stratagem succeeded so well that ere long the Bulls grew cold and unfriendly, and finally avoided each other and fed each one by himself apart. No sooner did the Lion see this than he fell upon them one by one and killed them in turn.
Moral
The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.
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11.70. 马和骑手#
一个年轻人自诩为骑师，爬上了一匹并没有受过良好训练的马，而且这匹马极其难以驾驭。马一感受到背上的重量，就狂奔起来，什么也挡不住他。骑手的一个朋友在路上遇见了他，大声叫道：”你这是急着去哪里呀？”骑手指着马回答说：“我也不知道，你问他吧。”
THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER
A Young Man, who fancied himself something of a horseman, mounted a Horse which had not been properly broken in, and was exceedingly difficult to control. No sooner did the Horse feel his weight in the saddle than he bolted, and nothing would stop him. A friend of the Rider’s met him in the road in his headlong career, and called out, “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” To which he, pointing to the Horse, replied, “I’ve no idea: ask him.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that we should never take on challenges that may be more than we can handle.
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11.71. 两口锅#
两口锅被洪水冲进了河里，一口是瓦锅，另一口是铜锅。铜锅催促同伴靠近他一些，这样才能保护他。可是，瓦锅却多谢铜锅的好意，并求他不要靠近自己。瓦锅说：“这正是我最担心的事情。只要你一碰我，我必定会粉身碎骨。”
THE TWO POTS
Two Pots, one of earthenware and the other of brass, were carried away down a river in flood. The Brazen Pot urged his companion to keep close by his side, and he would protect him. The other thanked him, but begged him not to come near him on any account: “For that,” he said, “is just what I am most afraid of. One touch from you and I should be broken in pieces.”
11.72. 小丑和乡下人#
一个富翁对外宣称要在剧场搞一次公开表演，并且还说，要重重奖励那些表演新戏法的人。这个公告吸引了一群魔术师、杂耍艺人和杂技演员，其中，一个广受欢迎的小丑说他要在台上表演一个全新的把戏。到了公开表演的那一天，还没开场，整个剧场就已被围得水泄不通。几个演员表演了他们的特技之后，小丑接着就两手空空地独自一人出现在舞台上。观众因为太期待看他的表演，全场立刻鸦雀无声。而小丑突然把头俯到胸前，学小猪叫，他叫的声音逼真得使人惊叹，以至于大家都说，他一定是把猪藏在什么地方了。然而，他却说服观众，并没有藏起猪来，接着，全场掌声雷鸣。场下有一位观众是个乡下人，看完小丑的表演后，他就宣称自己明天也要表演同样的把戏，一定会比小丑的更好。第二天，剧场里又挤满了人，小丑照样以他的模仿秀赢得了观众的欢呼和喜爱。同时站在舞台上的乡下人，早已在上台前，将一只小猪藏到了衣服里，就在观众嘲弄他是否能表演得更精彩时，他揪了一下小猪的耳朵，让他大声叫起来。然而，观众们都大喊小丑的叫声更逼真。于是，乡下人便从衣服里拿出小猪来，讽刺地说：“请看这里，你们到底是什么样的裁判呀！”
THE CLOWN AND THE COUNTRYMAN
A Nobleman announced his intention of giving a public entertainment in the theatre, and offered splendid prizes to all who had any novelty to exhibit at the performance. The announcement attracted a crowd of conjurers, jugglers, and acrobats, and among the rest a Clown, very popular with the crowd, who let it be known that he was going to give an entirely new turn. When the day of the performance came, the theatre was filled from top to bottom some time before the entertainment began. Several performers exhibited their tricks, and then the popular favourite came on empty-handed and alone. At once there was a hush of expectation: and he, letting his head fall upon his breast, imitated the squeak of a pig to such perfection that the audience insisted on his producing the animal, which, they said, he must have somewhere concealed about his person. He, however, convinced them that there was no pig there, and then the applause was deafening. Among the spectators was a Countryman, who disparaged the Clown’s performance and announced that he would give a much superior exhibition of the same trick on the following day. Again the theatre was filled to overflowing, and again the Clown gave his imitation amidst the cheers of the crowd. The Countryman, meanwhile, before going on the stage, had secreted a young porker under his smock; and when the spectators derisively bade him do better if he could, he gave it a pinch in the ear and made it squeal loudly. But they all with one voice shouted out that the Clown’s imitation was much more true to life. Thereupon he produced the pig from under his smock and said sarcastically, “There, that shows what sort of judges you are!”
Moral
The moral of this story is: Appearances can be deceiving and it is important to judge fairly as we may not always know the full truth.
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11.73. 百灵鸟和农夫#
一只百灵鸟在绿油油的麦田里做了巢，在成熟的麦穗掩映下，正哺育着一窝小百灵鸟。虽然小百灵鸟们的羽翼还未完全丰满，但有一天，农夫来田里看庄稼，发现麦子已经变黄了，便说：”我得去告诉邻居们，帮我到田里来收割庄稼。”一只小百灵鸟听到了这番话，心里非常害怕，便赶忙问妈妈是否应该立刻搬家。”不用着急，”百灵鸟说，”孩子，请朋友来帮忙是需要时间的。”过了几天，农夫又到田里来了，看到麦子早已熟透，几乎快掉下来了，便心急火燎地说：”不能再拖了，我今天就得雇人，立刻开始收割。”百灵鸟听到这话后，便对小鸟们说：“我的孩子们，现在我们必须要搬家了，因为他没有再提到请朋友帮忙，而是要自己亲自动手了。”
THE LARK AND THE FARMER
A Lark nested in a field of corn, and was rearing her brood under cover of the ripening grain. One day, before the young were fully fledged, the Farmer came to look at the crop, and, finding it yellowing fast, he said, “I must send round word to my neighbours to come and help me reap this field.” One of the young Larks overheard him, and was very much frightened, and asked her mother whether they hadn’t better move house at once. “There’s no hurry,” replied she; “a man who looks to his friends for help will take his time about a thing.” In a few days the Farmer came by again, and saw that the grain was overripe and falling out of the ears upon the ground. “I must put it off no longer,” he said; “This very day I’ll hire the men and set them to work at once.” The Lark heard him and said to her young, “Come, my children, we must be off: he talks no more of his friends now, but is going to take things in hand himself.”
11.74. 算命人#
一个专门给人算命的人，坐在市场里靠给人算卦来谋生。忽然，有一个人跑来告诉他，他家被强盗撬门而入，家里所有的东西几乎都被偷走了。算命的人大吃一惊，立刻气得跳了起来，唉声叹气地赶回家中。旁观者都被逗笑了，其中一个人说道：“这位朋友声称自己能预知将来，可是看上去他并不聪明，怎么连自己的事都没预料到呢？”
THE PROPHET
A Prophet sat in the market-place and told the fortunes of all who cared to engage his services. Suddenly there came running up one who told him that his house had been broken into by thieves, and that they had made off with everything they could lay hands on. He was up in a moment, and rushed off, tearing his hair and calling down curses on the miscreants. The bystanders were much amused, and one of them said, “Our friend professes to know what is going to happen to others, but it seems he’s not clever enough to perceive what’s in store for himself.”
Moral
The moral of this story is to be prepared for the worst, even if you think you know what the future holds.
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11.75. 被捕的号兵#
有一个号兵，在战役中总是冲在大部队的前面，利用吹响号角为同志们加油。在被敌人抓获后，他说：”不要杀死我，我从没杀过任何人，实际上，我没有任何武器，只有这把铜号。”然而，敌人却对他说道：“那你就更应当被处死了，因为你自己虽然没去打仗，可你却召集其他人来攻打我们。”
THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER
A Trumpeter marched into battle in the van of the army and put courage into his comrades by his warlike tunes. Being captured by the enemy, he begged for his life, and said, “Do not put me to death; I have killed no one: indeed, I have no weapons, but carry with me only my trumpet here.” But his captors replied, “That is only the more reason why we should take your life; for, though you do not fight yourself, you stir up others to do so.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that words can have just as powerful an effect as actions, and may be just as accountable for the damage they cause.
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11.76. 金枪鱼和海豚#
一条金枪鱼在水中急速穿行，而追赶他的海豚一直在后面穷追不舍，眼看着就要被海豚捉住了，金枪鱼猛然一跳，不料用劲太猛，让自己在岸边搁浅了。紧追不舍的海豚因为惯性也跟着金枪鱼一跳，同样搁浅在岸边。这时，金枪鱼看到敌人也像自己一样奄奄一息，便说：“现在，死对我来说已经无所谓了，因为我已亲眼看到，那个引我致死的家伙也与我一起同归于尽了。”
THE TUNNY-FISH AND THE DOLPHIN
A Tunny-fish was chased by a Dolphin and splashed through the water at a great rate, but the Dolphin gradually gained upon him, and was just about to seize him when the force of his flight carried the Tunny on to a sandbank. In the heat of the chase the Dolphin followed him, and there they both lay out of the water, gasping for dear life. When the Tunny saw that his enemy was doomed like himself, he said, “I don’t mind having to die now: for I see that he who is the cause of my death is about to share the same fate.”
Moral
This story teaches us that it is wrong to take revenge on someone, as they might suffer the same consequences as you. It is better to show mercy and forgive, rather than seeking revenge.
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11.77. 三个工匠#
某个城镇中的居民在讨论什么样的好材料才能用于对抗敌人的进攻，从而可以确保全城人的安全。一个木匠挺身而出，主张用木头作为防御材料，既随手可得又操作简单；一个石匠毅然反对，他说木头容易被点燃，太不安全了，而他则提议用石头。接着，一个皮匠站起来，说：“依我看来，没有什么能比皮子更适合做防御工事的材料了。”
THE THREE TRADESMEN
The citizens of a certain city were debating about the best material to use in the fortifications which were about to be erected for the greater security of the town. A Carpenter got up and advised the use of wood, which he said was readily procurable and easily worked. A Stonemason objected to wood on the ground that it was so inflammable, and recommended stones instead. Then a Tanner got on his legs and said, “In my opinion there’s nothing like leather.”
11.78. 城市鼠和乡下鼠#
一只住在城里的老鼠和一只住在乡下的老鼠是好朋友。有一天，乡下鼠邀请城市老鼠到他的家里来玩，看看他那田地里的家。城里鼠如约而至，他们坐下来分享了以大麦粒和树根为主的晚餐，那些树根还带着一种独特的泥土气息。这些食物显然不太对客人的胃口，最后，客人忍不住脱口而出：”可怜的朋友，你在这里生活，比蚂蚁好不到哪里去。你真应该去看看我都吃些什么！我的储藏室里可都是好东西，你一定得来和我一起生活，我保证你一定会过上锦衣玉食的日子！”于是，城里鼠带着乡下鼠回到了城里，还让他欣赏了装满面粉、燕麦、无花果、蜂蜜和大枣的储藏室。乡下鼠从未见过这么多的美食，坐下来好好欣赏着朋友提供的这些佳肴，就在他们正要开始吃的时候，储藏室的门被打开了，有人走了进来。两只老鼠立刻惊慌而逃，赶紧钻进了一个窄小的鼠洞。不久，储藏室里又恢复了平静，他们接着跑出来，不过，接着又有人进屋来拿东西。乡下来的客人可不习惯这种躲躲藏藏的生活方式。”再见了，朋友！”他说，“我要走了。你的确是过着锦衣玉食的日子，我已经看到了，但是你却时刻处在危险之中，而我还是回家去平平安安地享受那简单的树根和大麦吧。”
THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse were acquaintances, and the Country Mouse one day invited his friend to come and see him at his home in the fields. The Town Mouse came, and they sat down to a dinner of barleycorns and roots, the latter of which had a distinctly earthy flavour. The fare was not much to the taste of the guest, and presently he broke out with “My poor dear friend, you live here no better than the ants. Now, you should just see how I fare! My larder is a regular horn of plenty. You must come and stay with me, and I promise you, you shall live on the fat of the land.” So when he returned to town he took the Country Mouse with him, and showed him into a larder containing flour and oatmeal and figs and honey and dates. The Country Mouse had never seen anything like it, and sat down to enjoy the luxuries his friend provided: but before they had well begun, the door of the larder opened and some one came in. The two Mice scampered off and hid themselves in a narrow and exceedingly uncomfortable hole. Presently, when all was quiet, they ventured out again; but some one else came in, and off they scuttled again. This was too much for the visitor. “Good-bye,” said he, “I’m off. You live in the lap of luxury, I can see, but you are surrounded by dangers; whereas at home I can enjoy my simple dinner of roots and corn in peace.”
Moral
Moral: It is often better to be content with a simple life, than to pursue luxuries and put yourself in danger.
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11.79. 狮子和公牛#
狮子看见牛群中有一头体态肥硕的公牛在吃草，便思忖着用什么方法能让公牛受骗上当。于是，狮子对公牛说自己杀了一只羊，并问他是否愿意赏光，和自己共同分享这只羊。公牛接受了邀请，但是当公牛向着狮子的巢穴走时，只看到了炖锅和水，根本没看见羊的痕迹。于是，他一声不吭地转身走了。狮子在他身后大喊，带着受伤的语气询问原因，而公牛则转身说：“我的理由很充分，一看到你准备的那些东西，我就惊呆了，那个受害者可能不是一只羊，而是一头公牛。”
THE LION AND THE BULL
A Lion saw a fine fat Bull pasturing among a herd of cattle and cast about for some means of getting him into his clutches; so he sent him word that he was sacrificing a sheep, and asked if he would do him the honour of dining with him. The Bull accepted the invitation, but, on arriving at the Lion’s den, he saw a great array of saucepans and spits, but no sign of a sheep; so he turned on his heel and walked quietly away. The Lion called after him in an injured tone to ask the reason, and the Bull turned round and said, “I have reason enough. When I saw all your preparations it struck me at once that the victim was to be a Bull and not a sheep.”
11.80. 逃跑的寒鸦#
有人捕捉到一只寒鸦，并用麻绳绑住了他的一只脚，然后给孩子当宠物玩。可是，寒鸦很不愿意与人一起生活。过了一段时间后，当他看上去似乎已经被驯服了时，人们便不再密切监视他了。于是，寒鸦趁机逃出去，飞回了自己的老巢。不幸的是，他的腿上依然还绑着那根绳子，很快便被树枝缠住再也飞不起来了。看到自己性命无保，寒鸦绝望地哭喊道：“唉，为了获得自由，我竟丢失了性命。”
THE ESCAPED JACKDAW
A Man caught a Jackdaw and tied a piece of string to one of its legs, and then gave it to his children for a pet. But the Jackdaw didn’t at all like having to live with people; so, after a while, when he seemed to have become fairly tame and they didn’t watch him so closely, he slipped away and flew back to his old haunts. Unfortunately, the string was still on his leg, and before long it got entangled in the branches of a tree and the Jackdaw couldn’t get free, try as he would. He saw it was all up with him, and cried in despair, “Alas, in gaining my freedom I have lost my life.”
11.81. 乌鸦和天鹅#
一只乌鸦非常妒忌白天鹅那美丽的羽翼，以为那一身漂亮的白色羽毛是由于经常在水中游泳和洗浴而得来的。于是，乌鸦便离开了靠着肉类祭祀品而赖以谋生的祭坛，前往池塘和溪流中居住。可是，尽管他日日勤于在水中梳洗自己的羽毛，却总也不能使其变成白色，反而因忍饥挨饿而死去。
THE CROW AND THE SWAN
A Crow was filled with envy on seeing the beautiful white plumage of a Swan, and thought it was due to the water in which the Swan constantly bathed and swam. So he left the neighbour hood of the altars, where he got his living by picking up bits of the meat offered in sacrifice, and went and lived among the pools and streams. But though he bathed and washed his feathers many times a day, he didn’t make them any whiter, and at last died of hunger into the bargain.
Moral
You may change your habits, but not your nature.
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11.82. 独眼鹿#
有一只瞎了一只眼的鹿，在靠近海边的草场游荡，他用那只好眼睛注视着陆地，以防备猎人的攻击，而用那只瞎了的眼对着大海，以为海上不会对他有什么危险。然而，正从海上经过此处的几个水手看见了这头鹿，一箭射倒了他。鹿受了致命重伤，将要咽气的时候，他自言自语地说：“我真是不幸！我确信地上会有危险，可是却什么也没发生；而我以为大海这面没什么危险，但是却要了我的命。”
THE STAG WITH ONE EYE
A Stag, blind of one eye, was grazing close to the sea-shore and kept his sound eye turned towards the land, so as to be able to perceive the approach of the hounds, while the blind eye he turned towards the sea, never suspecting that any danger would threaten him from that quarter. As it fell out, however, some sailors, coasting along the shore, spied him and shot an arrow at him, by which he was mortally wounded. As he lay dying, he said to himself, “Wretch that I am! I bethought me of the dangers of the land, whence none assailed me: but I feared no peril from the sea, yet thence has come my ruin.”
Moral
Misfortune often assails us from an unexpected quarter.
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11.83. 苍蝇和拉车的骡子#
一只苍蝇坐在马车的车轴上，对拉车的骡子说：”你走得太慢了！再走快一点，不然我就要咬你一下，来刺激你了。”骡子丝毫没有感到不安。”主人正坐在我身后的马车上，”骡子说，“他握着缰绳，而且还会用鞭子来抽打我。我只遵从他的命令，不需要你来指指点点。我很清楚什么时候该快，什么时候该慢。”
THE FLY AND THE DRAUGHT- MULE
A Fly sat on one of the shafts of a cart and said to the Mule who was pulling it, “How slow you are! Do mend your pace, or I shall have to use my sting as a goad.” The Mule was not in the least disturbed. “Behind me, in the cart,” said he, “sits my master. He holds the reins, and flicks me with his whip, and him I obey, but I don’t want any of your impertinence. I know when I may dawdle and when I may not.”
Moral
Always remember to obey those in authority over you, but don’t allow anyone to mistreat you.
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11.84. 农夫和鹳#
为了捉住那些前来偷吃种子的鹤，农夫在刚刚播种的田里布下许多陷阱。等农夫再来检查陷阱时，发现几只鹤被捉住了，其中还有一只鹳。鹳哀求农夫放了自己，他说：”你不应该杀了我，因为我又不是鹤，而是一只鹳，你仔细看看我的羽毛，就明白我与鹤完全不同了。我是最诚实的鸟儿，从不伤害别人。”然而，农夫却说：“你究竟是什么，对我来说并不重要，但是我在网中发现了你，那你就得和这些毁了庄稼的鹤一起受苦了。”
THE FARMER AND THE STORK
A Farmer set some traps in a field which he had lately sown with corn, in order to catch the cranes which came to pick up the seed. When he returned to look at his traps he found several cranes caught, and among them a Stork, which begged to be let go, and said, “You ought not to kill me: I am not a crane, but a Stork, as you can easily see by my feathers, and I am the most honest and harmless of birds.” But the Farmer replied, “It’s nothing to me what you are: I find you among these cranes, who ruin my crops, and, like them, you shall suffer.”
Moral
If you choose bad companions no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself.
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11.85. 战马和磨坊主#
一匹曾经驮着主人驰骋沙场的战马，感到自己年事已高，便选择离开战场，到一个磨坊里去工作。他发现自己再也无法在听到战鼓雷鸣时昂头挺胸地前进了，只能被迫埋头于终日磨谷子的劳作之中。战马垂头丧气地哀叹着自己的命运，有一天，他对磨坊主说：”唉，我曾经可是一匹光彩照人的战马，不仅披着华丽的战袍，而且还有专门的马倌照顾我。现如今，我这是什么下场呀！真希望我当初没有离开战场，为什么要到这个磨坊来呀。”磨坊主粗暴地回答说：“不必追悔过去，命运总会有所起伏，随缘而安就好了。”
THE CHARGER AND THE MILLER
A Horse, who had been used to carry his rider into battle, felt himself growing old and chose to work in a mill instead. He now no longer found himself stepping out proudly to the beating of the drums, but was compelled to slave away all day grinding the corn. Bewailing his hard lot, he said one day to the Miller, “Ah me! I was once a splendid war-horse, gaily caparisoned, and attended by a groom whose sole duty was to see to my wants. How different is my present condition! I wish I had never given up the battlefield for the mill.” The Miller replied with asperity, “It’s no use your regretting the past. Fortune has many ups and downs: you must just take them as they come.”
Moral
No matter how difficult life may become, we must accept our circumstances and make the best of them, instead of longing for the past.
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11.86. 蚂蚱和蚂蚁#
冬天一个温暖如春的日子里，蚂蚁们正忙着晒干自己存储的粮食。由于下了很长时间的雨，粮食已经非常潮湿了。这时，来了一只蚂蚱，向他们乞讨一点粮食。”因为，”蚂蚱说，”我实在是饿坏了。”尽管有点违背原则，但蚂蚁们还是停下了手头的工作。”我们能问你一下吗？”他们说，“整个夏天你都在做些什么呢？为什么不为冬天储存一些粮食呢？””实际上，”蚂蚱回答道，“我一直在忙着唱歌，根本没有时间存储粮食。””如果你整个夏天都在唱歌，”蚂蚁们回答道，”那么，你最好在冬天就忙着跳舞吧。”他们哈哈大笑起来，继续忙于各自的工作。
THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS
One fine day in winter some Ants were busy drying their store of corn, which had got rather damp during a long spell of rain. Presently up came a Grasshopper and begged them to spare her a few grains, “For,” she said, “I’m simply starving.” The Ants stopped work for a moment, though this was against their principles. “May we ask,” said they, “what you were doing with yourself all last summer? Why didn’t you collect a store of food for the winter?” “The fact is,” replied the Grasshopper, “I was so busy singing that I hadn’t the time.” “If you spent the summer singing,” replied the Ants, “you can’t do better than spend the winter dancing.” And they chuckled and went on with their work.
Moral
The moral of this story is: Those who plan ahead and work hard will be rewarded, while those who are idle and neglectful will have to face the consequences.
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11.87. 农夫与蛇#
在一个冬日，农夫发现了一条冻僵了的蛇，出于同情心，农夫便把蛇放在自己怀里。蛇感觉到一点温暖苏醒过来，立刻就冲着恩人咬了一大口，使他受到了致命的伤害。这个可怜的农夫在临死前说：“这是我应得的报应，竟然会怜悯一个罪大恶极的生灵。”
THE FARMER AND THE VIPER
One winter a Farmer found a Viper frozen and numb with cold, and out of pity picked it up and placed it in his bosom. The Viper was no sooner revived by the warmth than it turned upon its benefactor and inflicted a fatal bite upon him; and as the poor man lay dying, he cried, “I have only got what I deserved, for taking compassion on so villainous a creature.”
11.88. 修鞋匠行医#
一个手艺不怎么样的鞋匠发现自己无法靠修鞋来维持生计，便放弃了补鞋的活，改行做起了医生。他对外宣称自己有一个可祛百毒的解药秘方，因为出色的吹牛本领，他骗取了人们的信任，赢得了好名声。然而，有一天，他自己得了重病。国王想借此试验一下他的药效，因此便叫人拿来一个杯子，倒了一点他的解药，然后加了些水，谎称这是毒药，随后又命令他喝下去。补鞋匠担心会中毒，便承认自己并不懂什么医药知识，而那个解药也一无是处。国王便召集起所有臣民，对他们说：“你们简直都愚笨至极，这就是那个没人愿意让他给补靴子的修鞋匠，而你们竟然毫不犹豫地将自己的性命托付给他！”
THE COBBLER TURNED DOCTOR
A very unskilful Cobbler, finding himself unable to make a living at his trade, gave up mending boots and took to doctoring instead. He gave out that he had the secret of a universal antidote against all poisons, and acquired no small reputation, thanks to his talent for puffing himself. One day, however, he fell very ill; and the King of the country bethought him that he would test the value of his remedy. Calling, therefore, for a cup, he poured out a dose of the antidote, and, under pretence of mixing poison with it, added a little water, and commanded him to drink it. Terrified by the fear of being poisoned, the Cobbler confessed that he knew nothing about medicine, and that his antidote was worthless. Then the King summoned his subjects and addressed them as follows: “What folly could be greater than yours? Here is this Cobbler to whom no one will send his boots to be mended, and yet you have not hesitated to entrust him with your lives!”
Moral
The moral of this story is that we should be careful and discerning when entrusting our lives to others, and should not be easily taken in by someone’s claims or pretenses.
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11.89. 胃和体内的各器官#
有一次，人体内的各个器官集体抗议胃。他们说：”你过着享受的日子，又很懒惰，从来没有干过什么活，而我们不仅要承担繁重的必要工作，还得甘当你的奴隶，为满足你的各种欲望而服务。从现在起，我们什么也不做了，你自力更生吧。”他们的确说到做到了，胃只得一直挨饿。而结果可能是他们早已预料到的——整个身体很快就虚弱下来，体内的各个器官也跟着一起衰弱下来。他们这才悔恨自己的愚蠢，可为时已晚了。
THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS
The Members of the Body once rebelled against the Belly. “You,” they said to the Belly, “live in luxury and sloth, and never do a stroke of work; while we not only have to do all the hard work there is to be done, but are actually your slaves and have to minister to all your wants. Now, we will do so no longer, and you can shift for yourself for the future.” They were as good as their word, and left the Belly to starve. The result was just what might have been expected: the whole Body soon began to fail, and the Members and all shared in the general collapse. And then they saw too late how foolish they had been.
Moral
The moral of this story is that we are all connected and dependent on one another. When we neglect our responsibilities to each other, the entire system can break down and we will all suffer the consequences.
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11.90. 秃子和苍蝇#
一只苍蝇落在一个秃顶的男人头上，还咬了他一口。带着想杀死它的迫切心情，男人猛打了自己一下。但是，苍蝇却逃脱了，并且嘲笑他说：“就因为我小小地咬了你一口，你就想杀死我。看看你现在都干了些什么，反倒狠狠地打了自己。””噢，我打自己倒不怨恨，”那个人答道，“因为我从来没有想过伤害自己，而你却是一个以吸吮人类鲜血为生的卑鄙家伙，要了你的命，才会让我舒服点！”
THE BALD MAN AND THE FLY
A Fly settled on the head of a Bald Man and bit him. In his eagerness to kill it, he hit himself a smart slap. But the Fly escaped, and said to him in derision, “You tried to kill me for just one little bite; what will you do to yourself now, for the heavy smack you have just given yourself?” “Oh, for that blow I bear no grudge,” he replied, “for I never intended myself any harm; but as for you, you contemptible insect, who live by sucking human blood, I’d have borne a good deal more than that for the satisfaction of dashing the life out of you!”
Moral
It is better to be mindful of your own behavior than to take out your feelings on others.
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11.91. 病人和医生#
有个人生了病，请医生来看病，医生问他感觉如何。”还好，医生，”他说，”就是发现有点出汗过多。”医生说：”这是好事。”第二次来看病人时，医生又问他同样的问题，他回答说：”和以前差不多，就是有点发抖，总感觉冷。”医生又说：”这也是好现象。”医生第三次来看他，又询问他的健康状况时，病人说感觉自己在发烧。”非常好的现象，”医生说，”其实，你的身体很正常。”随后，病人的一个朋友来看他，并且问他感觉如何，他说：“我就要因为这些好现象而丧命了。”
THE SICK MAN AND THE DOCTOR
A Sick Man received a visit from his Doctor, who asked him how he was. “Fairly well, Doctor,” said he, “but I find I sweat a great deal.” “Ah,” said the Doctor, “that’s a good sign.” On his next visit he asked the same question, and his patient replied, “I’m much as usual, but I’ve taken to having shivering fits, which leave me cold all over.” “Ah,” said the Doctor, “that’s a good sign too.” When he came the third time and inquired as before about his patient’s health, the Sick Man said that he felt very feverish. “A very good sign,” said the Doctor; “you are doing very nicely indeed.” Afterwards a friend came to see the invalid, and on asking him how he did, received this reply: “My dear friend, I’m dying of good signs.”
Moral
The moral of this story is to trust your own judgement and instincts, rather than relying on the opinions of others.
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11.92. 旅人和法国梧桐树#
夏季里的一天，正值中午酷热难耐时，两个行人走在空旷且尘土飞扬的马路上。不久，他们来到一棵梧桐树下，躺在茂密树叶遮蔽的阴凉地里休息，从而躲避太阳的毒晒。在休息时，他们抬头看着枝叶四散的大树，其中一人对同伴说：”这棵树没什么用处呀！它没有结果，对人类没有什么好处。”梧桐树生气地打断了他们的谈话。”你们这些不知好歹的家伙！”它吼道，“你们走过来在这里寻找遮挡太阳的避难所，一边享受着我的树叶带来的阴凉，一边还骂我，说我是无用之材！”
THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PLANE-TREE
Two Travellers were walking along a bare and dusty road in the heat of a summer’s day. Coming presently to a Plane-tree, they joyfully turned aside to shelter from the burning rays of the sun in the deep shade of its spreading branches. As they rested, looking up into the tree, one of them remarked to his companion, “What a useless tree the Plane is! It bears no fruit and is of no service to man at all.” The Plane-tree interrupted him with indignation. “You ungrateful creature!” it cried: “you come and take shelter under me from the scorching sun, and then, in the very act of enjoying the cool shade of my foliage, you abuse me and call me good for nothing!”
11.93. 跳蚤和公牛#
有一次，跳蚤问公牛：”像你这般高大强壮的家伙，竟然满足于终日为人类服务，为他们付出辛勤的劳动；而像我这样连你都看不清楚的小虫子，却在人类的肉体上生活，毫无顾忌地吸他们的鲜血，什么劳动也不用付出，你怎么会受得了呢？”公牛回答说：“人类对我很好，所以我很感激他们。他们给我吃的，给我住的，还经常抚摸、拍打我的头和脖子，以示喜爱。””他们也打我，”跳蚤说，“如果我愿意挨打的话，可是，我很小心地不让他们打我，否则，我的小命可就保不住了。”
THE FLEA AND THE OX
A Flea once said to an Ox, “How comes it that a big strong fellow like you is content to serve mankind, and do all their hard work for them, while I, who am no bigger than you see, live on their bodies and drink my fill of their blood, and never do a stroke for it all?” To which the Ox replied, “Men are very kind to me, and so I am grateful to them: they feed and house me well, and every now and then they show their fondness for me by patting me on the head and neck.” “They’d pat me, too,” said the Flea, “if I let them: but I take good care they don’t, or there would be nothing left of me.”
Moral
The moral of the story is to be grateful for the kindness of others and to recognize their generosity. Don’t take advantage of situations or people, or you may find yourself in over your head.
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11.94. 鸟、兽和蝙蝠#
鸟类和野兽开战了，双方各有胜负，都没占到什么便宜。蝙蝠显然没有明确地加入到任何一方之中，而总是依附强的一方。当鸟类占上风时，就会发现他在鸟群中；而当兽类占上风时，他又跑到了兽群之中。在战争过程中，谁也没有注意到他。然而，战争一结束，鸟和兽宣告和平相处时，都不想要蝙蝠这样的两面派。所以，从此以后，蝙蝠总在白天躲起来，让双方都看不到他。
THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT
The Birds were at war with the Beasts, and many battles were fought with varying success on either side. The Bat did not throw in his lot definitely with either party, but when things went well for the Birds he was found fighting in their ranks; when, on the other hand, the Beasts got the upper hand, he was to be found among the Beasts. No one paid any attention to him while the war lasted: but when it was over, and peace was restored, neither the Birds nor the Beasts would have anything to do with so double-faced a traitor, and so he remains to this day a solitary outcast from both.
Moral
Moral: Be loyal to your commitments and don’t be a traitor, or you will end up all alone.
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11.95. 老鹰、寒鸦和牧羊人#
有一天，一只寒鸦看到老鹰从高岩上直飞而下，抓起一只羊羔就飞走了。”我的天呀，”寒鸦说，”我也要试试。”于是，他飞上高空，接着又扑腾着翅膀俯冲下来，扑通一声猛扑到一只公羊背上。刚一飞下来，它的爪子就被羊毛缠住了，无论如何也拔不出来。尽管他使劲拍打着翅膀，可仍然被卡在那里，不但于事无补，反倒更加糟糕了。不久，牧羊人走过来了。”哦，”他说，”这就是你想做的事情，是吗？”他拿起寒鸦，剪断了他的翅膀，带回家给孩子玩。寒鸦的样子非常奇怪，孩子们都不知道它是什么东西。”爸爸，这是一种什么鸟呀？”孩子们问道。牧羊人回答道：“这是一只寒鸦，只不过是一只寒鸦而已，可他却想当一只老鹰。”
THE EAGLE, THE JACKDAW, AND THE SHEPHERD
One day a Jackdaw saw an Eagle swoop down on a lamb and carry it off in its talons. “My word,” said the Jackdaw, “I’ll do that myself.” So it flew high up into the air, and then came shooting down with a great whirring of wings on to the back of a big ram. It had no sooner alighted than its claws got caught fast in the wool, and nothing it could do was of any use: there it stuck, flapping away, and only making things worse instead of better. By and by up came the Shepherd. “Oho,” he said, “so that’s what you’d be doing, is it?” And he took the Jackdaw, and clipped its wings and carried it home to his children. It looked so odd that they didn’t know what to make of it. “What sort of bird is it, father?” they asked. “It’s a Jackdaw,” he replied, “and nothing but a Jackdaw: but it wants to be taken for an Eagle.”
Moral
If you attempt what is beyond your power, your trouble will be wasted and you court not only misfortune but ridicule.
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11.96. 牡鹿和葡萄藤#
一只鹿为了逃避猎人的追捕，躲藏在一棵茂盛的葡萄藤下。猎人找不到鹿的踪迹了，虽然刚从葡萄藤旁经过，却并没有发现他。鹿以为躲过了危险，便旁若无人地开始吃那茂盛的葡萄叶子。这个动静吸引了猎人们的注意，他们马上掉回头来，其中一个人认为叶子底下一定躲着什么动物，一箭就射中了鹿。不幸的鹿被箭刺穿了心脏，临死前说道：“我真是活该，因为我恩将仇报，吃了那曾经救过我一命的葡萄藤。”
THE STAG AND THE VINE
A Stag, pursued by the huntsmen, concealed himself under cover of a thick Vine. They lost track of him and passed by his hiding-place without being aware that he was anywhere near. Supposing all danger to be over, he presently began to browse on the leaves of the Vine. The movement drew the attention of the returning huntsmen, and one of them, supposing some animal to be hidden there, shot an arrow at a venture into the foliage. The unlucky Stag was pierced to the heart, and, as he expired, he said, “I deserve my fate for my treachery in feeding upon the leaves of my protector.”
Moral
Ingratitude sometimes brings its own punishment.
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11.97. 射手和狮子#
从前，有一个神射手到山里去寻找猎物，森林里的野兽一见到他，全都逃得无影无踪，只有高傲的狮子依然待在原地，向他发出挑战。然而，射手冲狮子射出一箭，说：”这只是给你报个信，你等着吧，看看我怎么收拾你。”狮子感觉到箭伤的疼痛后，竭力地快速逃走了。一只在旁观看的狐狸对狮子说：”别做懦夫呀，为什么你不待在原地，展示一下你的斗志呢？”可是狮子却回答说：“你可不能让我冒死呀，显示斗志的又不是你。为什么要跑，他射过来的一支箭都这么厉害，他本人肯定也不是一个好对付的家伙。”
THE ARCHER AND THE LION
An Archer went up into the hills to get some sport with his bow, and all the animals fled at the sight of him with the exception of the Lion, who stayed behind and challenged him to fight. But he shot an arrow at the Lion and hit him, and said, “There, you see what my messenger can do: just you wait a moment and I’ll tackle you myself.” The Lion, however, when he felt the sting of the arrow, ran away as fast as his legs could carry him. A fox, who had seen it all happen, said to the Lion, “Come, don’t be a coward: why don’t you stay and show fight?” But the Lion replied, “You won’t get me to stay, not you: why, when he sends a messenger like that before him, he must himself be a terrible fellow to deal with.”
Moral
Give a wide berth to those who can do damage at a distance.
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11.98. 病鹿#
一只生了病的鹿躺在森林里的一片空地上，虚弱得无力挪动。鹿生病的消息四散开来，众多野兽纷纷前来探望，他们无一例外都会或多或少地吃一点鹿身边生长着的草。最后，在病鹿周围再也看不到一片小草了。几天后，鹿的身体虽然开始复原了，但是依然十分虚弱，无法站起来出去找东西吃。终于，他死了，但并非死于疾病，而是不幸地被饿死了，这都是因为朋友们的不体贴而造成的。
THE SICK STAG
A Stag fell sick and lay in a clearing in the forest, too weak to move from the spot. When the news of his illness spread, a number of the other beasts came to inquire after his health, and they one and all nibbled a little of the grass that grew round the invalid till at last there was not a blade within his reach. In a few days he began to mend, but was still too feeble to get up and go in search of fodder; and thus he perished miserably of hunger owing to the thoughtlessness of his friends.
Moral
Moral of the story: Thoughtlessness can cause more harm than good. Be mindful of the consequences of your actions before offering help.
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11.99. 哥哥和妹妹#
某人有两个孩子，一个儿子和一个女儿。儿子长相英俊，而女儿却相貌平平。有一天，兄妹俩在妈妈的房间里玩，偶然走到镜子前，第一次看见了自己的真实面目。哥哥看到自己是个英俊的小伙子，就开始向妹妹鼓吹自己的相貌；从妹妹的角度来说，她一看到自己相貌平平，都快要哭出来了，就把哥哥的自夸当成了对自己的嘲笑。她便跑到父亲跟前，抱怨说哥哥太自负了，而且还乱动妈妈的东西。父亲笑着亲吻了两个孩子，并说：“我的好孩子，今后你们可要好好利用这个镜子。我的儿子，你可要像自己的英俊相貌一样努力出众；我的女儿，可以用你的美德来弥补相貌上的不足。”
BROTHER AND SISTER
A certain man had two children, a boy and a girl: and the boy was as good-looking as the girl was plain. One day, as they were playing together in their mother’s chamber, they chanced upon a mirror and saw their own features for the first time. The boy saw what a handsome fellow he was, and began to boast to his Sister about his good looks: she, on her part, was ready to cry with vexation when she was aware of her plainness, and took his remarks as an insult to herself. Running to her father, she told him of her Brother’s conceit, and accused him of meddling with his mother’s things. He laughed and kissed them both, and said, “My children, learn from now onwards to make a good use of the glass. You, my boy, strive to be as good as it shows you to be handsome; and you, my girl, resolve to make up for the plainness of your features by the sweetness of your disposition.”
Moral
The moral of the story is to strive to be good on the inside, rather than focusing on our physical appearance.
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11.100. 小母牛和公牛#
一头小母牛走到一头公牛跟前，看见公牛在辛苦地耕田，便以一种居高临下的方式悲叹公牛天生劳苦的可怜命运。不久，村子里要举行节日庆祝仪式，所有的人和动物都放假了。可是，就在公牛被放逐到牧场吃草时，小母牛却被抓去充当祭祀品。这时，公牛冷笑道：“喂，现在我知道你为何这么悠闲自得了，因为你天生就要去当祭祀品。”
THE HEIFER AND THE OX
A Heifer went up to an Ox, who was straining hard at the plough, and sympathised with him in a rather patronising sort of way on the necessity of his having to work so hard. Not long afterwards there was a festival in the village and every one kept holiday: but, whereas the Ox was turned loose into the pasture, the Heifer was seized and led off to sacrifice. “Ah,” said the Ox, with a grim smile, “I see now why you were allowed to have such an idle time: it was because you were always intended for the altar.”
Moral
This story teaches us that no good deed goes unpunished, and that we should be cautious when trying to help others, as we never know what could happen in return.
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11.101. 狮子的王国#
狮子自从统治了地球上的百兽之后，从未施行过任何凶暴、残忍的手段，而是像国王应有的那样公正、仁慈。在统治百兽期间，他曾经召集所有的动物开大会，拟订一个大家都应遵守的法规，便于让动物们公平、和谐地相处。狼和羊，老虎和鹿，豹子和小山羊，狗和野兔等，大家都应该按照规定友好和睦地相处。兔子说：“哦！这一天，我期盼已久了！这样一来，弱者再也不用惧怕强者了，终于有了自己的一席之地。”
THE KINGDOM OF THE LION
When the Lion reigned over the beasts of the earth he was never cruel or tyrannical, but as gentle and just as a King ought to be. During his reign he called a general assembly of the beasts, and drew up a code of laws under which all were to live in perfect equality and harmony: the wolf and the lamb, the tiger and the stag, the leopard and the kid, the dog and the hare, all should dwell side by side in unbroken peace and friendship. The hare said, “Oh! how I have longed for this day when the weak take their place without fear by the side of the strong!”
Moral
The moral of this story is that peace and equality are attainable when kindness and justice are upheld.
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11.102. 狮子和野兔#
一只狮子发现一只兔子正在窝里睡觉，便想趁机吃掉她。这时，他又看见旁边有一只鹿经过。狮子立刻丢下兔子，去追赶个头更大的鹿。然而，追了一阵子后，狮子发现根本追不上鹿，于是就放弃了目标，又回过头来找兔子。可是，等他回到兔窝时，却发现兔子早已逃之夭夭。这下，他的晚餐全都泡汤了。狮子说：“我真活该！我应该满足于唾手可得的东西，而不应贪心去追求更大的奖励。”
THE LION AND THE HARE
A Lion found a Hare sleeping in her form, and was just going to devour her when he caught sight of a passing stag. Dropping the Hare, he at once made for the bigger game; but finding, after a long chase, that he could not overtake the stag, he abandoned the attempt and came back for the Hare. When he reached the spot, however, he found she was nowhere to be seen, and he had to go without his dinner. “It serves me right,” he said; “I should have been content with what I had got, instead of hankering after a better prize.”
Moral
The moral of this story is: Be content with what you have, instead of striving for something better.
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11.103. 公牛和小牛#
一头公牛竭尽全力要挤过一道窄门到牛棚里去，他的牛栏就在棚里。这时，一头小牛犊走了过来，对公牛说：”如果你能闪到一边去，我就告诉你怎么过去。”公牛开心地看了他一眼，说：“你还没出世之前，我就早已知道那个办法了。”
THE BULL AND THE CALF
A full-grown Bull was struggling to force his huge bulk through the narrow entrance to a cow-house where his stall was, when a young Calf came up and said to him, “If you’ll step aside a moment, I’ll show you the way to get through.” The Bull turned upon him an amused look. “I knew that way,” said he, “before you were born.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that wisdom often comes with experience and age.
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11.104. 树和斧头#
一个樵夫走进森林里，请求树给他一根木头做斧柄。树的首领马上就答应了樵夫那温和谦逊的请求，毫不犹豫地给了他一根小树枝。樵夫用小树枝做成了自己想要的斧柄。刚一完成这个任务，他接着就在森林里用斧头砍起其中最贵重的一棵大树。当树看到樵夫用的正是自己给他的礼物时，说：“哎呀，哎呀！我们是自己葬送了自己。给他的那一根小树枝，竟然葬送了我们大家的命。要是我们没给它，也许我们还能在这里多站几年。”
THE TREES AND THE AXE
A Woodman went into the forest and begged of the Trees the favour of a handle for his Axe. The principal Trees at once agreed to so modest a request, and unhesitatingly gave him a young ash sapling, out of which he fashioned the handle he desired. No sooner had he done so than he set to work to fell the noblest Trees in the wood. When they saw the use to which he was putting their gift, they cried, “Alas! alas! We are undone, but we are ourselves to blame. The little we gave has cost us all: had we not sacrificed the rights of the ash, we might ourselves have stood for ages.”
Moral
Giving too much away can sometimes cause more harm than good. It’s important to remember to protect your own interests, even when being generous.
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11.105. 天文学家#
有一个天文学家养成了晚上出去观察星象的习惯。有一个夜晚，当他走出城门来到郊外后，便聚精会神地观察着天空，一不小心掉进一口枯井里。当他正坐在井里呻吟时，一个刚好从旁经过的人听到了，便走到井边向下看，待了解了事情经过后，对他说：“如果真如你所说，只是一味地努力向上看，而没有看清楚脚下的路况，那么在我看来，你就活该待在这里。”
THE ASTRONOMER
There was once an Astronomer whose habit it was to go out at night and observe the stars. One night, as he was walking about outside the town gates, gazing up absorbed into the sky and not looking where he was going, he fell into a dry well. As he lay there groaning, some one passing by heard him, and, coming to the edge of the well, looked down and, on learning what had happened, said, “If you really mean to say that you were looking so hard at the sky that you didn’t even see where your feet were carrying you along the ground, it appears to me that you deserve all you’ve got.”
Moral
The moral of this story is to always pay attention to your surroundings, even while pursuing your interests, or else you may suffer unnecessary consequences.
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11.106. 工人和蛇#
工人的小儿子被一条毒蛇咬了一口，并且死于蛇伤。悲痛气愤之余，工人抓起一把斧头，气冲冲地跑到蛇洞外，等待机会砍死蛇。不久，蛇从洞里出来了，工人立即一斧头砍过去，可是只砍断了它的尾巴尖。随后，工人还想再如法炮制，便假装想与蛇和解。可是，蛇却说：“我永远也无法成为你的朋友，因为我丢了自己的尾巴，而你却丢失了儿子。”
THE LABOURER AND THE SNAKE
A Labourer’s little son was bitten by a Snake and died of the wound. The father was beside himself with grief, and in his anger against the Snake he caught up an axe and went and stood close to the Snake’s hole, and watched for a chance of killing it. Presently the Snake came out, and the man aimed a blow at it, but only succeeded in cutting off the tip of its tail before it wriggled in again. He then tried to get it to come out a second time, pretending that he wished to make up the quarrel. But the Snake said, “I can never be your friend because of my lost tail, nor you mine because of your lost child.”
Moral
Injuries are never forgotten in the presence of those who caused them.
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11.107. 笼子里的鸟与蝙蝠#
一只画眉鸟被囚禁在窗外挂着的一个笼子里，当其他鸟儿都酣睡时，她却在夜里歌唱。有一个夜晚，蝙蝠飞过来，抓住鸟笼的栅栏，问她为什么白天默默无声，却在夜间放声歌唱。小鸟回答说：”我这样做是有道理的，曾经有一次，当我在白天唱歌时，一个捕鸟人被我的歌声吸引，就用鸟笼子捉住了我。从此我只在夜里唱歌。”可是，蝙蝠却说：“你现在这样做根本没用了，因为你已经成为了阶下囚。若是在被捉住之前这样做就好了，那样或许你依然是自由之身！”
THE CAGE-BIRD AND THE BAT
A Singing-bird was confined in a cage which hung outside a window, and had a way of singing at night when all other birds were asleep. One night a Bat came and clung to the bars of the cage, and asked the Bird why she was silent by day and sang only at night. “I have a very good reason for doing so,” said the Bird: “it was once when I was singing in the daytime that a fowler was attracted by my voice, and set his nets for me and caught me. Since then I have never sung except by night.” But the Bat replied, “It is no use your doing that now when you are a prisoner: if only you had done so before you were caught, you might still have been free.”
11.108. 欠债人和母猪#
一个雅典人欠了别人的钱，债主三番五次来催他还钱，但他当时根本没有办法还钱，所以请求延期几天。可是，债主却不答应，让他立刻还钱。迫不得已，欠债人把家中仅有的母猪带到市场上去卖。碰巧，债主也在那个市场里。过了一会儿，有一个买主走上前来，问这头猪是否还能下小猪崽。”当然了，”欠债人回答说，“能生下很好的小猪崽，而且更惊人的是，她还能在女神节生下小母猪，在帕纳西尼亚节生下小公猪。”（这是希腊的两个节日，雅典人总是在女神节杀一只小母猪祭祀，在帕纳西尼亚节杀一只小公猪祭祀，而在狂欢节杀一只小山羊做祭祀品。）债主听到他说的话，立刻站出来插话道：“一点都不奇怪，先生，为什么呢，因为更厉害的是，在狂欢节时，她还会生下小山羊呢！”
THE DEBTOR AND HIS SOW
A Man of Athens fell into debt and was pressed for the money by his creditor; but he had no means of paying at the time, so he begged for delay. But the creditor refused and said he must pay at once. Then the Debtor fetched a Sow—the only one he had—and took her to market to offer her for sale. It happened that his creditor was there too. Presently a buyer came along and asked if the Sow produced good litters. “Yes,” said the Debtor, “very fine ones; and the remarkable thing is that she produces females at the Mysteries and males at the Panathenea.” (Festivals these were: and the Athenians always sacrifice a sow at one, and a boar at the other; while at the Dionysia they sacrifice a kid.) At that the creditor, who was standing by, put in, “Don’t be surprised, sir; why, still better, at the Dionysia this Sow has kids!”
Moral
Moral of the story: A lie can be used to save you in a pinch, but it will not be enough to get you out of trouble in the long run.
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11.109. 秃头的猎人#
有一个人因为所有的头发都掉光了，便戴上了一顶假发。有一天，他出去打猎。突然，一阵狂风吹来，把他头上的帽子和假发一起吹跑了，此事成了狩猎活动中的一大乐事。然而，他本人说出来的话就更加可笑了：“哈哈，好吧，制成这顶假发的那些头发，早已不能固定在原主人的头上了，所以毫无疑问，它们也无法粘在我的头上。”
THE BALD HUNTSMAN
A Man who had lost all his hair took to wearing a wig, and one day he went out hunting. It was blowing rather hard at the time, and he hadn’t gone far before a gust of wind caught his hat and carried it off, and his wig too, much to the amusement of the hunt. But he quite entered into the joke, and said, “Ah, well! the hair that wig is made of didn’t stick to the head on which it grew; so it’s no wonder it won’t stick to mine.”
Moral
Always accept situations that cannot be changed with grace and humor.
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11.110. 牧人和丢失的公牛#
一个牧人在给牛喂草时发现丢了一头小公牛，那可是其中最好的一头牛。他立刻出去找牛，可是哪里都找不到，便发下誓言，只要让他发现偷牛的贼，他就会杀一头小牛供奉朱庇特。牧人继续去找他的牛，走着走着来到了一个灌木丛中，他忽然看见一只狮子正在津津有味地吃着那头丢失了的小公牛。他吓呆了，立刻举起双手向上天祈求说：“伟大的朱庇特，刚才我曾立誓，如果捉到贼，愿意献上一头小牛供奉你；但是现在，如果我可以安全地脱离狮口，我愿意再奉献一头成熟强壮的牛。”
THE HERDSMAN AND THE LOST BULL
A Herdsman was tending his cattle when he missed a young Bull, one of the finest of the herd. He went at once to look for him, but, meeting with no success in his search, he made a vow that, if he should discover the thief, he would sacrifice a calf to Jupiter. Continuing his search, he entered a thicket, where he presently espied a lion devouring the lost Bull. Terrified with fear, he raised his hands to heaven and cried, “Great Jupiter, I vowed I would sacrifice a calf to thee if I should discover the thief: but now a full-grown Bull I promise thee if only I myself escape unhurt from his clutches.”
Moral
Moral: Better to bear a small loss than risk a larger one.
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11.111. 骡子#
一天清晨，一匹衣食无忧、悠闲自在的骡子，认为自己天生好命，便高兴地自言自语道：”我的父亲一定是一匹能奔善跑的马，我非常像他。”然而，话音刚落，他就被套上马具，驮着沉重的货物上路了。一天下来，骡子已被那不同寻常的工作累垮了，他愁眉苦脸地说：“关于父亲的出身，我可能想错了，他不过是一头苦命的驴而已。”
THE MULE
One morning a Mule, who had too much to eat and too little to do, began to think himself a very fine fellow indeed, and frisked about saying, “My father was undoubtedly a high-spirited horse and I take after him entirely.” But very soon afterwards he was put into the harness and compelled to go a very long way with a heavy load behind him. At the end of the day, exhausted by his unusual exertions, he said dejectedly to himself, “I must have been mistaken about my father; he can only have been an ass after all.”
Moral
Moral: It’s easy to think highly of oneself, but one must be prepared to face reality and accept the truth.
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11.112. 父亲和他的女儿#
某人有两个女儿，一个嫁给了园丁，另一个嫁给了陶艺人。过了些日子，父亲心想应该去看看女儿们的生活如何。于是，他先来到嫁给园丁的女儿家里，他问女儿生活过得怎么样，她的丈夫又过得怎么样。女儿回答说一切都很好，”但是，”她又补充道，”我真希望能下场大雨，园子里太需要水了。”接着，他又来到嫁给陶艺人的女儿家里，问了同样的问题。女儿说她和丈夫什么都不缺，”可是，”她继续说，”我只希望能有个阳光充足的好天气，好让陶器快点干。”父亲带着滑稽的表情看着女儿，对她说：“你希望出太阳，而你的姐姐却盼着下雨，我本想祈祷让你的愿望也成真，可是现在，我认为自己最好什么也不管了。”
THE FATHER AND HIS DAUGHTERS
A Man had two Daughters, one of whom he gave in marriage to a gardener, and the other to a potter. After a time he thought he would go and see how they were getting on; and first he went to the gardener’s wife. He asked her how she was, and how things were going with herself and her husband. She replied that on the whole they were doing very well: “But,” she continued, “I do wish we could have some good heavy rain: the garden wants it badly.” Then he went on to the potter’s wife and made the same inquiries of her. She replied that she and her husband had nothing to complain of: “But,” she went on, “I do wish we could have some nice dry weather, to dry the pottery.” Her Father looked at her with a humorous expression on his face. “You want dry weather,” he said, “and your sister wants rain. I was going to ask in my prayers that your wishes should be granted; but now it strikes me I had better not refer to the subject.”
Moral
The moral of the story is to be mindful of others before yourself, and to be humble in your wishes. You can’t always have everything you want, so it is important to choose wisely and be grateful for what you have.
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11.113. 小偷和店主#
一个小偷在旅馆里租了一间房，一连住了好几天，想要偷一点东西。可是，一直没找到机会。直到有一天，人们要庆祝某个节日，老板穿着一件漂亮的新衣坐在门口透气。小偷很快就盯上了那件新衣服，想据为己有。店里也没有什么生意，小偷便走过去坐在老板旁边，与他闲谈起来。聊了一会儿，小偷突然打了一个呵欠，并像狼似的大吼了一声。旅馆老板关切地问他这是怎么了。小偷回答说：”我会告诉你有关我的事情，但是首先，请你负责照看一下我的衣服，因为我想把这些都留给你。我自己也不知道为什么要这样打呵欠，可能是对过去所犯恶行的一种惩罚吧。不过，无论是什么原因，实际上，等我第三次打呵欠时，就会变成一只狼，扑向人的喉咙。”说完之后，他又打了第二个呵欠，接着就像第一次一样大吼了一声。旅馆老板完全信以为真，一想到即将要面对一只狼，心里就很害怕。他立刻站起身来，准备夺门而逃。小偷扯住他的外衣，想留下他，并说：”先生，请等一等，拿走我的衣服吧，不然我再也看不到它们了。”刚一说完，他又张开嘴，准备打第三个呵欠。旅馆老板快被吓疯了，便赶紧从被小偷抓住的外套里溜出来，逃进旅馆里并锁上了门，而小偷则带着他夺来的战利品悄悄地溜走了。
THE THIEF AND THE INNKEEPER
A Thief hired a room at an inn, and stayed there some days on the look-out for something to steal. No opportunity, however, presented itself, till one day, when there was a festival to be celebrated, the Innkeeper appeared in a fine new coat and sat down before the door of the inn for an airing. The Thief no sooner set eyes upon the coat than he longed to get possession of it. There was no business doing, so he went and took a seat by the side of the Innkeeper, and began talking to him. They conversed together for some time, and then the Thief suddenly yawned and howled like a wolf. The Innkeeper asked him in some concern what ailed him. The Thief replied, “I will tell you about myself, sir, but first I must beg you to take charge of my clothes for me, for I intend to leave them with you. Why I have these fits of yawning I cannot tell: maybe they are sent as a punishment for my misdeeds; but, whatever the reason, the facts are that when I have yawned three times I become a ravening wolf and fly at men’s throats.” As he finished speaking he yawned a second time and howled again as before. The Innkeeper, believing every word he said, and terrified at the prospect of being confronted with a wolf, got up hastily and started to run indoors; but the Thief caught him by the coat and tried to stop him, crying, “Stay, sir, stay, and take charge of my clothes, or else I shall never see them again.” As he spoke he opened his mouth and began to yawn for the third time. The Innkeeper, mad with the fear of being eaten by a wolf, slipped out of his coat, which remained in the other’s hands, and bolted into the inn and locked the door behind him; and the Thief then quietly stole off with his spoil.
Moral
The moral of this story is that deceit can often be the easiest way to gain something, but it is rarely the most moral one.
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11.114. 蚂蚁#
很久很久以前，蚂蚁本来是人，以耕地为生。但是，他们不满足于自己的劳动所得，总是盯着邻居的水果和庄稼羡慕不已，只要一有机会，他们就会偷邻居的食物，放在自己的储藏室。后来，他们的贪婪让朱庇特十分生气，便把他们变成了现在的蚂蚁。然而，虽然他们的模样改变了，本性却依然未变。直到现在，他们仍然会到别人的田里采集人家的劳动成果，贮存起来留作自己的食物。
THE ANT
Ants were once men and made their living by tilling the soil. But, not content with the results of their own work, they were always casting longing eyes upon the crops and fruits of their neighbours, which they stole, whenever they got the chance, and added to their own store. At last their covetousness made Jupiter so angry that he changed them into Ants. But, though their forms were changed, their nature remained the same: and so, to this day, they go about among the cornfields and gather the fruits of others’ labour, and store them up for their own use.
11.115. 农夫、伙计和白嘴鸦#
一个农夫刚刚播下一片麦种，十分小心地守护着，因为有些秃鼻乌鸦和八哥不断地在耕地上找谷子吃。农夫的儿子也跟着农夫一起来到田里，手上还拿着一把弹弓，每当农夫要弹弓时，八哥都能听懂他的话，并警告秃鼻乌鸦赶快飞走。因此，农夫想出一招。”我的孩子，”他说，”我们必须得打败这些鸟。以后，等我想要弹弓时，我不会再说弹弓了，而只是”哼”一声，而你必须赶快递给我弹弓。”不久，鸟群又回来了。”哼！”农夫说，不过，这次八哥没注意到，所以农夫有时间弹了多次石头，还没等他们飞走，便击中了一只鸟的头，一只鸟的腿，另一只鸟的翅膀。乌鸦和八哥在逃跑的路上遇见了几只鹤，其中一只问他们出了什么事。”出事？”一只秃鼻乌鸦喊道，“都是人类那些骗子，他们就是麻烦。你不要去靠近他们。他们嘴里说一套，做的却是另一套，我们几个可怜的朋友刚刚因此而丧命呢！”
THE FARMER, HIS BOY, AND THE ROOKS
A Farmer had just sown a field of wheat, and was keeping a careful watch over it, for numbers of Rooks and starlings kept continually settling on it and eating up the grain. Along with him went his Boy, carrying a sling: and whenever the Farmer asked for the sling the starlings understood what he said and warned the Rooks and they were off in a moment. So the Farmer hit on a trick. “My lad,” said he, “we must get the better of these birds somehow. After this, when I want the sling, I won’t say ‘sling,’ but just ‘humph!’ and you must then hand me the sling quickly.” Presently back came the whole flock. “Humph!” said the Farmer; but the starlings took no notice, and he had time to sling several stones among them, hitting one on the head, another in the legs, and another in the wing, before they got out of range. As they made all haste away they met some cranes, who asked them what the matter was. “Matter?” said one of the Rooks; “it’s those rascals, men, that are the matter. Don’t you go near them. They have a way of saying one thing and meaning another which has just been the death of several of our poor friends.”
Moral
Moral of the story: Be careful of the words you choose, for they can have unintended consequences.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.116. 雅典人和底比斯人#
一个雅典人和一个底比斯人一同走在路上，就像其他旅行者一样，他们用聊天来打发时间。聊了一些其他话题之后，他们开始谈起英雄，虽然没有什么教育意义，但这可是一个颇有谈资的内容。一提到赞美各自城市里的英雄，两个人都侃侃而谈。后来，底比斯人断言，赫拉克勒斯是地球上曾经存在过的最伟大的英雄，现在占据了众神之中的首要位置。而雅典人则坚持认为，提修斯远远超过了赫拉克勒斯，因为他的命运在各方面都得到了充分的眷顾，而赫拉克勒斯曾一度被迫充当奴隶。他达到了自己的目的，因为他像所有雅典人一样，是一个非常圆滑的家伙。而底比斯人在谈话中根本不是他的对手，最后有些反感地大吼道：“好吧，随便你。我只希望，当我们的英雄对我们生气时，雅典人会从赫拉克勒斯的愤怒中遭殃，而底比斯人则从提修斯的愤怒中受苦。”
寓意
这篇文章所表达的寓意是：不管人们从哪个城市来，我们都有一个相同的事情，就是对英雄的尊重和崇拜。尽管我们所崇拜的英雄有所不同，但我们有义务和责任向这些英雄表达安宁。
👇 听寓言故事
THE ATHENIAN AND THE THEBAN
An Athenian and a Theban were on the road together, and passed the time in conversation, as is the way of travellers. After discussing a variety of subjects they began to talk about heroes, a topic that tends to be more fertile than edifying. Each of them was lavish in his praises of the heroes of his own city, until eventually the Theban asserted that Hercules was the greatest hero who had ever lived on earth, and now occupied a foremost place among the gods; while the Athenian insisted that Theseus was far superior, for his fortune had been in every way supremely blessed, whereas Hercules had at one time been forced to act as a servant. And he gained his point, for he was a very glib fellow, like all Athenians; so that the Theban, who was no match for him in talking, cried at last in some disgust, “All right, have your way; I only hope that, when our heroes are angry with us, Athens may suffer from the anger of Hercules, and Thebes only from that of Theseus.”
Moral
The moral of this story is to recognize the strengths of those around you, and to refrain from boasting and disparaging others to prove your point.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.117. 狮子、朱庇特和大象#
狮子有着健壮魁梧的体魄、锐利的牙齿和四爪，然而有一件事却让他成了懦夫。他受不了公鸡的啼鸣声。只要一听到这个声音，狮子立刻就会逃跑。他痛苦地向朱庇特哭诉，为何把自己造成这样，可朱庇特却说这不是自己的错，他已经尽可能地把优点都给了狮子，这不过是唯一的缺点，狮子应该知足了。然而，狮子仍然觉着不舒服，为自己的胆小和懦弱羞愧得无地自容。正在这时候，他遇见了大象，便和大象聊起来。他看见这头巨兽总是不停地扇动着耳朵，好像在倾听什么，于是便问为什么总这样。恰好，有一只小飞虫在大象耳边嗡嗡地叫，大象回答说：”你看见这些嗡嗡叫的虫子了吗？我很担心他们钻进我的耳朵里，一旦让他们飞进去，我就完蛋了。”一听到这话，狮子立刻打起了精神，自言自语地说：“如果像大象那么大的动物都害怕一只小虫子，我也不必为自己害怕公鸡而羞愧了，公鸡可比虫子大得多了。”
THE LION, JUPITER, AND THE ELEPHANT
The Lion, for all his size and strength, and his sharp teeth and claws, is a coward in one thing: he can’t bear the sound of a cock crowing, and runs away whenever he hears it. He complained bitterly to Jupiter for making him like that; but Jupiter said it wasn’t his fault: he had done the best he could for him, and, considering this was his only failing, he ought to be well content. The Lion, however, wouldn’t be comforted, and was so ashamed of his timidity that he wished he might die. In this state of mind, he met the Elephant and had a talk with him. He noticed that the great beast cocked up his ears all the time, as if he were listening for something, and he asked him why he did so. Just then a gnat came humming by, and the Elephant said, “Do you see that wretched little buzzing insect? I’m terribly afraid of its getting into my ear: if it once gets in, I’m dead and done for.” The Lion’s spirits rose at once when he heard this: “For,” he said to himself, “if the Elephant, huge as he is, is afraid of a gnat, I needn’t be so much ashamed of being afraid of a cock, who is ten thousand times bigger than a gnat.”
Moral
Moral of the story: Don’t let pride stand in the way of acknowledging our weaknesses and fears, as we can learn valuable lessons from the experiences of others.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.118. 猪和绵羊#
有一头猪跑进正在牧场里吃草的羊群中，牧羊人抓住了他，要把他送到屠夫那里，猪鬼哭狼嚎般拼命挣扎着想逃出来。羊群指责他大惊小怪，对猪说：”我们经常被牧羊人抓住，就像刚才那样被拖走，可从来不这样叫喊。”猪回答说：“我和你们绝对不一样，他抓你是为了你的毛，抓我却是为了吃我的肉呀。”
THE PIG AND THE SHEEP
A Pig found his way into a meadow where a flock of Sheep were grazing. The shepherd caught him, and was proceeding to carry him off to the butcher’s when he set up a loud squealing and struggled to get free. The Sheep rebuked him for making such a to-do, and said to him, “The shepherd catches us regularly and drags us off just like that, and we don’t make any fuss.” “No, I dare say not,” replied the Pig, “but my case and yours are altogether different: he only wants you for wool, but he wants me for bacon.”
Moral
Be aware of how your situation differs from others and don’t compare yourself to those in different circumstances.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.119. 河流和大海#
从前，所有河流都联合起来抵抗大海的行为，不想让水变咸了。”当我们流向你时，”河流对大海说，”我们本是甘甜可口的，可一旦与你混合，我们就变得跟你们一样，又咸又涩，一点儿都不好喝了。”大海只是简单地回答道：“离我远一点，你们就会一直甘甜可口了。”
THE RIVERS AND THE SEA
Once upon a time all the Rivers combined to protest against the action of the Sea in making their waters salt. “When we come to you,” said they to the Sea, “we are sweet and drinkable: but when once we have mingled with you, our waters become as briny and unpalatable as your own.” The Sea replied shortly, “Keep away from me and you’ll remain sweet.”
Moral
The moral of this story is to stay away from negative influences in order to remain true to oneself.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.120. 恋爱的狮子#
一只狮子深深爱上了农夫的女儿，想娶她为妻。可是，农夫却不忍心让女儿嫁给一个这么可怕的丈夫，但又不想激怒狮子。于是他急中生智，想出一个权宜之计。他去找狮子，并说：”我认为你是一个非常出色的丈夫人选，但是我不能同意你们结合，除非先拔掉你的牙齿、剪掉你的指甲，因为我的女儿害怕这些东西。”狮子被爱冲昏了头，毫不犹豫地接受了农夫的要求。然而，狮子刚被缴械，农夫就不再惧怕狮子了，反而用棍棒赶走了狮子。
THE LION IN LOVE
A Lion fell deeply in love with the daughter of a cottager and wanted to marry her; but her father was unwilling to give her to so fearsome a husband, and yet didn’t want to offend the Lion; so he hit upon the following expedient. He went to the Lion and said, “I think you will make a very good husband for my daughter: but I cannot consent to your union unless you let me draw your teeth and pare your nails, for my daughter is terribly afraid of them.” The Lion was so much in love that he readily agreed that this should be done. When once, however, he was thus disarmed, the Cottager was afraid of him no longer, but drove him away with his club.
Moral
Moral: Beware of sacrificing your power for the sake of love, for you may be taken advantage of.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.121. 养蜂人#
趁养蜂人不在家时，一个小偷溜进蜂房，偷走了所有的蜂蜜。养蜂人回来后发现蜂箱空了，伤心难过之余，他站在那里盯着看了很长时间。不久，蜜蜂采完花蜜回来，发现自己的蜂巢空了，而养蜂人又站在一边，便都围住他用尾针刺。养蜂人被群蜂围住，痛苦地大喊：“你们这些不知感恩的坏家伙！让那偷蜜的贼逃之夭夭，却一个劲地来刺一直在照顾你们的人！”
THE BEE-KEEPER
A Thief found his way into an apiary when the Bee-keeper was away, and stole all the honey. When the Keeper returned and found the hives empty, he was very much upset and stood staring at them for some time. Before long the bees came back from gathering honey, and, finding their hives overturned and the Keeper standing by, they made for him with their stings. At this he fell into a passion and cried, “You ungrateful scoundrels, you let the thief who stole my honey get off scot-free, and then you go and sting me who have always taken such care of you!”
Moral
When you hit back make sure you have got the right man.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.122. 蝙蝠、荆棘和海鸥#
一只蝙蝠、一棵荆棘与一只海鸥，决定合伙出海做一次生意。于是，蝙蝠借了一笔钱作为资金，荆棘带来了一包款式不同的衣服，而海鸥带来了一些铅，然后，他们起航出发了。不久，一场暴风雨袭来，他们的船和所有货物都沉没了。幸运的是，三个航行者设法回到了岸上。从此以后，海鸥总是在海面上飞来飞去，即便偶尔钻入水中，也是在寻找丢失的铅；蝙蝠则害怕见到债主，所以总是白天藏着，夜里才出来觅食；而荆棘总爱扯住过路人的衣服，希望有一天能找到丢失的衣服以弥补损失。
THE BAT, THE BRAMBLE, AND THE SEAGULL
A Bat, a Bramble, and a Seagull went into partnership and determined to go on a trading voyage together. The Bat borrowed a sum of money for his venture; the Bramble laid in a stock of clothes of various kinds; and the Seagull took a quantity of lead: and so they set out. By and by a great storm came on, and their boat with all the cargo went to the bottom, but the three travellers managed to reach land. Ever since then the Seagull flies to and fro over the sea, and every now and then dives below the surface, looking for the lead he’s lost; while the Bat is so afraid of meeting his creditors that he hides away by day and only comes out at night to feed; and the Bramble catches hold of the clothes of every one who passes by, hoping some day to recognise and recover the lost garments.
Moral
All men are more concerned to recover what they lose than to acquire what they lack.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.123. 黄蜂和蛇#
一只黄蜂坐在一条蛇的头上，不仅多次用刺去叮蛇，而且还牢牢地贴在受害者的头上。蛇疼得快要发疯了，尝试了很多方法想要赶走这个黄蜂，可是都没有成功。最后，蛇绝望了，大喊道：”我要杀了你，即使丢掉我自己的性命也在所不惜。”于是，蛇将自己的头伸到一辆从旁经过的马车车轮下，他们同归于尽了。
THE WASP AND THE SNAKE
A Wasp settled on the head of a Snake, and not only stung him several times, but clung obstinately to the head of his victim. Maddened with pain the Snake tried every means he could think of to get rid of the creature, but without success. At last he became desperate, and crying, “Kill you I will, even at the cost of my own life,” he laid his head with the Wasp on it under the wheel of a passing waggon, and they both perished together.
Moral
The moral of this story is that revenge is not worth the cost, as it can lead to dire consequences.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.124. 老鹰和甲虫#
一只鹰正在奋力追一只兔子，而兔子则拼命奔跑，一筹莫展地不知该到哪里寻求帮助。这时，她恰巧看见一只甲虫，便向他求救。于是，当老鹰过来时，甲虫便警告她不要碰那只兔子。老鹰根本没有把小小的甲虫放在眼里，因为它实在太不起眼了，终于还是抓住兔子并吃了她。甲虫一直没有忘记这件事，经常关注着老鹰的巢，只要老鹰一下蛋，他便悄悄地爬上去，把老鹰蛋滚出巢来摔碎它。后来，老鹰十分担心再丢失自己的蛋，便跑到朱庇特（鹰的特别守护神）那里，请求给自己一个安全的地方生儿育女。于是，朱庇特让她在自己的膝上下蛋。然而，甲虫也注意到了此事，就做了一个和鹰蛋差不多大小的泥球，然后飞上去，把它扔到了朱庇特的膝盖上。朱庇特一看是泥球，马上站起身来抖擞自己的长袍，浑然忘记了膝上还有老鹰下的蛋，无意间把蛋也抖落了，老鹰的蛋像之前那样摔了个粉碎。据说，从那以后，在甲虫出现的时节，老鹰就再也不下蛋了。
THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE
An Eagle was chasing a hare, which was running for dear life and was at her wits’ end to know where to turn for help. Presently she espied a Beetle, and begged it to aid her. So when the Eagle came up the Beetle warned her not to touch the hare, which was under its protection. But the Eagle never noticed the Beetle because it was so small, seized the hare and ate her up. The Beetle never forgot this, and used to keep an eye on the Eagle’s nest, and whenever the Eagle laid an egg it climbed up and rolled it out of the nest and broke it. At last the Eagle got so worried over the loss of her eggs that she went up to Jupiter, who is the special protector of Eagles, and begged him to give her a safe place to nest in: so he let her lay her eggs in his lap. But the Beetle noticed this and made a ball of dirt the size of an Eagle’s egg, and flew up and deposited it in Jupiter’s lap. When Jupiter saw the dirt, he stood up to shake it out of his robe, and, forgetting about the eggs, he shook them out too, and they were broken just as before. Ever since then, they say, Eagles never lay their eggs at the season when Beetles are about.
Moral
The weak will sometimes find ways to avenge an insult, even upon the strong.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.125. 捕鸟人和百灵鸟#
一个捕鸟人正在撒网，好让小鸟们自投罗网。这时，一只百灵鸟走过来，问他在干什么。”我正在建造一座漂亮的城市。”捕鸟人回答道，说完就跑到远处藏起来。百灵鸟带着极大的好奇心，跑过去想看个究竟，她小心地冲着网中的诱饵跳过去，结果却被缠在网中。捕鸟人很快跑过来，抓住了她。百灵鸟说：“我可真是个傻瓜！但无论如何，如果这就是你建造的城市，那么估计要花很长时间才能找到足够多的傻瓜来填补空缺！”
THE FOWLER AND THE LARK
A Fowler was setting his nets for little birds when a Lark came up to him and asked him what he was doing. “I am engaged in founding a city,” said he, and with that he withdrew to a short distance and concealed himself. The Lark examined the nets with great curiosity, and presently, catching sight of the bait, hopped on to them in order to secure it, and became entangled in the meshes. The Fowler then ran up quickly and captured her. “What a fool I was!” said she: “but at any rate, if that’s the kind of city you are founding, it’ll be a long time before you find fools enough to fill it.”
Moral
Do not act impulsively or you may find yourself in a difficult situation that could have been avoided.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.126. 吹笛子的渔夫#
有一天，一个会吹长笛的渔夫带着笛子和渔网来到海边，他站在一块突出海面的岩石上，开始吹奏曲子，希望用笛声引诱鱼儿跳出海面。渔夫弹奏了一会儿，没有一条鱼出来。最后，他把长笛放到一边，撒网入海，却捞起满网的鱼。当渔夫把网拖上岸后，看见鱼儿在岸边不停地跳跃，他便说：“你们这些淘气鬼！我吹笛子时，你们不肯跳；现在我不吹了，你们却在这里欢蹦乱跳！”
THE FISHERMAN PIPING
A Fisherman who could play the flute went down one day to the sea-shore with his nets and his flute; and, taking his stand on a projecting rock, began to play a tune, thinking that the music would bring the fish jumping out of the sea. He went on playing for some time, but not a fish appeared: so at last he threw down his flute and cast his net into the sea, and made a great haul of fish. When they were landed and he saw them leaping about on the shore, he cried, “You rascals! you wouldn’t dance when I piped: but now I’ve stopped, you can do nothing else!”
Moral
The moral of this story is that you can’t force people to do what you want, and success often comes when least expected.
👇 Listen to this fable
11.127. 狄马德斯和他的寓言#
有一次，演说家狄马德斯在雅典的一次集会上演讲，但是没有一个人认真听，他便停下来，说：”先生们，我很想告诉你们一个伊索寓言里的故事。”这话受到了人们的重视。接着，他开始说：”有一次，得墨忒耳（掌管农业、结婚、丰饶的女神）和一只燕子、一条鳗鱼一同出行，他们要穿过一条没有桥的河，燕子飞过去了，鳗鱼游过去了。”讲到这里，他便停下来，不再讲了。听众中有几个人问他：”那么得墨忒耳怎么过去的呢？”他回答说：“得墨忒耳正在生你们的气呢，因为你们对公共事务毫无兴趣，一心只喜欢听伊索寓言。”
DEMADES AND HIS FABLE
Demades the orator was once speaking in the Assembly at Athens; but the people were very inattentive to what he was saying, so he stopped and said, “Gentlemen, I should like to tell you one of Aesop’s fables.” This made every one listen intently. Then Demades began: “Demeter, a Swallow, and an Eel were once travelling together, and came to a river without a bridge: the Swallow flew over it, and the Eel swam across”; and then he stopped. “What happened to Demeter?” cried several people in the audience. “Demeter,” he replied, “is very angry with you for listening to fables when you ought to be minding public business.”
Moral
The moral of the story is to take care of your responsibilities and stay focused on what matters.
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11.128. 乌鸦和蛇#
一只饥饿的乌鸦暗中发现一条蛇正在温暖的阳光下熟睡，便猛扑过去用爪子抓住了蛇，带着他飞到一个可以安然享受美食而不受打扰的地方，这时，惊醒的蛇回过头来，咬了乌鸦一大口。这是一条毒蛇，挨咬的乌鸦受到了致命袭击。将死时，乌鸦说：“我的命运多么不幸呀！我以为自己找到了美食，可是却因此而丢掉了性命。”
THE CROW AND THE SNAKE
A hungry Crow spied a Snake lying asleep in a sunny spot, and, picking it up in his claws, he was carrying it off to a place where he could make a meal of it without being disturbed, when the Snake reared its head and bit him. It was a poisonous Snake, and the bite was fatal, and the dying Crow said, “What a cruel fate is mine! I thought I had made a lucky find, and it has cost me my life!”
Moral
The moral of this story is that hasty decisions can lead to dire consequences.
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11.129. 夜莺和老鹰#
夜莺坐在一棵橡树的树枝上，像往常一样在歌唱。一只饥饿的老鹰看见她后，便猛飞过去用鹰爪抓住了她。就在老鹰将要撕碎夜莺时，她恳求老鹰饶命：”我的个头太小了，不能让你饱餐一顿，你应当去抓那些个头更大的鸟。”老鹰不屑一顾地看着她，说：“如果你认为我会放弃手中现成的食物，而去追求目前看不见影的东西，那可真是太小看我了。”
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE HAWK
A Nightingale was sitting on a bough of an oak and singing, as her custom was. A hungry Hawk presently spied her, and darting to the spot seized her in his talons. He was just about to tear her in pieces when she begged him to spare her life: “I’m not big enough,” she pleaded, “to make you a good meal: you ought to seek your prey among the bigger birds.” The Hawk eyed her with some contempt. “You must think me very simple,” said he, “if you suppose I am going to give up a certain prize on the chance of a better of which I see at present no signs.”
Moral
Do not rely on future promises or potential rewards, as nothing is certain in life. Take advantage of the opportunities you are presented with, rather than trusting that something better will come along.
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11.130. 玫瑰花和苋菜#
玫瑰花和苋菜在花园里并排而立，苋菜对自己的邻居——玫瑰花说：”我真羡慕你，有着漂亮的颜色和芬芳的香味！毫无疑问，你是世上最美丽的花朵！”玫瑰花却回答说：“亲爱的朋友，我只开一季而已。我的花瓣很快就会枯萎凋谢，然后我就死去了。而你的花却永不褪色，即使被割断了，它们依然能够常绿、不褪色。”
THE ROSE AND THE AMARANTH
A Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden, and the Amaranth said to her neighbour, “How I envy you, your beauty and your sweet scent! No wonder you are such a universal favourite.” But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice, “Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time: my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die. But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut; for they are everlasting.”
Moral
Moral: Appreciate the beauty that will not last, but also be mindful of the lasting beauty that will stay with you through times of change.
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11.131. 天 鹅#
据说，天鹅一生只唱一次歌，只有在他死期临近时才唱。一个曾经听过天鹅那优美歌声的人，偶然在市场上看到几只天鹅正待出售，便买了一只带回家。几天后，他邀请了几个朋友来吃饭，并介绍了自己的天鹅，让他唱首歌来助兴。可是，天鹅却始终保持沉默。后来，终于有一天，天鹅慢慢老了，他知道自己死期将至，便展开歌喉，唱出了一曲甜美哀婉的歌。主人听到后，生气地说：“如果你真是在临死前才肯唱歌，那我多么愚蠢呀！我真应该在那天就拧断你的脖子，而不仅仅是让你唱歌了。”
THE SWAN
The Swan is said to sing but once in its life—when it knows that it is about to die. A certain man, who had heard of the song of the Swan, one day saw one of these birds for sale in the market, and bought it and took it home with him. A few days later he had some friends to dinner, and produced the Swan, and bade it sing for their entertainment: but the Swan remained silent. In course of time, when it was growing old, it became aware of its approaching end and broke into a sweet, sad song. When its owner heard it, he said angrily, “If the creature only sings when it is about to die, what a fool I was that day I wanted to hear its song! I ought to have wrung its neck instead of merely inviting it to sing.”
Moral
Moral of the story: Appreciate life and the people around you while they are still alive - don’t wait for them to be gone to show your gratitude and love.
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11.132. 蛇和朱庇特#
一条蛇因为人类和其他野兽的践踏常常生活在水深火热之中，部分原因是他的身体过长，另一部分原因是他无法离开地面。于是，他便跑去向朱庇特抱怨自己所暴露出的危险。可是，朱庇特却不怎么同情他。朱庇特说：“如果你咬了第一个践踏你的人，其他人就不再敢冒险这样做了。”
THE SNAKE AND JUPITER
A Snake suffered a good deal from being constantly trodden upon by man and beast, owing partly to the length of his body and partly to his being unable to raise himself above the surface of the ground: so he went and complained to Jupiter about the risks to which he was exposed. But Jupiter had little sympathy for him. “I dare say,” said he, “that if you had bitten the first that trod on you, the others would have taken more trouble to look where they put their feet.”
Moral
The moral of the story is that standing up for yourself will always be more effective than seeking help from others.
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11.133. 墨丘利和被蚂蚁所咬的人#
一个人在海边看见一艘船遇难，船上的人全都被淹死了，他便愤愤不平地抱怨上帝。”唉，上帝都不考虑一个人的品格，”他说，”竟然让好人和坏人一起死了。”这个人当时正站在一个蚂蚁窝旁，当他说这番话时，被爬到脚上的一只蚂蚁咬了一口。他立刻冲着身旁的蚂蚁窝撒起火来，碾死了许多并没有伤害他的蚂蚁。这时，墨丘利出现了，用棍棒痛打了他一顿，而且还重复着那人刚才所说的话：“你这个恶棍，现在你的正义感又去哪里了呢？”
MERCURY AND THE MAN BITTEN BY AN ANT
A Man once saw a ship go down with all its crew, and commented severely on the injustice of the gods. “They care nothing for a man’s character,” said he, “but let the good and the bad go to their deaths together.” There was an ant-heap close by where he was standing, and, just as he spoke, he was bitten in the foot by an Ant. Turning in a temper to the ant-heap he stamped upon it and crushed hundreds of unoffending ants. Suddenly Mercury appeared, and belaboured him with his staff, saying as he did so, “You villain, where’s your nice sense of justice now?”
Moral
The moral of this story is that one should practice what they preach and exercise justice in all their actions, or they may end up facing the consequences.
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11.134. 狡猾的狮子#
一只狮子看见一头肥壮的公牛正在吃草，一想到这是一顿美味佳肴，口水禁不住就流了出来，可是他又畏惧公牛的尖角，不敢轻易发起进攻。然而，饥饿促使他一定要做点什么。单凭武力，他肯定无法成功，于是狮子决定用诡计智取。他带着友好的姿态走到公牛身旁，对公牛说：”简直无法用语言来表达我对您那魔鬼般的身材有多羡慕，这是多么漂亮的头呀，多么宽阔结实的肩膀和大腿呀！不过，亲爱的朋友，究竟是什么让你戴着这两只奇丑无比的角呢？你一定也发现了，它们又笨拙又丑陋。相信我，若是没有了这两只角，你肯定会更好。”公牛也够蠢的，竟然被这番恭维所说服，把自己的两只角折断了，刚刚失去用以防卫的武器，公牛就轻易地被狮子虏获了。
THE WILY LION
A Lion watched a fat Bull feeding in a meadow, and his mouth watered when he thought of the royal feast he would make, but he did not dare to attack him, for he was afraid of his sharp horns. Hunger, however, presently compelled him to do something: and as the use of force did not promise success, he determined to resort to artifice. Going up to the Bull in friendly fashion, he said to him, “I cannot help saying how much I admire your magnificent figure. What a fine head! What powerful shoulders and thighs! But, my dear friend, what in the world makes you wear those ugly horns? You must find them as awkward as they are unsightly. Believe me, you would do much better without them.” The Bull was foolish enough to be persuaded by this flattery to have his horns cut off; and, having now lost his only means of defence, fell an easy prey to the Lion.
Moral
The moral of this story is: Do not be deceived by flattery and empty promises; use caution when engaging with others, as they may have hidden motives.
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11.135. 雄鹿和狮子#
有只鹿受到了猎犬的追捕，拼命地逃进一个洞里寻求庇护。他希望这是一个安全的地方，可以躲避猎犬。不幸的是，这个洞里有一只狮子，轻易地就抓获了鹿。鹿临死之前说：“我真是倒霉，刚脱离了猎犬的追捕，马上又掉进了狮子的大口。”
THE STAG AND THE LION
A Stag was chased by the hounds, and took refuge in a cave, where he hoped to be safe from his pursuers. Unfortunately the cave contained a Lion, to whom he fell an easy prey. “Unhappy that I am,” he cried, “I am saved from the power of the dogs only to fall into the clutches of a Lion.”
11.136. 说谎的人#
有个人生了病，状况非常严重，他向众神发誓，如果能恢复健康，他一定会供奉一百头牛给众神。众神想要看看他是否能遵守诺言，很快便让他痊愈了。他其实根本没有一百头牛，于是就用酥油做成了一百头小牛，放到供台上供奉给众神，同时嘴里还说着：”众神灵，我请你们来见证，我已经还清了自己许下的愿。”众神决定要报复他，便带他进入了一个梦境。在梦里，他被命令到海边去，在那里他将找到一百个银元。他带着激动的心情赶忙跑到海边，可是却遇上了一群强盗，强盗抓住他并将他卖了去当奴隶，而卖他所得的钱正好是一百个银元，也就是他要取的总数目。
THE IMPOSTOR
A certain man fell ill, and, being in a very bad way, he made a vow that he would sacrifice a hundred oxen to the gods if they would grant him a return to health. Wishing to see how he would keep his vow, they caused him to recover in a short time. Now, he hadn’t an ox in the world, so he made a hundred little oxen out of tallow and offered them up on an altar, at the same time saying, “Ye gods, I call you to witness that I have discharged my vow.” The gods determined to be even with him, so they sent him a dream, in which he was bidden to go to the sea-shore and fetch a hundred crowns which he was to find there. Hastening in great excitement to the shore, he fell in with a band of robbers, who seized him and carried him off to sell as a slave: and when they sold him a hundred crowns was the sum he fetched.
11.137. 蚊子和狮子#
有只蚊子飞到狮子那里，说：”我一点儿也不害怕你，我甚至都不承认你我力量相当。你的力量究竟有多大？你只会用爪子抓、用牙齿咬，就像一个发脾气的女人一样，除此之外，就没有什么了。可是，我却比你厉害得多。若是你不相信，不妨来比试比试。”蚊子嗡嗡地吹着小喇叭，猛冲上前，在狮子的鼻子上咬了一口。狮子感觉到被蚊子叮了一口，马上就用爪子去抓，结果却划伤了自己的鼻子，流了好多血。狮子最终没能伤害到蚊子。于是，蚊子又嗡嗡叫着，兴高采烈地凯旋而归。然而，他很快就陷入了蜘蛛的网中，被一只蜘蛛抓住吃了，在战胜了百兽之王后，却被一只不起眼的蜘蛛消灭了。
THE GNAT AND THE LION
A Gnat once went up to a Lion and said, “I am not in the least afraid of you: I don’t even allow that you are a match for me in strength. What does your strength amount to after all? That you can scratch with your claws and bite with your teeth—just like a woman in a temper— and nothing more. But I’m stronger than you: if you don’t believe it, let us fight and see.” So saying, the Gnat sounded his horn, and darted in and bit the Lion on the nose. When the Lion felt the sting, in his haste to crush him he scratched his nose badly, and made it bleed, but failed altogether to hurt the Gnat, which buzzed off in triumph, elated by its victory. Presently, however, it got entangled in a spider’s web, and was caught and eaten by the spider, thus falling a prey to an insignificant insect after having triumphed over the King of the Beasts.
Moral
The moral of this story is that pride comes before a fall. Even the most powerful can be brought down by the most insignificant.
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11.138. 屠夫和他的顾客#
两个人正在市场里屠户的摊位上买肉，屠夫刚一转身背向他们，其中一人便抓起一块腱子肉，迅速放进另一人的斗篷里，谁也没看到他的举动。待屠夫转过身来，立刻注意到少了一块肉，便指控他们偷了肉。但是，拿了肉的那个人说自己没有偷，而得到肉的那个人也说自己没有拿。屠夫确信他们是在欺骗自己，但仅仅说了一句话：“你可以用谎言来欺骗我，但却骗不了神，他们不会这么轻易放过你的。”
THE BUTCHER AND HIS CUSTOMERS
Two Men were buying meat at a Butcher’s stall in the market-place, and, while the Butcher’s back was turned for a moment, one of them snatched up a joint and hastily thrust it under the other’s cloak, where it could not be seen. When the Butcher turned round, he missed the meat at once, and charged them with having stolen it: but the one who had taken it said he hadn’t got it, and the one who had got it said he hadn’t taken it. The Butcher felt sure they were deceiving him, but he only said, “You may cheat me with your lying, but you can’t cheat the gods, and they won’t let you off so lightly.”
11.139. 赫拉克勒斯和密涅瓦#
赫拉克勒斯有一次经过一条狭窄的路时，见到前面的地上有一个类似苹果的东西，走到那里时，他便用脚去踩它。让他惊讶的是，那个东西不但没有碎，反而成倍增大了。他又去踩了一下，而且还用大木棒去打它。结果，那个东西迅速膨胀起来，堵住了整条路。他扔下木棒，不知所措地站在那里盯着看。这时，密涅瓦出现了，对他说：“朋友，随他去吧，你眼前看到的正是那个祸根。如果你不去理它，它就会依然小如苹果一样待在原地，可是，如果你采用暴力与之抗衡，它就会变成你看到的这个样子了。”
HERCULES AND MINERVA
Hercules was once travelling along a narrow road when he saw lying on the ground in front of him what appeared to be an apple, and as he passed he stamped upon it with his heel. To his astonishment, instead of being crushed it doubled in size; and, on his attacking it again and smiting it with his club, it swelled up to an enormous size and blocked up the whole road. Upon this he dropped his club, and stood looking at it in amazement. Just then Minerva appeared, and said to him, “Leave it alone, my friend; that which you see before you is the apple of discord: if you do not meddle with it, it remains small as it was at first, but if you resort to violence it swells into the thing you see.”
Moral
Moral: Don’t resort to violence - it never yields anything positive.
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11.140. 江湖郎中#
从前，有一个人生病了，且卧床不起。他咨询了很多医生，除了一个医生之外，其他人都说这病没有什么危险，但却需要持续一段时间。那个持相反意见的医生，也是他最后咨询的一个医生，命令他做最坏的打算。”你已经活不过明天了，”那人说，”恐怕我也帮不上什么忙。”然而，事实证明那个医生的确是错了。过了些日子，尽管病人的脸色依然苍白，可他能够下床走动了。在路上，他又遇见了那个宣判他死期将至的医生。医生问他：“你好，感觉如何？不用问，你从另一个世界回来了。拜托，那些死去的朋友怎么样？””非常舒服，”病人回答说，“因为他们喝了忘情水，忘掉了生命中的所有烦恼。顺便一提，就在我离开前，死神正准备控诉所有医生，因为他们没让病人自然死亡，而是利用各种方式来挽救其生命。原本你也在其中，但是我恳求他们放了你，因为你不是一个真正的医生，而仅仅是个江湖郎中。”
THE QUACK DOCTOR
A certain man fell sick and took to his bed. He consulted a number of doctors from time to time, and they all, with one exception, told him that his life was in no immediate danger, but that his illness would probably last a considerable time. The one who took a different view of his case, who was also the last to be consulted, bade him prepare for the worst: “You have not twenty-four hours to live,” said he, “and I fear I can do nothing.” As it turned out, however, he was quite wrong; for at the end of a few days the sick man quitted his bed and took a walk abroad, looking, it is true, as pale as a ghost. In the course of his walk he met the Doctor who had prophesied his death. “Dear me,” said the latter, “how do you do? You are fresh from the other world, no doubt. Pray, how are our departed friends getting on there?” “Most comfortably,” replied the other, “for they have drunk the water of oblivion, and have forgotten all the troubles of life. By the way, just before I left, the authorities were making arrangements to prosecute all the doctors, because they won’t let sick men die in the course of nature, but use their arts to keep them alive. They were going to charge you along with the rest, till I assured them that you were no doctor, but a mere impostor.”
Moral
Moral of the story: When in doubt, trust your own judgement instead of relying on the advice of others. Do not be tempted to believe the most pessimistic predictions, as they often turn out to be inaccurate.
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11.141. 赫拉克勒斯和财神#
赫拉克勒斯被众神接纳为神以后，朱庇特为他设宴庆贺。宴会上，赫拉克勒斯热情友好地向众神们一一问好，唯独财神普路托斯除外。当财神向他走去时，他却低下头盯着地面看，然后转身走开了，假装没有看到他。朱庇特看到他的举动十分惊讶，便问他为什么与其他神都能高兴地打招呼，唯独对财神普路托斯却另眼相看。赫拉克勒斯回答说：“陛下，我不喜欢财神普路托斯，我会告诉您原因的。当我们俩都在人间时，总见到他与坏人在一起。”
HERCULES AND PLUTUS
When Hercules was received among the gods and was entertained at a banquet by Jupiter, he responded courteously to the greetings of all with the exception of Plutus, the god of wealth. When Plutus approached him, he cast his eyes upon the ground, and turned away and pretended not to see him. Jupiter was surprised at this conduct on his part, and asked why, after having been so cordial with all the other gods, he had behaved like that to Plutus. “Sire,” said Hercules, “I do not like Plutus, and I will tell you why. When we were on earth together I always noticed that he was to be found in the company of scoundrels.”
Moral
Moral of the story: It is important to keep good company and avoid associating with those of questionable character.
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11.142. 乌鸦与渡鸦#
一只乌鸦非常妒忌渡鸦，因为渡鸦被人类当做一种能预测未来的神鸟，故而得到了人类的尊敬。乌鸦十分羡慕，也想得到同样的声望。有一天，看见几个行人路过，她便飞到路边的一棵树上，用力地大声叫了起来。听到乌鸦的声音，行人都很郁闷，他们担心这是一个不好的预兆。其中一个人看到了乌鸦，就对同伴说：“没事了，朋友们，我们可以不用担心了，因为这是一只乌鸦，没什么特别的。”
THE CROW AND THE RAVEN
A Crow became very jealous of a Raven, because the latter was regarded by men as a bird of omen which foretold the future, and was accordingly held in great respect by them. She was very anxious to get the same sort of reputation herself; and, one day, seeing some travellers approaching, she flew on to a branch of a tree at the roadside and cawed as loud as she could. The travellers were in some dismay at the sound, for they feared it might be a bad omen; till one of them, spying the Crow, said to his companions, “It’s all right, my friends, we can go on without fear, for it’s only a crow and that means nothing.”
Moral
Those who pretend to be something they are not only make themselves ridiculous.
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11.143. 女巫#
有个女巫声称自己能用某种方式使神灵息怒，只有她才拥有这个秘诀。她四处招摇撞骗，因此得到了不少酬金。但是，后来有人控告她乱用巫术，便将她送上了法庭，并要求将她处死，因为她与魔鬼打交道。后来，她被定了罪，并判处了死刑。在离开被告席时，其中一个法官对她说：“你自称能平息神灵的愤怒，那么，现在为何连凡人的愤怒也平息不了呢？”
THE WITCH
A Witch professed to be able to avert the anger of the gods by means of charms, of which she alone possessed the secret; and she drove a brisk trade, and made a fat livelihood out of it. But certain persons accused her of black magic and carried her before the judges, and demanded that she should be put to death for dealings with the Devil. She was found guilty and condemned to death: and one of the judges said to her as she was leaving the dock, “You say you can avert the anger of the gods. How comes it, then, that you have failed to disarm the enmity of men?”
Moral
The moral of this story is that it is better to strive to win the respect and good will of your fellow man than to rely on superstition and imagined power.
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11.144. 老人与死神#
有一个老人在森林里砍了一些柴，准备运回家。他十分吃力地挑着走了很远的路，还没走到一半，就已经累得走不动了。他便将担子放在地上，要求死神快点来，让他尽快摆脱这个痛苦的生命。更令他沮丧的是，还没等话说出口，死神便站在他面前，声称已经准备好为他服务了。老人几乎吓呆了，但却保持着沉着镇定，结结巴巴地说：“好人呀，你行行好，帮忙把那担子再放到我肩上吧。”
THE OLD MAN AND DEATH
An Old Man cut himself a bundle of faggots in a wood and started to carry them home. He had a long way to go, and was tired out before he had got much more than half-way. Casting his burden on the ground, he called upon Death to come and release him from his life of toil. The words were scarcely out of his mouth when, much to his dismay, Death stood before him and professed his readiness to serve him. He was almost frightened out of his wits, but he had enough presence of mind to stammer out, “Good sir, if you’d be so kind, pray help me up with my burden again.”
Moral
Always be careful what you wish for, as you may get more than you bargained for.
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11.145. 吝啬鬼#
有一个守财奴变卖了所有家产，并将所有金器全部熔成了一个大金块，秘密埋在一个地方。他每天都会走过去看看，有时还会花很长时间得意洋洋地欣赏自己的宝藏。一个仆人注意到他经常去那个地方，便在某一天监视着他，发现了他的秘密。那人在一个夜晚伺机挖出了金块，并偷走了。第二天，当守财奴又像往常一样到那里来看宝贝时，发现自己的宝藏不翼而飞了，便捶胸顿足地痛哭起来。一个邻居见他如此悲痛，便问他遇上了什么麻烦。守财奴告诉他自己的不幸，可是，邻居却说：“朋友，别太放在心上了，找一块石头放进洞里，然后每天都来看看它，只要你心里想着那是块金子，就不会再如此难过了。因为即使那是一块真的金子，对你来说也没什么用呀。”
THE MISER
A Miser sold everything he had, and melted down his hoard of gold into a single lump, which he buried secretly in a field. Every day he went to look at it, and would sometimes spend long hours gloating over his treasure. One of his men noticed his frequent visits to the spot, and one day watched him and discovered his secret. Waiting his opportunity, he went one night and dug up the gold and stole it. Next day the Miser visited the place as usual, and, finding his treasure gone, fell to tearing his hair and groaning over his loss. In this condition he was seen by one of his neighbours, who asked him what his trouble was. The Miser told him of his misfortune; but the other replied, “Don’t take it so much to heart, my friend; put a brick into the hole, and take a look at it every day: you won’t be any worse off than before, for even when you had your gold it was of no earthly use to you.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that it is better to enjoy the little things in life than to hoard material possessions, as they will eventually be taken away.
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11.146. 马和雄鹿#
从前，有一匹马曾经独自占有一片草场。有一天，一只雄鹿闯入了他的领地，说自己也像马一样有权利分享这里的草，不仅如此，还为自己选了一个最好的地方吃草。马一心想报复这只不请自来的鹿，便来到人那里询问是否能帮助自己惩罚鹿。人回答说：”是的，我可以尽力帮你，不过，除非你愿意让我把一根勒马的缰绳放在你嘴里，并且骑在你的背上，我才能这么做。”马同意了人的要求，于是这两个合作者很快就把鹿赶出了草场。然而，一切结束后，马才发现自己永远成了人的奴隶。
THE HORSE AND THE STAG
There was once a Horse who used to graze in a meadow which he had all to himself. But one day a Stag came into the meadow, and said he had as good a right to feed there as the Horse, and moreover chose all the best places for himself. The Horse, wishing to be revenged upon his unwelcome visitor, went to a man and asked if he would help him to turn out the Stag. “Yes,” said the man, “I will by all means; but I can only do so if you let me put a bridle in your mouth and mount on your back.” The Horse agreed to this, and the two together very soon turned the Stag out of the pasture: but when that was done, the Horse found to his dismay that in the man he had got a master for good.
Moral
Moral of the story: Be careful what you wish for, as it may end up leading to an undesirable result.
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11.147. 丢了铁锹的人#
一个人在他的葡萄园里掘土，有一天，要开始工作时发现铁锹没了。他以为可能是被某个工人偷走了，就过去质问他们，但工人们一个个都否认偷了铁锹。尽管工人都否认了，可他依然不相信，一再坚持所有人都应该到城里的寺庙去发誓，自己没有犯盗窃罪。这是因为他对小镇上的神灵没有什么概念，以为小偷逃不过城里寺庙精明神灵的检测。他们刚走进大门，就听到了悬赏缉拿从寺庙偷东西的小偷。”好吧，”这人自言自语地说，“我最好还是赶快回家吧。如果这些庙里的神都无法找到盗窃寺庙东西的贼，他们也不太可能告诉我是谁偷了我的铁锹。”
THE MAN WHO LOST HIS SPADE
A Man was engaged in digging over his vineyard, and one day on coming to work he missed his Spade. Thinking it may have been stolen by one of his labourers, he questioned them closely, but they one and all denied any knowledge of it. He was not convinced by their denials, and insisted that they should all go to the town and take oath in a temple that they were not guilty of the theft. This was because he had no great opinion of the simple country deities, but thought that the thief would not pass undetected by the shrewder gods of the town. When they got inside the gates the first thing they heard was the town crier proclaiming a reward for information about a thief who had stolen something from the city temple. “Well,” said the Man to himself, “it strikes me I had better go back home again. If these town gods can’t detect the thieves who steal from their own temples, it’s scarcely likely they can tell me who stole my Spade.”
Moral
Moral of the story: Don’t put your faith in something that won’t bring results, or your efforts will be in vain.
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11.148. 鹧鸪和捕鸟人#
有个捕鸟的人在网里捉到一只鹧鸪，正要拧断他的脖子时，鹧鸪带着可怜的表情求他饶了自己的命，并说：”不要杀死我，让我活着吧，我会诱骗其他鹧鸪到你的网里来，以此来回报你对我的仁慈。”捕鸟人说：“不，我不能饶了你，无论如何都要杀了你。尤其是听了你这番背叛同类的宣言，你更应该去死了。”
THE PARTRIDGE AND THE FOWLER
A Fowler caught a Partridge in his nets, and was just about to wring its neck when it made a piteous appeal to him to spare its life and said, “Do not kill me, but let me live and I will repay you for your kindness by decoying other partridges into your nets.” “No,” said the Fowler, “I will not spare you. I was going to kill you anyhow, and after that treacherous speech you thoroughly deserve your fate.”
Moral
Moral: It is better to be honest in all situations, as lies and deceit will not be tolerated.
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11.149. 猎人和樵夫#
一个猎人正在森林里搜寻狮子的踪迹，不久，他看到一个樵夫正在砍树，于是便走上前问他有没有注意到狮子的足迹，或者是否知道狮子躲在了哪里。樵夫回答说：”要是你和我一起去，就能亲自看到狮子了。”猎人吓得脸色惨白，牙齿打着颤说道：“我只想搜寻它的踪迹，并不是在找狮子本身。”
THE HUNTER AND THE WOODMAN
A Hunter was searching in the forest for the tracks of a lion, and, catching sight presently of a Woodman engaged in felling a tree, he went up to him and asked him if he had noticed a lion’s footprints anywhere about, or if he knew where his den was. The Woodman answered, “If you will come with me, I will show you the lion himself.” The Hunter turned pale with fear, and his teeth chattered as he replied, “Oh, I’m not looking for the lion, thanks, but only for his tracks.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that it is better to be prepared than sorry, and it is wiser to look before you leap.
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11.150. 毒蛇和鹰#
一只老鹰朝着一条毒蛇俯冲下来，用鹰爪抓住了蛇，想要把他带走并吃掉。可是，毒蛇却迅速缠住了老鹰，接着展开了一场生死搏斗。一个农夫看到了整个过程，走过来帮老鹰解开了蛇的缠绕，让他重新获得了自由。为了报复农夫，蛇便将自己的毒液注进了农夫喝水的角杯里。忙活了半天的农夫正想去解解渴，便拿起角杯要喝水，这时，老鹰飞过来撞掉了他手中的角杯，杯子里的水全都洒在了地上。
THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE
An Eagle swooped down upon a Serpent and seized it in his talons with the intention of carrying it off and devouring it. But the Serpent was too quick for him and had its coils round him in a moment; and then there ensued a life-and-death struggle between the two. A countryman, who was a witness of the encounter, came to the assistance of the Eagle, and succeeded in freeing him from the Serpent and enabling him to escape. In revenge the Serpent spat some of his poison into the man’s drinking-horn. Heated with his exertions, the man was about to slake his thirst with a draught from the horn, when the Eagle knocked it out of his hand, and spilled its contents upon the ground.
11.151. 无赖和圣人#
一个狡猾的人下赌注，他能让德尔斐（希腊古都）的圣人用错误的回答来证明自己不值得信赖。于是，到了约定好的那一天，他来到了庙里，手里拿着一只小麻雀，并将它藏在外衣里面。他问圣人自己手中拿着的东西是活的还是死的。如果圣人说”是死的”，他便把活着的麻雀拿出来;如果圣人说”是活的”，他就捏死麻雀，然后再将死的拿出来。可是，圣人远比他更高明，说道：“陌生人，不管你手里的东西是死是活，完全取决于你自己的意愿！”
THE ROGUE AND THE ORACLE
A Rogue laid a wager that he would prove the Oracle at Delphi to be untrustworthy by procuring from it a false reply to an inquiry by himself. So he went to the temple on the appointed day with a small bird in his hand, which he concealed under the folds of his cloak, and asked whether what he held in his hand were alive or dead. If the Oracle said “dead,” he meant to produce the bird alive: if the reply was “alive,” he intended to wring its neck and show it to be dead. But the Oracle was one too many for him, for the answer he got was this: “Stranger, whether the thing that you hold in your hand be alive or dead is a matter that depends entirely on your own will.”
Moral
Moral: Just because one may have the power to manipulate a situation does not mean one should.
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11.152. 悲伤和他被指派的份额#
朱庇特正在给不同的神灵指派特权，恰巧悲伤没有到场。但是，当所有神灵都得到了指派的份额后，悲伤进来了，也声称想要他应得的份额。朱庇特有点不知所措，因为什么都没有留给他。然而，朱庇特最后决定，悲伤应该属于为亡人而流下的泪水。因此，悲伤与其他神灵一样，也得到了属于自己的份额。越发虔诚地回报给悲伤，悲伤就会越发大方地赋予你属于他的份额。所以，长久地为逝者而悲伤并不好。悲伤的唯一乐趣就在这样的哀悼中，否则，他会迅速为泪水寻找新的原因。
GRIEF AND HIS DUE
When Jupiter was assigning the various gods their privileges, it so happened that Grief was not present with the rest: but when all had received their share, he too entered and claimed his due. Jupiter was at a loss to know what to do, for there was nothing left for him. However, at last he decided that to him should belong the tears that are shed for the dead. Thus it is the same with Grief as it is with the other gods. The more devoutly men render to him his due, the more lavish is he of that which he has to bestow. It is not well, therefore, to mourn long for the departed; else Grief, whose sole pleasure is in such mourning, will be quick to send fresh cause for tears.
Moral
Moral of the story: Don’t indulge too much in grief and mourning for the departed, as doing so may just bring more sorrow.
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11.153. 女人和农夫#
有一个女人刚刚失去了丈夫，她每天都要到丈夫的坟上痛哭一场。有一个农夫在不远处耕地，一直观察着这个女人，想娶她为妻。于是，农夫放下自己的犁，来到她身边坐下，也痛哭起来。女人问他为什么哭，农夫回答说：”我的妻子最近也死了，她和我非常恩爱，也许眼泪能够减轻我的悲伤。”女人说：”我丈夫也是刚刚去世。”两人就这样默然哀伤了一阵子。接着，农夫说：”既然你我遭遇相同，我们为何不结为夫妻，在一起生活呢？我替代你死去的丈夫，而你则替代我死去的妻子。”这个想法听起来的确很有道理，那女人高兴地同意了。这时候，有一个贼偷走了农夫丢下的公牛。看到自己的牛被偷了，农夫不禁捶胸顿足地悲叹自己的损失。此刻，女人听见了他的哭声，走过来问道：”为什么，你还在哭吗？”农夫回答：“是的！这一次是真心的。”
THE WOMAN AND THE FARMER
A Woman, who had lately lost her husband, used to go every day to his grave and lament her loss. A Farmer, who was engaged in ploughing not far from the spot, set eyes upon the Woman and desired to have her for his wife: so he left his plough and came and sat by her side, and began to shed tears himself. She asked him why he wept; and he replied, “I have lately lost my wife, who was very dear to me, and tears ease my grief.” “And I,” said she, “have lost my husband.” And so for a while they mourned in silence. Then he said, “Since you and I are in like case, shall we not do well to marry and live together? I shall take the place of your dead husband, and you, that of my dead wife.” The Woman consented to the plan, which indeed seemed reasonable enough: and they dried their tears. Meanwhile, a thief had come and stolen the oxen which the Farmer had left with his plough. On discovering the theft, he beat his breast and loudly bewailed his loss. When the Woman heard his cries, she came and said, “Why, are you weeping still?” To which he replied, “Yes, and I mean it this time.”
Moral
Moral of the story: When considering a major life decision, make sure to think through the consequences that come with it.
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11.154. 普罗米修斯与造人#
遵照朱庇特的命令，普罗米修斯创造了人和其他动物。其中，只有人是理性的生灵，朱庇特看到不理性的动物数量远远超过了人，便命令他更改一下比例，把一部分动物变成人。普罗米修斯奉命行事。因此，正是这个原因，有些人虽然有着人的外形，内心却仍与动物一样。
PROMETHEUS AND THE MAKING OF MAN
At the bidding of Jupiter, Prometheus set about the creation of Man and the other animals. Jupiter, seeing that Mankind, the only rational creatures, were far outnumbered by the irrational beasts, bade him redress the balance by turning some of the latter into men. Prometheus did as he was bidden, and this is the reason why some people have the forms of men but the souls of beasts.
Moral
Moral of the story: It is important to recognize that despite outward appearances, all beings hold equal value and potential.
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11.155. 燕子和乌鸦#
有一次，燕子冲着乌鸦吹嘘自己的出生多么显赫。”我曾经是一个公主，”燕子说，“是雅典国王的女儿，但是我的丈夫却因为我的一个小过失而割掉了我的舌头。为了以免再次受到伤害，朱诺就把我变成了一只鸟。””你可真会搬弄是非，”乌鸦说，“要是你没有损失舌头，又会变成什么样呢？我简直不敢想象。”
THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW
A Swallow was once boasting to a Crow about her birth. “I was once a princess,” said she, “the daughter of a King of Athens, but my husband used me cruelly, and cut out my tongue for a slight fault. Then, to protect me from further injury, I was turned by Juno into a bird.” “You chatter quite enough as it is,” said the Crow. “What you would have been like if you hadn’t lost your tongue, I can’t think.”
Moral
Never boast about yourself, as it is best to remain humble and know your place.
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11.156. 猎人和骑手#
有个猎人出外打猎后，扛着一只兔子归来，途中遇见一个骑马的人，那人停下来说：”你已经收获猎物回来了，先生。”而且还假装要买兔子。猎人很高兴地同意了，可是骑马人一拿到兔子，立刻就用鞭子抽了马一下，飞奔而去。猎人拼命地在后面追赶了一阵子，但是很快就明白自己上当了，不再去追骑马人。为了挽回自己的颜面，猎人在骑马人身后大声喊道：“好吧，好吧，拿走吧！那只兔子送给你了。”
THE HUNTER AND THE HORSEMAN
A Hunter went out after game, and succeeded in catching a hare, which he was carrying home with him when he met a man on horseback, who said to him, “You have had some sport I see, sir,” and offered to buy it. The Hunter readily agreed; but the Horseman had no sooner got the hare in his hands than he set spurs to his horse and went off at full gallop. The Hunter ran after him for some little distance; but it soon dawned upon him that he had been tricked, and he gave up trying to overtake the Horseman, and, to save his face, called after him as loud as he could, “All right, sir, all right, take your hare: it was meant all along as a present.”
Moral
Moral of the story: Don’t be too trusting of strangers or you may be taken advantage of.
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11.157. 夜莺和燕子#
一只燕子在和一只夜莺聊天，燕子劝她不要在茂密的树丛上做窝了，像自己一样与人住在一起。可是，夜莺却回答说：“我过去也曾像你一样和人住在一起，但是我所遭受的那份痛苦回忆让他们都不喜欢我，我永远都不想再接近他们的住所。”
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE SWALLOW
A Swallow, conversing with a Nightingale, advised her to quit the leafy coverts where she made her home, and to come and live with men, like herself, and nest under the shelter of their roofs. But the Nightingale replied, “Time was when I too, like yourself, lived among men: but the memory of the cruel wrongs I then suffered makes them hateful to me, and never again will I approach their dwellings.”
Moral
The scene of past sufferings revives painful memories.
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11.158. 旅人和命运女神#
经过一段长途跋涉，一个疲劳过度的旅行者倒在一口深井的边缘，酣然入睡。他差一点就掉到井里去，这时，命运女神出现在他面前，并且摸着他的肩膀，提醒他离井远一点。”朋友，拜托你，快醒醒，”女神说，“你若是掉到井里去，一定会责怪我，而不会责怪自己的愚蠢。”
THE TRAVELLER AND FORTUNE
A Traveller, exhausted with fatigue after a long journey, sank down at the very brink of a deep well and presently fell asleep. He was within an ace of falling in, when Dame Fortune appeared to him and touched him on the shoulder, cautioning him to move further away. “Wake up, good sir, I pray you,” she said; “had you fallen into the well, the blame would have been thrown not on your own folly but on me, Fortune.”
Moral
Moral of the story: It is wise to be prepared for the unexpected and to be aware of the potential consequences of our actions.
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11.159. 乌龟和鸭子#
乌龟呀，你知道，背着家在路上走。无论他多么努力，生活就是不能离开家。有人说朱庇特惩罚他这样，因为他是个多么懒惰的乌龟，他甚至不去朱庇特的婚礼，尽管受邀参加。经过许多年，乌龟开始希望他也去参加那场婚礼。当他看到鸟儿如何欢快地飞舞，野兔、花栗
寓意
鼠以及蚂蚁在聚会上庆祝，乌龟开始意识到自己没有努力的后果。
这篇文章的寓意是: 生活不可避免地会把你带回家，而且努力追求你的目标是有必要的，因为不努力会带来后果。
👇 听寓言故事
THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS
The Tortoise, you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. They say that Jupiter punished him so, because he was such a lazy stay-at-home that he would not go to Jupiters wedding, even when especially invited. After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen, the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little short legs that could hardly drag him along. One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his trouble. We can help you to see the world, said the Ducks. Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be sorry. The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds. Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and cried: This must surely be the King of Tortoises! Why certainly began the Tortoise. But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.
Moral
Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.
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11.160. 小螃蟹和他的母亲#
母蟹对她儿子说:你怎么会这样斜着走?你应该直走,脚尖朝外。亲爱的妈妈,孩子恭敬地回答说:示范给我看如何走路,我想学也好。于是,老蟹尽力想要直走。但她只能斜着走,就象她的儿子一样。而且当她想把脚尖朝外时,却绊倒在了自己的鼻子上。
THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER
Why in the world do you walk sideways like that? said a Mother Crab to her son. You should always walk straight forward with your toes turned out. Show me how to walk, mother dear, answered the little Crab obediently, I want to learn. So the old Crab tried and tried to walk straight forward. But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she wanted to turn her toes out she tripped and fell on her nose.
Moral
Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.
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11.161. 鹰与火鸡#
一只老鹰，张着雄伟的翅膀俯冲下来，用爪子夺走了一只小羊带到它的巢穴去了。一只乌鸦看见这一幕，它傻乎乎的脑袋里就充满了老鹰所做的一切。于是它带着激烈的气势，急速地俯冲到一只大绵羊的背上。可是当它试图再次飞起时，发现自己却无法离去，因为它的爪子缠在绵羊的肚皮上。
THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW
An Eagle, swooping down on powerful wings, seized a lamb in her talons and made off with it to her nest. A Jackdaw saw the deed, and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. So with much rustling of feathers and a fierce air, he came down swiftly on the back of a large Ram. But when he tried to rise again he found that he could not get away, for his claws were tangled in the wool. And so far was he from carrying away the Ram, that the Ram hardly noticed he was there. The Shepherd saw the fluttering Jackdaw and at once guessed what had happened. Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its wings. That evening he gave the Jackdaw to his children. What a funny bird this is! they said laughing, what do you call it, father? That is a Jackdaw, my children. But if you should ask him, he would say he is an Eagle.
Moral
Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers.
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11.162. 小男孩和板栗#
一个男孩被允许用他的手伸进一个水壶里拿一些核桃，但他拿了这么多以至于手拿不出来了！他站在那里，不愿放掉一颗核桃，但又拿不出所有的核桃。他失望又沮丧地哭起来。他妈妈对他说：“孩子，满足于你已经拿到的核桃，那样你就能把手从水壶里拿出来；也许它们没有我期望你拿到的那么多，但是它们是你现在拥有的，它们可以改善你现有的情况，而不是留在那里永远的失去。”
THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS
A Boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher to get some filberts. But he took such a great fistful that he could not draw his hand out again. There he stood, unwilling to give up a single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed and disappointed he began to cry. My boy, said his mother, be satisfied with half the nuts you have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps you may have some more filberts some other time.
11.163. 海克力士和车夫#
农夫驾着车子沿着一条泥泞的乡间小路行驶，此前刚刚下过一场大雨。马儿几乎拉不动满载着货物的车，最后，车轮堆进泥坑，完全停住了。农夫从座位上下来，站在车旁看着，但没有做一点努力去把车弄出泥坑。他只是咒骂自己的运气太差，叫嚷着要赫拉大车子。
HERCULES AND THE WAGONER
A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut. The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon looking at it but without making the least effort to get it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call loudly on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules really did appear, saying: Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do you think you can move the wagon by simply looking at it and whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make some effort to help yourself. And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the Farmer was riding along in great content and with a good lesson learned.
11.164. 城鼠与乡鼠#
那么一只城里的老鼠曾经去看望住在乡下的亲戚，用餐的时候乡下老鼠端上了小麦梗、根茎以及橡子，饮料是一杯冷水。城里老鼠只少量的吃了一点点，表现出来只是出于礼貌才吃这种简单粗陋的食物。吃完午餐后这两位朋友进行了一段相当长的聊天，更确切的说是城里老鼠向乡下老鼠学习丰富实用的生活技能。
THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
A Town Mouse once visited a relative who lived in the country. For lunch the Country Mouse served wheat stalks, roots, and acorns, with a dash of cold water for drink. The Town Mouse ate very sparingly, nibbling a little of this and a little of that, and by her manner making it very plain that she ate the simple food only to be polite. After the meal the friends had a long talk, or rather the Town Mouse talked about her life in the city while the Country Mouse listened. They then went to bed in a cozy nest in the hedgerow and slept in quiet and comfort until morning. In her sleep the Country Mouse dreamed she was a Town Mouse with all the luxuries and delights of city life that her friend had described for her. So the next day when the Town Mouse asked the Country Mouse to go home with her to the city, she gladly said yes. When they reached the mansion in which the Town Mouse lived, they found on the table in the dining room the leavings of a very fine banquet. There were sweetmeats and jellies, pastries, delicious cheeses, indeed, the most tempting foods that a Mouse can imagine. But just as the Country Mouse was about to nibble a dainty bit of pastry, she heard a Cat mew loudly and scratch at the door. In great fear the Mice scurried to a hiding place, where they lay quite still for a long time, hardly daring to breathe. When at last they ventured back to the feast, the door opened suddenly and in came the servants to clear the table, followed by the House Dog. The Country Mouse stopped in the Town Mouse’s den only long enough to pick up her carpet bag and umbrella. You may have luxuries and dainties that I have not, she said as she hurried away, but I prefer my plain food and simple life in the country with the peace and security that go with it.
Moral
Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
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11.165. 一捆棍子#
一位父亲有一家子弟，他们总是彼此争吵。没有他说的话有半点用处，所以他在脑海里想出一些非常引人注目的例子，让他们看到不和谐会导致他们不幸。有一天，争吵比平时更加剧烈，每个儿子都生气地抑郁着，他让其中一个儿子给他带一捆棍子。然后，他把这捆棍子一一递给他的兄弟，让他们看一看，当谁站出来接受棍子时，他的儿子才发现棍子是一根又一根地接合起来的，那表明他们能够联合起来，而不是互相斗争。
THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the least good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking example that should make them see that discord would lead them to misfortune. One day when the quarreling had been much more violent than usual and each of the Sons was moping in a surly manner, he asked one of them to bring him a bundle of sticks. Then handing the bundle to each of his Sons in turn he told them to try to break it. But although each one tried his best, none was able to do so. The Father then untied the bundle and gave the sticks to his Sons to break one by one. This they did very easily. My Sons, said the Father, do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with each other and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in that bundle.
11.166. 牛车轮#
一对牛在泥泞的乡村小路上拉着满载重货的车辆，他们下了苦力，可也没有一丝抱怨。而车轮却有另一番景象，他们的负担比牛轻得多，可是每转一次，就嘎然而止，痛苦不堪。可怜的牛下苦力把车子拉出泥泞，耳里却听着车轮唉叹的哀号，这实在使他们的苦劳又多一分沉重。
THE OXEN AND THE WHEELS
A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded wagon along a miry country road. They had to use all their strength to pull the wagon, but they did not complain. The Wheels of the wagon were of a different sort. Though the task they had to do was very light compared with that of the Oxen, they creaked and groaned at every turn. The poor Oxen, pulling with all their might to draw the wagon through the deep mud, had their ears filled with the loud complaining of the Wheels. And this, you may well know, made their work so much the harder to endure. Silence!, the Oxen cried at last, out of patience. What have you Wheels to complain about so loudly? We are drawing all the weight, not you, and we are keeping still about it besides.
11.167. 蚊子和公牛#
一只小蚊子在草原上飞行，它虽然体型很小却发出很大的嗡嗡声，它最终飞到了一头公牛的角上停下来休息。待它休息片刻后，它准备飞走，在离开之前，它向公牛赔礼道歉，说道：“我的去世你应该很高兴吧？”“没什么，”公牛回答道，“我甚至都没有注意到你在这里。”
THE GNAT AND THE BULL
A Gnat flew over the meadow with much buzzing for so small a creature and settled on the tip of one of the horns of a Bull. After he had rested a short time, he made ready to fly away. But before he left he begged the Bull’s pardon for having used his horn for a resting place. You must be very glad to have me go now, he said. It’s all the same to me, replied the Bull. I did not even know you were there.
11.168. 梧桐#
两个旅行者，在正午的阳光里行走，寻找一棵蔓延的大树来休息。当他们躺在宜人的树叶之间仰望时，他们发现这是一棵梧桐树。梧桐树有多么无用啊！一个人说。它根本不结果子，只会用树叶乱丢乱撒。没有感激之心！梧桐树的声音说。你们躺在我凉爽的树荫下，却说我没用？
THE PLANE TREE
Two Travellers, walking in the noonday sun, sought the shade of a widespreading tree to rest. As they lay looking up among the pleasant leaves, they saw that it was a Plane Tree. How useless is the Plane!, said one of them. It bears no fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves. Ungrateful creatures! said a voice from the Plane Tree. You lie here in my cooling shade, and yet you say I am useless! Thus ungratefully, O Jupiter, do men receive their blessings!
Moral
Our best blessings are often the least appreciated.
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11.169. 农夫和鹳#
一只性情很单纯而且让人信任的鹤被一群欢快的鹤群叫去参观刚种植的一块田地。但派对却由于所有的鸟都被农夫的网网咬住而结束得很惨烈。鹤恳求农夫饶恕它。“求您放我走，”它恳求，“您知道，我们鹤家人是诚实的，是锦上添花的好鸟类。再者，我并不知道为什么我们该受到这种待遇”
THE FARMER AND THE STORK
A Stork of a very simple and trusting nature had been asked by a gay party of Cranes to visit a field that had been newly planted. But the party ended dismally with all the birds entangled in the meshes of the Farmer’s net. The Stork begged the Farmer to spare him. Please let me go, he pleaded. I belong to the Stork family who you know are honest and birds of good character. Besides, I did not know the Cranes were going to steal. You may be a very good bird, answered the Farmer, but I caught you with the thieving Cranes and you will have to share the same punishment with them.
11.170. 绵羊和猪#
一天，一个牧羊人在他的羊群牧草的草地上发现了一头肥猪。他很快抓住了这只猪，牧羊人一把抓住它，它就高声尖叫起来。听到这高高的尖叫声，你可能会认为它正在遭受残酷的伤害。但是，尽管它尖叫着，挣扎着想逃跑，牧羊人还是把它抱在怀里，然后走向市场上的肉商，卖掉它去换取金钱。
THE SHEEP AND THE PIG
One day a shepherd discovered a fat Pig in the meadow where his Sheep were pastured. He very quickly captured the porker, which squealed at the top of its voice the moment the Shepherd laid his hands on it. You would have thought, to hear the loud squealing, that the Pig was being cruelly hurt. But in spite of its squeals and struggles to escape, the Shepherd tucked his prize under his arm and started off to the butcher’s in the market place. The Sheep in the pasture were much astonished and amused at the Pig’s behavior, and followed the Shepherd and his charge to the pasture gate. What makes you squeal like that? asked one of the Sheep. The Shepherd often catches and carries off one of us. But we should feel very much ashamed to make such a terrible fuss about it like you do. That is all very well, replied the Pig, with a squeal and a frantic kick. When he catches you he is only after your wool. But he wants my bacon! gree-ee-ee!
11.171. 旅行者和皮夹#
两个人一起沿着路走，其中一人捡起一个装满了东西的钱包。“多么幸运啊！”他说，“我找到了一个钱包，根据它的重量，里面一定是满满的金子。”“不要说‘我找到了一个钱包’，”他的同伴说，“要说‘我们找到了一个钱包’，还有‘我们多么幸运’。旅行者在路上的运气要是能分享，就更幸福了。”
THE TRAVELERS AND THE PURSE
Two men were traveling in company along the road when one of them picked up a well-filled purse. How lucky I am! he said. I have found a purse. Judging by its weight it must be full of gold. Do not say ‘I have found a purse,’ said his companion. Say rather ‘we have found a purse’ and ‘how lucky we are. Travelers ought to share alike the fortunes or misfortunes of the road. No, no, replied the other angrily. I found it and I am going to keep it. Just then they heard a shout of Stop, thief! and looking around, saw a mob of people armed with clubs coming down the road. The man who had found the purse fell into a panic. We are lost if they find the purse on us, he cried. No, no, replied the other, You would not say ‘we’ before, so now stick to your ‘I’. Say ‘I am lost.
Moral
We cannot expect any one to share our misfortunes unless we are willing to share our good fortune also.
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11.172. 欲王之蛙#
青蛙们厌烦了自己治理自己。他们有太多的自由，以至于他们被宠坏了，他们什么也不做，只是松散地咕咕叫着，想要一个政府能够用皇家的荣耀和展示来娱乐他们，用一种能让他们觉得被统治的方式来管理他们。他们宣布没有什么能比牛奶和水还柔弱的政府更加好。
THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING
The Frogs were tired of governing themselves. They had so much freedom that it had spoiled them, and they did nothing but sit around croaking in a bored manner and wishing for a government that could entertain them with the pomp and display of royalty, and rule them in a way to make them know they were being ruled. No milk and water government for them, they declared. So they sent a petition to Jupiter asking for a king. Jupiter saw what simple and foolish creatures they were, but to keep them quiet and make them think they had a king he threw down a huge log, which fell into the water with a great splash. The Frogs hid themselves among the reeds and grasses, thinking the new king to be some fearful giant. But they soon discovered how tame and peaceable King Log was. In a short time the younger Frogs were using him for a diving platform, while the older Frogs made him a meeting place, where they complained loudly to Jupiter about the government. To teach the Frogs a lesson the ruler of the gods now sent a Crane to be king of Frogland. The Crane proved to be a very different sort of king from old King Log. He gobbled up the poor Frogs right and left and they soon saw what fools they had been. In mournful croaks they begged Jupiter to take away the cruel tyrant before they should all be destroyed. How now!, cried Jupiter Are you not yet content? You have what you asked for and so you have only yourselves to blame for your misfortunes.
Moral
Be sure you can better your condition before you seek to change.
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11.173. 枭鹰和蚱蜢#
老夜猫总是在白天睡觉。当夕阳西沉的时候，当粉红色的光线从天空消失，影子慢慢地穿过树林时，老夜猫就会闹腾地，眼珠子晃动着，从古老的空木桩里走出来。现在，它妙不可言的咕咕叫声传遍了寂静的树林，它开始寻找它喜欢吃的虫子、甲虫、青蛙和其他动物。
THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER
The Owl always takes her sleep during the day. Then after sundown, when the rosy light fades from the sky and the shadows rise slowly through the wood, out she comes ruffling and blinking from the old hollow tree. Now her weird hoo-hoo-hoo-oo-oo echoes through the quiet wood, and she begins her hunt for the bugs and beetles, frogs and mice she likes so well to eat. Now there was a certain old Owl who had become very cross and hard to please as she grew older, especially if anything disturbed her daily slumbers. One warm summer afternoon as she dozed away in her den in the old oak tree, a Grasshopper nearby began a joyous but very raspy song. Out popped the old Owl’s head from the opening in the tree that served her both for door and for window. Get away from here, sir, she said to the Grasshopper. Have you no manners?, You should at least respect my age and leave me to sleep in quiet! But the Grasshopper answered saucily that he had as much right to his place in the sun as the Owl had to her place in the old oak. Then he struck up a louder and still more rasping tune. The wise old Owl knew quite well that it would do no good to argue with the Grasshopper, nor with anybody else for that matter. Besides, her eyes were not sharp enough by day to permit her to punish the Grasshopper as he deserved. So she laid aside all hard words and spoke very kindly to him. Well sir, she said, if I must stay awake, I am going to settle right down to enjoy your singing. Now that I think of it, I have a wonderful wine here, sent me from Olympus, of which I am told Apollo drinks before he sings to the high gods. Please come up and taste this delicious drink with me. I know it will make you sing like Apollo himself. The foolish Grasshopper was taken in by the Owl’s flattering words. Up he jumped to the Owl’s den, but as soon as he was near enough so the old Owl could see him clearly, she pounced upon him and ate him up.
11.174. 栎树与芦苇#
一棵巨大的橡树矗立在一条小溪旁边，溪水里长着一些蔫蔫细芦苇。当风吹起时，伟大的橡树挺立在那里，百臂朝天振奋。但芦苇则在风中低头轻歌，忧伤而凄凉的歌声。“你们还是有理由抱怨了，”橡树说道，“只要微风轻轻拂过水面，你们就要低头，而我，这棵大树，却能从风中得到力量，屹立不倒。”
THE OAK AND THE REEDS
A Giant Oak stood near a brook in which grew some slender Reeds. When the wind blew, the great Oak stood proudly upright with its hundred arms uplifted to the sky. But the Reeds bowed low in the wind and sang a sad and mournful song. You have reason to complain, said the Oak. The slightest breeze that ruffles the surface of the water makes you bow your heads, while I, the mighty Oak, stand upright and firm before the howling tempest. Do not worry about us, replied the Reeds. The winds do not harm us. We bow before them and so we do not break. You, in all your pride and strength, have so far resisted their blows. But the end is coming. As the Reeds spoke a great hurricane rushed out of the north. The Oak stood proudly and fought against the storm, while the yielding Reeds bowed low. The wind redoubled in fury, and all at once the great tree fell, torn up by the roots, and lay among the pitying Reeds.
Moral
Better to yield when it is folly to resist, than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed.
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11.175. 鼠和大象#
一只老鼠正沿着国王专线旅行。考虑到它那娇小的身材和老鼠们都享有的坏名声，这只老鼠过于骄傲了。当这位老鼠先生紧紧贴着路边的沟渠走着的时候，它注意到，路面上升起了一阵骚乱，紧接着，一支盛大的游行队伍映入眼帘。那正是国王和他的随从。 国王骑在一头大象的背上，象背上装饰着十分华丽的服饰。奢华的象轿里陪着国王的是皇室猫狗。相当多的一群人紧跟在游行队伍后面。人们的注意力完全落在了对大象的敬仰上，丝毫没有主要到这只小老鼠。这伤了它的自尊。 “都是傻瓜蛋！”它扯着嗓门吼叫着。“看看我，你们马上就会忘了那笨拙的大象！让你们的眼珠子都掉出来的是它那巨大的身材，还是它那满身的皱纹？哎呀，我也跟它一样眼耳俱全，不缺胳膊不缺腿！我也和它一样重要，并且…”突然，皇家猫猫注意到了它，一瞬间，老鼠就明白了它根本没有大象那么重要。
THE RAT AND THE ELEPHANT
A Rat was traveling along the King’s highway. He was a very proud Rat, considering his small size and the bad reputation all Rats have. As Mr. Rat walked along, he kept mostly to the ditch, he noticed a great commotion up the road, and soon a grand procession came in view. It was the King and his retinue. The King rode on a huge Elephant adorned with the most gorgeous trappings. With the King in his luxurious howdah were the royal Dog and Cat. A great crowd of people followed the procession. They were so taken up with admiration of the Elephant, that the Rat was not noticed. His pride was hurt. What fools! he cried. Look at me, and you will soon forget that clumsy Elephant! Is it his great size that makes your eyes pop out? Or is it his wrinkled hide? Why, I have eyes and ears and as many legs as he! I am of just as much importance, and But just then the royal Cat spied him, and the next instant, the Rat knew he was not quite so important as an Elephant.
Moral
A resemblance to the great in some things does not make us great.
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11.176. 乌鸦和水壶#
在一段乾旱天氣裡，鳥兒們幾乎很難找到喝的東西，一隻口渴的老鴉發現有一個罐子裡有點水。但是這個罐子很高而且窄口，無論怎麼樣老鴉都到不了水。可憐的它感覺就像要因口渴而死了。然後他有個主意，他拾了些小石子一顆一顆地往罐子裡丟。每下一顆石子，水就降低了一點，最後他得到了他想要的，他的口渴得到了滿足。
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER
In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he must die of thirst. Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
Moral
In a pinch a good use of our wits may help us out.
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11.177. 蚂蚁和蝗虫#
一个晚秋的明亮日子，一家蚂蚁在温暖的阳光下忙碌不停，正在晒着他们夏天储存的谷物，这时一只饥饿的蚱蜢，手里拿着一把小提琴，谦卑地请求吃点东西。 什么！蚂蚁们惊讶地叫道，你没有为冬天储存食物吗？你夏天到底都在做什么？ 蚱蜢抱怨着说，我正在练习我的小提琴，就在夏天外面奏着欢乐的音乐！
THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER
One bright day in late autumn a family of Ants were bustling about in the warm sunshine, drying out the grain they had stored up during the summer when a starving Grasshopper, his fiddle under his arm, came up and humbly begged for a bite to eat. What!, cried the Ants in surprise, haven’t you stored anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer? I didn’t have time to store up any food, whined the Grasshopper; I was so busy making music that before I knew it the summer was gone. The Ants shrugged their shoulders in disgust. Making music, were you? they cried. Very well; now dance! And they turned their backs on the Grasshopper and went on with their work.
11.178. 牛抬着像#
一尊神像正被抬向寺庙。它骑在装饰着花环和华丽饰物的驴上，由牧师和侍从组成的宏伟游行队伍跟随在它的后面穿过街头。驴走着，人们谦卑地低头或跪倒，驴以为这是为它自己所表示的荣耀。它充满了这种愚蠢的想法，骄傲自大起来，便停下蹄子，发出了疯狂的叫声。
THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE
A sacred Image was being carried to the temple. It was mounted on an Ass adorned with garlands and gorgeous trappings, and a grand procession of priests and pages followed it through the streets. As the Ass walked along, the people bowed their heads reverently or fell on their knees, and the Ass thought the honor was being paid to himself. With his head full of this foolish idea, he became so puffed up with pride and vanity that he halted and started to bray loudly. But in the midst of his song, his driver guessed what the Ass had got into his head, and began to beat him unmercifully with a stick. Go along with you, you stupid Ass, he cried. The honor is not meant for you but for the image you are carrying.
Moral
Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others.
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11.179. 乌鸦和天鹅#
夜鸦见天鹅毛色白洁如雪，心生嫉妒，自认能像它一样日夜在水中游泳、潜水、吃芦苇来变成白色。于是它离开树林，飞到湖泊和沼泽里去，可日夜洗澡至濒死也改变不了羽毛的颜色，而不习惯吃水草的它变得愈发憔悴，最后饿死了。
A RAVEN AND A SWAN
A Raven, which you know is black as coal, was envious of the Swan, because her feathers were as white as the purest snow. The foolish bird got the idea that if he lived like the Swan, swimming and diving all day long and eating the weeds and plants that grow in the water, his feathers would turn white like the Swan’s. So he left his home in the woods and fields and flew down to live on the lakes and in the marshes. But though he washed and washed all day long, almost drowning himself at it, his feathers remained as black as ever. And as the water weeds he ate did not agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died.
11.180. 狮子和蚊子#
走开,可恶的昆虫！狮子愤怒地对一只在他头顶飞旋的蚊子说。但是蚊子一点也不受影响。你认为只是因为他们称你为国王，我就会害怕你吗？蚊子恶毒地问狮子，下一瞬间他就冲向狮子，在他的鼻子上尖锐地叮了一口。恼羞成怒的狮子激烈地击打蚊子，却只是用爪子把自己抓破了而已。
THE LION AND THE GNAT
Away with you, vile insect!, said a Lion angrily to a Gnat that was buzzing around his head. But the Gnat was not in the least disturbed. Do you think, he said spitefully to the Lion, that I am afraid of you because they call you king? The next instant he flew at the Lion and stung him sharply on the nose. Mad with rage, the Lion struck fiercely at the Gnat, but only succeeded in tearing himself with his claws. Again and again the Gnat stung the Lion, who now was roaring terribly. At last, worn out with rage and covered with wounds that his own teeth and claws had made, the Lion gave up the fight. The Gnat buzzed away to tell the whole world about his victory, but instead he flew straight into a spider’s web. And there, he who had defeated the King of beasts came to a miserable end, the prey of a little spider.
Moral
The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared.
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11.181. 罗得斯的跳跃#
一位去过异国的男子回到家乡时，几乎不提他在外国的奇遇和伟大的事迹。他说的其中一项壮举是他在罗得斯城跳的一次非常远的跳跃。他说，没有其他人能跳得接近距离。罗得斯城有很多人看到了他的表演，可以证明他所说的是真的。一个听众说，不需要任何证人。假设这座城市就是罗得斯城，它就是他说的一样。
THE LEAP AT RHODES
A certain man who visited foreign lands could talk of little when he returned to his home except the wonderful adventures he had met with and the great deeds he had done abroad. One of the feats he told about was a leap he had made in a city Called Rhodes. That leap was so great, he said, that no other man could leap anywhere near the distance. A great many persons in Rhodes had seen him do it and would prove that what he told was true. No need of witnesses, said one of the hearers. Suppose this city is Rhodes. Now show us how far you can jump.
11.182. 鸡和宝石#
一只公鸡正忙着抓挠去寻找自己和家人可以吃的东西，偶然间，他挖出了失主遗失的宝石。啊哈!公鸡说，毫无疑问，你价值不菲，失主会拿出极大的代价来找到你。但是就我来说，我宁愿拿一粒大麦谷子也不要全世界的宝石。
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL
A Cock was busily scratching and scraping about to find something to eat for himself and his family, when he happened to turn up a precious jewel that had been lost by its owner. Aha!, said the Cock, No doubt you are very costly and he who lost you would give a great deal to find you. But as for me, I would choose a single grain of barleycorn before all the jewels in the world.
Moral
Precious things are without value to those who cannot prize them.
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11.183. 飞禽野兽与蝙蝠#
飞禽和野兽之间宣战了。双方都不愿退让，战斗打得十分激烈。据说，是鹅族不堪狐狸家族的尖牙迫害，而引发了这场争斗。野兽们，也有战斗的理由。老鹰总是猎食野兔，猫头鹰每天捕杀老鼠。这是一场可怕的战斗许多野兔和老鼠战死沙场。鸡和鹅丧命的也不少——然而胜利者总会停下来饱餐一顿。目前蝙蝠家族并没有公开选边站队。它们这一族非常讲政治。因此，当他们看到飞禽们开始占据优势时，就全力支持鸟类。然而，当战场形势有利于野兽时，蝙蝠们又站在野兽一边。当战争结束的时候，和平会议上，双方就蝙蝠一族的行为进行了讨论。这种欺诈手段是不能够被原谅的，飞禽和野兽们达成了共识，驱逐了蝙蝠家族。从那以后，蝙蝠们就躲藏在黑暗的塔楼和荒弃的废墟里，只在夜晚才敢飞出来。
THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT
The Birds and the Beasts declared war against each other. No compromise was possible, and so they went at it tooth and claw. It is said the quarrel grew out of the persecution the race of Geese suffered at the teeth of the Fox family. The Beasts, too, had cause for fight. The Eagle was constantly pouncing on the Hare, and the Owl dined daily on Mice. It was a terrible battle. Many a Hare and many a Mouse died. Chickens and Geese fell by the score–and the victor always stopped for a feast. Now the Bat family had not openly joined either side. They were a very politic race. So when they saw the Birds getting the better of it, they were Birds for all there was in it. But when the tide of battle turned, they immediately sided with the Beasts. When the battle was over, the conduct of the Bats was discussed at the peace conference. Such deceit was unpardonable, and Birds and Beasts made common cause to drive out the Bats. And since then the Bat family hides in dark towers and deserted ruins, flying out only in the night.
11.184. 游客和大海#
两位旅行者沿着海滩走着，远远地，他们看到有什么东西随着波浪飘来。看，一个人说，一艘大船从遥远的地方航行而来，携带着丰富的珍宝！他们看到的东西越来越靠近海岸。不，另一个人说，那不是宝藏船，那是渔夫的小船，里面有当天捕获的鲜美的鱼。这件东西越来越近——
THE TRAVELERS AND THE SEA
Two Travelers were walking along the seashore, Far out they saw something riding on the waves. Look, said one, a great ship rides in from distant lands, bearing rich treasures! The object they saw came ever nearer the shore. No, said the other, that is not a treasure ship. That is some fisherman’s skiff, with the day’s catch of savoury fish. Still nearer came the object. The waves washed it up on shore. It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck, they cried. Both Travelers rushed to the beach, but there they found nothing but a water-soaked log.
Moral
Do not let your hopes carry you away from reality.
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11.185. 雄鹿和他的倒影#
一头鹿正在从水晶般的泉水中饮水，它在清澈的水中看到了自己的倒影。它非常欣赏自己鹿角的优美弧度，但却为自己纤细的腿而羞愧。它嘟囔道：“怎么会有这样的不幸，我的头顶多么美丽，可腿却这么细弱。”就在这时，它嗅到了一只豹子，它旋即窜出森林。可是，它腿弱的身躯又让它陷入了困境。
THE STAG AND HIS REFLECTION
A Stag, drinking from a crystal spring, saw himself mirrored in the clear water. He greatly admired the graceful arch of his antlers, but he was very much ashamed of his spindling legs. How can it be, he sighed, that I should be cursed with such legs when I have so magnificent a crown. At that moment he scented a panther and in an instant was bounding away through the forest. But as he ran his wide-spreading antlers caught in the branches of the trees, and soon the Panther overtook him. Then the Stag perceived that the legs of which he was so ashamed would have saved him had it not been for the useless ornaments on his head.
Moral
We often make much of the ornamental and despise the useful.
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11.186. 孔雀#
据说孔雀最初没有羽毛，也就是他现在如此自豪的美丽羽毛。朱诺(Juno)，他的宠物，有一天答应他，给他一个羽毛的尾巴，让他跟其他鸟区分开来。然后，他戴上了华美，闪耀着绿宝石，金色，紫色和蔚蓝，傲然走进了鸟群中。所有的鸟都嫉妒他。即使是最漂亮的鸟类，也无法和他的颜色和光彩相比。
THE PEACOCK
The Peacock, they say, did not at first have the beautiful feathers in which he now takes so much pride. These, Juno, whose favorite he was, granted to him one day when he begged her for a train of feathers to distinguish him from the other birds. Then, decked in his finery, gleaming with emerald, gold, purple, and azure, he strutted proudly among the birds. All regarded him with envy. Even the most beautiful pheasant could see that his beauty was surpassed. Presently the Peacock saw an Eagle soaring high up in the blue sky and felt a desire to fly, as he had been accustomed to do. Lifting his wings he tried to rise from the ground. But the weight of his magnificent train held him down. Instead of flying up to greet the first rays of the morning sun or to bathe in the rosy light among the floating clouds at sunset, he would have to walk the ground more encumbered and oppressed than any common barnyard fowl.
Moral
Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show.
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11.187. 虚荣的杰克鹳和他借来的羽毛#
一只杰克道鸦碰巧飞过国王宫殿的花园。他惊叹并憧憬地看到一群华丽外表的皇家孔雀在这里。现在这只黑色的杰克道鸦并不是一只很漂亮的鸟，也不是很文雅的鸟。然而，他认为自己加入孔雀的社会需要的就是和孔雀一样的装束。于是，他拾起了孔雀的一些抛弃的羽毛，贴在自己的黑色羽毛上，变得跟其他孔雀一样漂亮。
THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED FEATHERS
A Jackdaw chanced to fly over the garden of the King’s palace. There he saw with much wonder and envy a flock of royal Peacocks in all the glory of their splendid plumage. Now the black Jackdaw was not a very handsome bird, nor very refined in manner. Yet he imagined that all he needed to make himself fit for the society of the Peacocks was a dress like theirs. So he picked up some castoff feathers of the Peacocks and stuck them among his own black plumes. Dressed in his borrowed finery he strutted loftily among the birds of his own kind. Then he flew down into the garden among the Peacocks. But they soon saw who he was. Angry at the cheat, they flew at him, plucking away the borrowed feathers and also some of his own. The poor Jackdaw returned sadly to his former companions. There another unpleasant surprise awaited him. They had not forgotten his superior airs toward them, and, to punish him, they drove him away with a rain of pecks and jeers.
11.188. 熊和蜜蜂#
一只熊在森林里四处搜寻浆果，突然发现了一棵掉落的树上有一群蜜蜂储存了蜂蜜。熊谨慎地在树桩周围查看蜜蜂是否在家。正在此时，一只蜜蜂从三叶草场带着糖果货物回来了。猜熊想要什么，蜜蜂立马就朝他飞过去，狠狠地叮了他一下后就钻进了树洞里，熊被吓坏了，不知道是因为蜜蜂还是他自己的贪婪。
THE BEAR AND THE BEES
A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey. The Bear began to nose around the log very carefully to find out if the Bees were at home. Just then one of the swarm came home from the clover field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the Bear was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply and then disappeared into the hollow log. The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the log tooth and claw, to destroy the nest. But this only brought out the whole swarm. The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.
Moral
It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke thousand by flying into a rage.
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11.189. 鹭#
一只白鹭沿着河流岸边悠闲地行走，目光注视着清澈的水面，又长长的脖子和尖尖的喙随时准备抓住可能的早餐悉食。清澈的水里游来游去的鱼类可多了，可是这个早晨，白鹭先生可不乐意，他说：“小小的什么也不要，比起白鹭来，这点食物也太少了吧！”
THE HERON
A Heron was walking sedately along the bank of a stream, his eyes on the clear water, and his long neck and pointed bill ready to snap up a likely morsel for his breakfast. The clear water swarmed with fish, but Master Heron was hard to please that morning. No small fry for me, he said. Such scanty fare is not fit for a Heron. Now a fine young Perch swam near. No indeed, said the Heron. I wouldn’t even trouble to open my beak for anything like that! As the sun rose, the fish left the shallow water near the shore and swam below into the cool depths toward the middle. The Heron saw no more fish, and very glad was he at last to breakfast on a tiny Snail.
Moral
Do not be too hard to suit or you may have to be content with the worst or with nothing at all.
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11.190. 驼马#
一头驴休息和喂养得很好，感觉非常充沛。它傲然地走着，抬头挺胸。它说：我爸爸当然是个良驹呀。我完全可以感觉出来。第二天它又被拴起来，晚上感觉心情很沮丧：我错了，我爸爸原来是一头驴。
THE MULE
A Mule had had a long rest and much good feeding. He was feeling very vigorous indeed, and pranced around loftily, holding his head high. My father certainly was a full-blooded racer, he said. I can feel that distinctly. Next day he was put into harness again and that evening he was very downhearted indeed. I was mistaken, he said. My father was an Ass after all.
Moral
Be sure of your pedigree before you boast of it.
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11.191. 孔雀与鹤#
一只充满虚荣的孔雀，有一天遇到了一只鹤，为了给它留下深刻的印象，它在阳光下展开自己华丽的尾羽。它说：“看，你能拿什么来和我相比？我穿着彩虹的荣耀，而你的羽毛只是灰乎乎的灰尘！”鹤展开它宽阔的翅膀，飞向太阳。它说：“跟我来，如果你想看到我的真正伟大。”
THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE
A Peacock, puffed up with vanity, met a Crane one day, and to impress him spread his gorgeous tail in the Sun. Look, he said, What have you to compare with this? I am dressed in all the glory of the rainbow, while your feathers are gray as dust! The Crane spread his broad wings and flew up toward the sun. Follow me if you can, he said, But the Peacock stood where he was among the birds of the barnyard, while the Crane soared in freedom far up into the blue sky.
Moral
The useful is of much more importance and value, than the ornamental.
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11.192. 农夫和鹤#
有几只鹤看到一个农民正在耕翻一个大田。耕完种子之后，它们耐心地观察着农民播种。它们以为这是它们的盛宴，于是农民一走，它们便飞下田里，尽可能快地吃起来。当然，农民知道鹤的行事和伎俩，他对这类鸟的经历也不少。他很快又带着投石袋重新来到田里。但他并没有带石头，而是一袋糖果，放到地里，让鹤吃上满足，离开田里。
THE FARMER AND THE CRANES
Some Cranes saw a farmer plowing a large field. When the work of plowing was done, they patiently watched him sow the seed. It was their feast, they thought. So, as soon as the Farmer had finished planting and had gone home, down they flew to the field, and began to eat as fast as they could. The Farmer, of course, knew the Cranes and their ways. He had had experience with such birds before. He soon returned to the field with a sling. But he did not bring any stones with him. He expected to scare the Cranes just by swinging the sling in the air, and shouting loudly at them. At first the Cranes flew away in great terror. But they soon began to see that none of them ever got hurt. They did not even hear the noise of stones whizzing through the air, and as for words, they would kill nobody. At last they paid no attention whatever to the Farmer. The Farmer saw that he would have to take other measures. He wanted to save at least some of his grain. So he loaded his sling with stones and killed several of the Cranes. This had the effect the Farmer wanted, for from that day the Cranes visited his field no more.
Moral
Bluff and threatening words are of little value with rascals.
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11.193. 农民和他的儿子#
一位富裕的老农，感到自己活不了多久，叫唤儿子们到他床边。“儿子们，”他说，“要听我说的话。千万不要把一直传承在我们家族的这块地分开，那里藏着丰富的宝藏。我不知道确切的位置，但它肯定在那里，你们一定会找到的。不要懈怠，不要有任何一块地没有翻动过。”
THE FARMER AND HIS SONS
A rich old farmer, who felt that he had not many more days to live, called his sons to his bedside. My sons, he said, heed what I have to say to you. Do not on any account part with the estate that has belonged to our family for so many generations. Somewhere on it is hidden a rich treasure. I do not know the exact spot, but it is there, and you will surely find it. Spare no energy and leave no spot unturned in your search. The father died, and no sooner was he in his grave than the sons set to work digging with all their might, turning up every foot of ground with their spades, and going over the whole farm two or three times. No hidden gold did they find; but at harvest time when they had settled their accounts and had pocketed a rich profit far greater than that of any of their neighbors, they understood that the treasure their father had told them about was the wealth of a bountiful crop, and that in their industry had they found the treasure.
11.194. 两个锅#
两口锅，一口是黄铜的，另一口是陶土的，站在炉石上。有一天，黄铜锅向土锅提出，让他们一起出去闯荡世界。但是陶土锅考虑到明智，拒绝了他的请求，他说，我很容易就会破裂，你知道，我有多非常脆弱，遇到一点点硬物，我就会粉身碎骨地破碎。
THE TWO POTS
Two Pots, one of brass and the other of clay, stood together on the hearthstone. One day the Brass Pot proposed to the Earthen Pot that they go out into the world together. But the Earthen Pot excused himself, saying that it would be wiser for him to stay in the corner by the fire. It would take so little to break me, he said, You know how fragile I am. The least shock is sure to shatter me! Don’t let that keep you at home, urged the Brass Pot. I shall take very good care of you. If we should happen to meet anything hard I will step between and save you. So the Earthen Pot at last consented, and the two set out side by side, jolting along on three stubby legs first to this side, then to that, and bumping into each other at every step. The Earthen Pot could not survive that sort of companionship very long. They had not gone ten paces before the Earthen Pot cracked, and at the next jolt he flew into a thousand pieces.
11.195. 鹅和金蛋#
从前有个乡下人，他养了一只你想象不到的神奇的鹅，每天拜访鹅窝，鹅都下了一个漂亮、闪亮、金色的蛋。乡下人把这些鸡蛋带到市场上，很快就致富了。但没过多久，他就对鹅不耐烦了，因为每天只能得到一个金色蛋，赚的钱不够快。后来有一天，他数完钱后，有个主意。
THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG
There was once a Countryman who possessed the most wonderful Goose you can imagine, for every day when he visited the nest, the Goose had laid a beautiful, glittering, golden egg. The Countryman took the eggs to market and soon began to get rich. But it was not long before he grew impatient with the Goose because she gave him only a single golden egg a day. He was not getting rich fast enough. Then one day, after he had finished counting his money, the idea came to him that he could get all the golden eggs at once by killing the Goose and cutting it open. But when the deed was done, not a single golden egg did he find, and his precious Goose was dead.
Moral
Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.
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11.196. 农夫和蛇#
一个寒冷的冬早晨，一位农夫穿过他的田地。地上躺着一条蛇，冻得发僵。农夫知道这条蛇有多么的致命，然而他还是把它捡起来放在怀里，想把它暖暖的复活过来。蛇很快就复活了，当它有足够的力量的时候，它就咬了那位对它如此仁慈的人。这一口蛇咬是致命的，这位农夫死去了。
THE FARMER AND THE SNAKE
A Farmer walked through his field one cold winter morning. On the ground lay a Snake, stiff and frozen with the cold. The Farmer knew how deadly the Snake could be, and yet he picked it up and put it in his bosom to warm it back to life. The Snake soon revived, and when it had enough strength, bit the man who had been so kind to it. The bite was deadly and the Farmer felt that he must die. As he drew his last breath, he said to those standing around: Learn from my fate not to take pity on a scoundrel.
Moral
Learn from my fate not to take pity on a scoundrel.
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11.197. 棍子蹒跚而行#
一只雄鹿病倒了。他只有足够的力气去收集一些食物，找到一片安静的林中空地，在那里他躺下来，等待他的力量恢复。动物们听说雄鹿的病情，就来询问他的健康情况。当然，他们都很饿，大胆地吃掉了雄鹿的食物;正如你所想的，雄鹿很快就饿死了。
THE STICK STAG
A Stag had fallen sick. He had just strength enough to gather some food and find a quiet clearing in the woods, where he lay down to wait until his strength should return. The Animals heard about the Stag’s illness and came to ask after his health. Of course, they were all hungry, and helped themselves freely to the Stag’s food; and as you would expect, the Stag soon starved to death.
Moral
Good will is worth nothing unless it is accompanied by good acts.
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11.198. 挥霍者和燕子#
一个年轻人，在他的朋友中非常受欢迎，因为他是一个好的花费者，很快就把他的财产都花光了，试图与他的声誉相一致。然后，在早春的一个美好的日子，他发现自己什么钱也没有了，没有任何财产，只有他穿的衣服。他当天早上要去见一些欢乐的年轻人，他完全不知道怎么才能得到朋友的尊重，以及他们的礼物。
THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW
A young fellow, who was very popular among his boon companions as a good spender, quickly wasted his fortune trying to live up to his reputation. Then one fine day in early spring he found himself with not a penny left, and no property save the clothes he wore. He was to meet some jolly young men that morning, and he was at his wits’ end how to get enough money to keep up appearances. Just then a Swallow flew by, twittering merrily, and the young man, thinking summer had come, hastened off to a clothes dealer, to whom he sold all the clothes he wore down to his very tunic. A few days later a change in weather brought a severe frost; and the poor swallow and that foolish young man in his light tunic, and with his arms and knees bare, could scarcely keep life in their shivering bodies.
11.199. 预言家的一天#
一个很久以前的人相信他可以从星星上看到未来。他称自己为星相学家，晚上花很多时间凝视着天空。有一天晚上，他正在村外的露天小路上走着，目光直聚星星。他以为他从星星上看到了世界末日就要来临，但突然间，他掉进了一个满是泥水的洞里。他站在泥水中，脚踩到耳朵，拼命地挣扎，却没有脱离这一惨境。
THE ASTROLOGER
A man who lived a long time ago believed that he could read the future in the stars. He called himself an Astrologer, and spent his time at night gazing at the sky. One evening he was walking along the open road outside the village. His eyes were fixed on the stars. He thought he saw there that the end of the world was at hand, when all at once, down he went into a hole full of mud and water. There he stood up to his ears, in the muddy water, and madly clawing at the slippery sides of the hole in his effort to climb out. His cries for help soon brought the villagers running. As they pulled him out of the mud, one of them said: You pretend to read the future in the stars, and yet you fail to see what is at your feet! This may teach you to pay more attention to what is right in front of you, and let the future take care of itself. What use is it, said another, to read the stars, when you can’t see what’s right here on the earth?
Moral
Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.
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11.200. 三头牛和一头狮子#
一只狮子正在开阔的田地里注视着三头牛在吃草，他曾试图好几次攻击它们，但是他们保持在一起，互相帮助把他赶跑了。狮子没有什么指望能把它们吃掉，因为三头有锋利的角和蹄子的牛和他比起来实在弱小。但他又不能走开，因为即使没有机会把它们吃掉，但看着它们，令他充满希望。
THREE BULLOCKS AND A LION
A Lion had been watching three Bullocks feeding in an open field. He had tried to attack them several times, but they had kept together, and helped each other to drive him off. The Lion had little hope of eating them, for he was no match for three strong Bullocks with their sharp horns and hoofs. But he could not keep away from that field, for it is hard to resist watching a good meal, even when there is little chance of getting it. Then one day the Bullocks had a quarrel, and when the hungry Lion came to look at them and lick his chops as he was accustomed to do, he found them in separate corners of the field as far away from one another as they could get. It was now an easy matter for the Lion to attack them one at a time, and this he proceeded to do with the greatest satisfaction and relish.
11.201. 水星与木匠#
一位可怜的樵夫正在森林中一个深池岸边砍一棵树。天色已晚，樵夫累了。他自早晨起就在劳作，但挥斧的力度不像早上那么稳准了。结果斧头失手滚进水池里了。樵夫陷入绝望，因为斧头是他谋生的工具，而他没有足够的钱去买新的。当他捶着胸叹息时，水神墨丘利出现了，他让樵夫取回他的斧头。
MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN
A poor Woodman was cutting down a tree near the edge of a deep pool in the forest. It was late in the day and the Woodman was tired. He had been working since sunrise and his strokes were not so sure as they had been early that morning. Thus it happened that the axe slipped and flew out of his hands into the pool. The Woodman was in despair. The axe was all he possessed with which to make a living, and he had not money enough to buy a new one. As he stood wringing his hands and weeping, the god Mercury suddenly appeared and asked what the trouble was. The Woodman told what had happened, and straightway the kind Mercury dived into the pool. When he came up again he held a wonderful golden axe. Is this your axe? Mercury asked the Woodman. No, answered the honest Woodman, that is not my axe. Mercury laid the golden axe on the bank and sprang back into the pool. This time he brought up an axe of silver, but the Woodman declared again that his axe was just an ordinary one with a wooden handle. Mercury dived down for the third time, and when he came up again he had the very axe that had been lost. The poor Woodman was very glad that his axe had been found and could not thank the kind god enough. Mercury was greatly pleased with the Woodman’s honesty. I admire your honesty, he said, and as a reward you may have all three axes, the gold and the silver as well as your own. The happy Woodman returned to his home with his treasures, and soon the story of his good fortune was known to everybody in the village. Now there were several Woodmen in the village who believed that they could easily win the same good fortune. They hurried out into the woods, one here, one there, and hiding their axes in the bushes, pretended they had lost them. Then they wept and wailed and called on Mercury to help them. And indeed, Mercury did appear, first to this one, then to that. To each one he showed an axe of gold, and each one eagerly claimed it to be the one he had lost. But Mercury did not give them the golden axe. Oh no! Instead he gave them each a hard whack over the head with it and sent them home. And when they returned next day to look for their own axes, they were nowhere to be found.
11.202. 蛇和老鹰#
一条蛇成功地出人意料地击败了一只老鹰，缠绕在老鹰的脖子上。老鹰无法用喙或者爪子够到蛇的身体，它只能往高高的天空上飞翔，想要摆脱它的敌人。但是蛇的紧紧扣住它的脖子，老鹰慢慢地又一点点地下坠到地面上，不断地喘气。一个乡下人巧遇这场不平等的斗争，为了挽救老鹰，他用自己的手重重地劈开了蛇的头，拯救了老鹰。
THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE
A Serpent had succeeded in surprising an Eagle and had wrapped himself around the Eagle’s neck. The Eagle could not reach the Serpent, neither with beak nor claws. Far into the sky he soared trying to shake off his enemy. But the Serpent’s hold only tightened, and slowly the Eagle sank back to earth, gasping for breath. A Countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity for the noble Eagle he rushed up and soon had loosened the coiling Serpent and freed the Eagle. The Serpent was furious. He had no chance to bite the watchful Countryman. Instead he struck at the drinking horn, hanging at the Countryman’s belt, and into it let fly the poison of his fangs. The Countryman now went on toward home. Becoming thirsty on the way, he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to drink. There was a sudden rush of great wings. Sweeping down, the Eagle seized the poisoned horn from out his savior’s hands, and flew away with it to hide it where it could never be found.
11.203. 鹰和甲虫#
一只甲虫曾经求渡，请鹰放过奔走于其保护之下的野兔。但是鹰扑向其猎物，巨大的翅膀扫荡，将甲虫推到几十英尺外。甲虫对所受的不尊重愤怒不已，迅速飞到鹰窝，把每一颗鸟蛋都打翻了。因为不知道是谁犯下这种残忍的行为，鹰既悲伤又愤怒。第二年，鹰再也没有下过蛋了。
THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE
A Beetle once begged the Eagle to spare a Hare which had run to her for protection. But the Eagle pounced upon her prey, the sweep of her great wings tumbling the Beetle a dozen feet away. Furious at the disrespect shown her, the Beetle flew to the Eagle’s nest and rolled out the eggs. Not one did she spare. The Eagle’s grief and anger knew no bounds, but who had done the cruel deed she did not know. Next year the Eagle built her nest far up on a mountain crag; but the Beetle found it and again destroyed the eggs. In despair the Eagle now implored great Jupiter to let her place her eggs in his lap. There none would dare harm them. But the Beetle buzzed about Jupiter’s head, and made him rise to drive her away; and the eggs rolled from his lap. Now the Beetle told the reason for her action, and Jupiter had to acknowledge the justice of her cause. And they say that ever after, while the Eagle’s eggs lie in the nest in spring, the Beetle still sleeps in the ground.For so Jupiter commanded.
Moral
Even the weakest may find means to avenge a wrong.
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11.204. 男人与狮子#
一只狮子和一个人碰巧一起穿过森林旅行。他们很快就开始争吵，因为他们都吹嘘自己和自己的一类人比另一类人在力量和头脑上都要强大得多。现在他们来到森林里的一片空地，那里有一座雕像。这是一尊赫拉克勒斯拉着撕裂尼米亚狮的下颚的雕像。看，那个人说，这就是我们人类能力的象征。
THE MAN AND THE LION
A Lion and a Man chanced to travel in company through the forest. They soon began to quarrel, for each of them boasted that he and his kind were far superior to the other both in strength and mind. Now they reached a clearing in the forest and there stood a statue. It was a representation of Heracles in the act of tearing the jaws of the Nemean Lion. See, said the man, that’s how strong we are! The King of Beasts is like wax in our hands! Ho!,laughed the Lion, a Man made that statue. It would have been quite a different scene had a Lion made it!
Moral
It all depends on the point of view, and who tells the story.
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11.205. 挑水的女孩和她的水桶#
一个挤奶工正从牧场拎着满满一桶闪闪发光的牛奶回家，她的头顶着水桶走在路上。正当她走着，心里就筹划着未来的计划：“这么多好牛奶，够我搅制很多奶油，把奶油拿去市场上卖，拿到的钱就买很多蛋孵出小鸡来，真美妙啊，五一那天，把小鸡卖掉，应该可以赚到更多的钱”，她勇敢的梦想着自己的未来，相信自己实现梦想的可能性。
THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL
A Milkmaid had been out to milk the cows and was returning from the field with the shining milk pail balanced nicely on her head. As she walked along, her pretty head was busy with plans for the days to come. This good, rich milk, she mused, will give me plenty of cream to churn. The butter I make I will take to market, and with the money I get for it I will buy a lot of eggs for hatching. How nice it will be when they are all hatched and the yard is full of fine young chicks. Then when May day comes I will sell them, and with the money I’ll buy a lovely new dress to wear to the fair. All the young men will look at me. They will come and try to make love to me, but I shall very quickly send them about their business! As she thought of how she would settle that matter, she tossed her head scornfully, and down fell the pail of milk to the ground. And all the milk flowed out, and with it vanished butter and eggs and chicks and new dress and all the milkmaid’s pride.
Moral
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
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11.206. 挥霍鬼#
一位守财奴把他的黄金藏在花园里的一个秘密的地方里。他每天去那个地方挖掘宝藏，把它们一个一个的数一遍，以确保它们都在那儿。他去这个地方的次数太多，一个一直在注意他的小偷猜到了守财奴藏了什么，于是有一天晚上偷偷挖走了宝藏。当守财奴发现他的失窃时，他非常伤心和难过。
THE MISER
A Miser had buried his gold in a secret place in his garden. Every day he went to the spot, dug up the treasure and counted it piece by piece to make sure it was all there. He made so many trips that a Thief, who had been observing him, guessed what it was the Miser had hidden, and one night quietly dug up the treasure and made off with it. When the Miser discovered his loss, he was overcome with grief and despair. He groaned and cried and tore his hair. A passerby heard his cries and asked what had happened. My gold!, O my gold!, cried the Miser, wildly, someone has robbed me! Your gold!, There in that hole? Why did you put it there?, Why did you not keep it in the house where you could easily get it when you had to buy things? Buy! screamed the Miser angrily. Why, I never touched the gold. I couldn’t think of spending any of it. The stranger picked up a large stone and threw it into the hole. If that is the case, he said, cover up that stone. It is worth just as much to you as the treasure you lost!
Moral
A possession is worth no more than the use we make of it.
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11.207. 狡狐无尾#
一只狐狸的尾巴被夹住了，当他试着脱身的时候，挣断了整条尾巴。开始时，他看到其他狐狸的时候感到很羞愧。后来，他决定面对这种不幸，就召集了所有的狐狸开会。大家到齐后，他极力劝说其他狐狸也割掉尾巴，说尾巴在遭遇敌人时很不方便，尾巴一点儿作用也没有。可他没有说有尾巴的任何好处。一只老狐狸站出来说：“如果你没有失去你的尾巴，你是不会来劝大家都割去尾巴的。 ”
THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL
A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him. For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. But it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him out of his trouble. He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great importance to tell the tribe. When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails. This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge. That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety. When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling: Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer. When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.
Moral
Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you to his own level.
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11.208. 玫瑰与蝴蝶#
蝴蝶曾经爱上一朵美丽的玫瑰，玫瑰也不漠视，因为蝴蝶的翅膀粉末上具有一个迷人的金色和银色模式。因此，当他飞近并讲述他是多么爱她的时候，她脸红了，说是。经过大量可爱的求婚和许多耳语的誓约，蝴蝶温柔地与他的心上人告别。可惜的是，他才回到她的翅膀又离开了，因为他属于自由的世界，他的心中只有一种爱，他的爱不会与任何一种感情有所纠结。
THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY
A Butterfly once fell in love with a beautiful Rose. The Rose was not indifferent, for the Butterfly’s wings were powdered in a charming pattern of gold and silver. And so, when he fluttered near and told how he loved her, she blushed rosily and said yes. After much pretty love-making and many whispered vows of constancy, the Butterfly took a tender leave of his sweetheart. But alas! It was a long time before he came back to her. Is this your constancy? she exclaimed tearfully. It is ages since you went away, and all the time, you have been carrying on with all sorts of flowers. I saw you kiss Miss Geranium, and you fluttered around Miss Mignonette until Honey Bee chased you away. I wish he had stung you! Constancy! laughed the Butterfly. I had no sooner left you than I saw Zephyr kissing you. You carried on scandalously with Mr. Bumble Bee and you made eyes at every single Bug you could see. You can’t expect any constancy from me!
Moral
Do not expect constancy in others if you have none yourself.
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11.209. 那男孩和荨麻#
一个男孩被荨麻刺痛了，哭着跑回家去，要求他的母亲吹吹受伤处，并且亲亲它。当母亲安慰他之后，她对孩子说道：下次你靠近荨麻的时候，抓紧它，它将会变得像丝绸一样柔软。
THE BOY AND THE NETTLES
A Boy, stung by a Nettle, ran home crying, to get his mother to blow on the hurt and kiss it. Son, said the Boy’s mother, when she had comforted him, the next time you come near a Nettle, grasp it firmly, and it will be as soft as silk.
11.210. 老狮#
一只狮子已经变得非常老了，它的牙齿都磨损殆尽，它的四肢已经不能再承载它了，野兽之王非常可怜，他趴在地上喘息着，就要死了。他以前的力量和雄伟的美丽现在又在哪里？这时，一头野猪发现了它，冲过来用它黄色的獠牙用力刺它，一头公牛用它笨重的蹄子打击他，他已经没有办法了，他只能接受死亡。
THE OLD LION
A Lion had grown very old. His teeth were worn away. His limbs could no longer bear him, and the King of Beasts was very pitiful indeed as he lay gasping on the ground, about to die. Where now his strength and his former graceful beauty? Now a Boar spied him, and rushing at him, gored him with his yellow tusk. A Bull trampled him with his heavy hoofs. Even a contemptible Ass let fly his heels and brayed his insults in the face of the Lion.
Moral
It is cowardly to attack the defenseless, though he be an enemy.
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11.211. 两位旅行者和一只熊#
两个人一起穿过森林，突然，一只巨大的熊从灌木丛中冲了出来。一个人想着自己的安全，爬上了树。另一个人单独无力与野兽搏斗，就趴在地上，假装是死了。他听说熊不会碰死人。这似乎是真的，因为熊在那个人头上闻了一会儿，似乎确信他真的死了，走开了。树上的人下来了。他说，我们应该在恐惧面前勇敢坚定，不轻易就遭受挫折。
TWO TRAVELERS AND A BEAR
Two Men were traveling in company through a forest, when, all at once, a huge Bear crashed out of the brush near them. One of the Men, thinking of his own safety, climbed a tree. The other, unable to fight the savage beast alone, threw himself on the ground and lay still, as if he were dead. He had heard that a Bear will not touch a dead body. It must have been true, for the Bear snuffed at the Man’s head awhile, and then, seeming to be satisfied that he was dead, walked away. The Man in the tree climbed down. It looked just as if that Bear whispered in your ear, he said. What did he tell you? He said, answered the other, that it was not at all wise to keep company with a fellow who would desert his friend in a moment of danger.
11.212. 箭猪和蛇#
一只豪猪正在寻找一个好家。最后，他发现了一个有小山洞的地方，那里住着一群蛇。他请求他们让他与他们一起分享山洞，蛇很乐意地答应了。但蛇们很快就希望他们没有给了他留在里面的许可。他尖锐的刺他们每一次，最后他们礼貌地请求他离开。“非常感谢，”豪猪说，“我将永远不会忘记你们给我的帮助。”
THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES
A Porcupine was looking for a good home. At last he found a little sheltered cave, where lived a family of Snakes. He asked them to let him share the cave with them, and the Snakes kindly consented. The Snakes soon wished they had not given him permission to stay. His sharp quills pricked them at every turn, and at last they politely asked him to leave. I am very well satisfied, thank you, said the Porcupine. I intend to stay right here. And with that, he politely escorted the Snakes out of doors. And to save their skins, the Snakes had to look for another home.
11.213. 苍蝇和蜂蜜#
一 桶 蜂 蜜 翻 了 ， 粘 稠 的 甜 味 弥 漫 在 桌 上 。 蜂 蜜 浓 烈 的 香 味 很 快 就 吸 引 了 大 量 苍 蝇 前 来 盘 旋 。 它 们 根 本 不 等 到 邀 请 就 立 刻 坐 下， 头 尾 犹 如 粘 在 一 起， 尽 情 享 受 。 苍 蝇 结 结 实 实 的 沾 满 了 蜂 蜜 。 它 们 的 翅 膀 也 粘在 一 起， 一 起 吃 着 天 上 的 甜 品。
THE FLIES AND THE HONEY
A jar of honey was upset and the sticky sweetness flowed out on the table. The sweet smell of the honey soon brought a large number of Flies buzzing around. They did not wait for an invitation. No, indeed; they settled right down, feet and all, to gorge themselves. The Flies were quickly smeared from head to foot with honey. Their wings stuck together. They could not pull their feet out of the sticky mass. And so they died, giving their lives for the sake of a taste of sweetness.
Moral
Be not greedy for a little passing pleasure. It may destroy you.
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11.214. 鹰和鸢#
一只老鹰座在一棵大橡树枝上高高的安定。它看起来非常悲伤，对于一只老鹰来说，有点颓废。一只风筝看到了它，“你为什么看起来这么悲哀呢？”风筝问。
“我想要结婚，”老鹰回答，“但我找不到一个能够向我提供足够照顾的配偶。”
“把我带走吧，”风筝说，“你会得到有爱的家庭。”
THE EAGLE AND THE KITE
An Eagle sat high in the branches of a great Oak. She seemed very sad and drooping for an Eagle. A Kite saw her. Why do you look so woebegone? asked the Kite. I want to get married, replied the Eagle, and I can’t find a mate who can provide for me as I should like. Take me, said the Kite; I am very strong, stronger even than you! Do you really think you can provide for me? asked the Eagle eagerly. Why, of course, replied the Kite. That would be a very simple matter. I am so strong I can carry away an Ostrich in my talons as if it were a feather! The Eagle accepted the Kite immediately. But after the wedding, when the Kite flew away to find something to eat for his bride, all he had when he returned, was a tiny Mouse. Is that the Ostrich you talked about? said the Eagle in disgust. To win you I would have said and promised anything, replied the Kite.
11.215. 动物和瘟疫#
从前，动物们正遭受严重的瘟疫。许多动物死去了，而那些活下来的动物也太病了，什么也不想吃也不想喝，只是慢慢地爬来爬去。大狐狸再也不会被一只肥美的小母鸡诱惑到餐桌上了，可口的小羊也不会再勾起狼先生的食欲了。最终，狮子决定召集一次会议。当所有的动物都聚集在一起时，狮子向他们发出了警告：不要追逐，吃，或杀害任何一种动物。
THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE
Once upon a time a severe plague raged among the animals. Many died, and those who lived were so ill, that they cared for neither food nor drink, and dragged themselves about listlessly. No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to dinner, nor a tender lamb rouse greedy Sir Wolf’s appetite. At last the Lion decided to call a council. When all the animals were gathered together he arose and said: Dear friends, I believe the gods have sent this plague upon us as a punishment for our sins. Therefore, the most guilty one of us must be offered in sacrifice. Perhaps we may thus obtain forgiveness and cure for all. I will confess all my sins first. I admit that I have been very greedy and have devoured many sheep. They had done me no harm. I have eaten goats and bulls and stags. To tell the truth, I even ate up a shepherd now and then. Now, if I am the most guilty, I am ready to be sacrificed. But I think it best that each one confess his sins as I have done. Then we can decide in all justice who is the most guilty. Your majesty, said the Fox, you are too good. Can it be a crime to eat sheep, such stupid mutton heads? No, no, your majesty. You have done them great honor by eating them up. And so far as shepherds are concerned, we all know they belong to that puny race that pretends to be our masters. All the animals applauded the Fox loudly. Then, though the Tiger, the Bear, the Wolf, and all the savage beasts recited the most wicked deeds, all were excused and made to appear very saint-like and innocent. It was now the Ass’s turn to confess. I remember, he said guiltily, that one day as I was passing a field belonging to some priests, I was so tempted by the tender grass and my hunger, that I could not resist nibbling a bit of it. I had no right to do it, I admit- A great uproar among the beasts interrupted him. Here was the culprit who had brought misfortune on all of them! What a horrible crime it was to eat grass that belonged to someone else! It was enough to hang anyone for, much more an Ass. Immediately they all fell upon him, the Wolf in the lead, and soon had made an end to him, sacrificing him to the gods then and there, and without the formality of an altar.
Moral
The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful.
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11.216. 牧羊人与狮子#
一天，一个牧羊人在数他的羊群时发现有一些羊群丢失了。非常恼怒，他大声夸耀着宣称他将抓住窃贼，并以应有的方式惩罚他。牧羊人怀疑狼犯下了此案，于是前往山间一片岩石地带，那里有被狼害滋生的洞穴。但在出发之前，他向朱庇特发誓，如果他能帮助他找到失踪的羊群，他将把它们全部献给他，永远归属朱庇特。
THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION
A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a number of them were missing. Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The Shepherd suspected a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region among the hills, where there were caves infested by Wolves. But before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a sacrifice. The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves, but just as he was passing near a large cave on the mountain side, a huge Lion stalked out, carrying a Sheep. In great terror the Shepherd fell on his knees. Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find the thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a full-grown Bull, if you but make the thief go away!
Moral
We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have found it.
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11.217. 长兔短乌龟#
花栗鼠有一天取笑乌龟走得太慢，你到哪里去了吗？他嘲弄地笑道。乌龟回答说：我到了那里，只不过比你想象的要快。我们来一场比赛，我来证明一下。花栗鼠对和乌龟赛跑这个想法很有趣，就玩笑着答应了。于是，狐狸（他同意充当裁判）把赛跑的距离划清楚，乌龟和花栗鼠站在起点，开始了他们的比赛。
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow. Do you ever get anywhere? he asked with a mocking laugh. Yes, replied the Tortoise, and I get there sooner than you think. I’ll run you a race and prove it. The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off. The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up. The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
11.218. 蜜蜂和黄蜂，还有大黄蜂#
一个蜂房被发现在一棵空心树上，马蜂断然声称这属于他们。蜜蜂也坚信这是他们的宝藏。争论变得很尖锐，看起来似乎只有经过战斗才能解决此事，最后，他们凭借大量的理智，同意让一位法官来裁决。于是他们将此案提交给森林中的黄蜂，这里的和平法官。当法官最终裁决，让双方吵架的双方都满意的时候，该故事表明了，通过理智协商，双方可以解决矛盾，而不必依赖于暴力和战斗。
THE BEES AND WASPS, AND THE HORNET
A store of honey had been found in a hollow tree, and the Wasps declared positively that it belonged to them. The Bees were just as sure that the treasure was theirs. The argument grew very pointed, and it looked as if the affair could not be settled without a battle, when at last, with much good sense, they agreed to let a judge decide the matter. So they brought the case before the Hornet, justice of the peace in that part of the woods. When the Judge called the case, witnesses declared that they had seen certain winged creatures in the neighborhood of the hollow tree, who hummed loudly, and whose bodies were striped, yellow and black, like Bees. Counsel for the Wasps immediately insisted that this description fitted his clients exactly. Such evidence did not help Judge Hornet to any decision, so he adjourned court for six weeks to give him time to think it over. When the case came up again, both sides had a large number of witnesses. An Ant was first to take the stand, and was about to be cross-examined, when a wise old Bee addressed the Court. Your honor, he said, the case has now been pending for six weeks. If it is not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for anything. I move that the Bees and the Wasps be both instructed to build a honey comb. Then we shall soon see to whom the honey really belongs. The Wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly understood why they did so: They knew they could not build a honey comb and fill it with honey. It is clear, said the Judge, who made the comb and who could not have made it. The honey belongs to the Bees.
11.219. 麻雀和她的幼崽#
一只云雀在一块新长的小麦田里建了窝。随着日子一天天过去，小麦茎也长高了，幼鸟也长得更有力气了。不久，到了一天，当成熟黄金般的谷物在微风中拂动时，农夫和他的儿子来到了那片田地。“这些小麦已经该收割了，”农夫说，“我们必须叫来邻居和朋友来帮忙收割。”
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES
A Lark made her nest in a field of young wheat. As the days passed, the wheat stalks grew tall and the young birds, too, grew in strength. Then one day, when the ripe golden grain waved in the breeze, the Farmer and his son came into the field. This wheat is now ready for reaping, said the Farmer. We must call in our neighbors and friends to help us harvest it. The young Larks in their nest close by were much frightened, for they knew they would be in great danger if they did not leave the nest before the reapers came. When the Mother Lark returned with food for them, they told her what they had heard. Do not be frightened, children, said the Mother Lark. If the Farmer said he would call in his neighbors and friends to help him do his work, this wheat will not be reaped for a while yet. A few days later, the wheat was so ripe, that when the wind shook the stalks, a hail of wheat grains came rustling down on the young Larks’ heads. If this wheat is not harvested at once, said the Farmer, we shall lose half the crop. We cannot wait any longer for help from our friends. Tomorrow we must set to work, ourselves. When the young Larks told their mother what they had heard that day, she said: Then we must be off at once. When a man decides to do his own work and not depend on any one else, then you may be sure there will be no more delay. There was much fluttering and trying out of wings that afternoon, and at sunrise next day, when the Farmer and his son cut down the grain, they found an empty nest.
11.220. 蚂蚁和鸽子#
一只鸽子看到一只蚂蚁掉进了小溪。蚂蚁挣扎着，想要游到岸边，但它没有成功。可怜的鸽子就把一片稻草放到它身边。它像一位被困海难的水手抓住了破船的碎桅杆一样，紧紧地抓着那片稻草游到岸边。不久，蚂蚁看到一个人准备用石头去砸死鸽子，但就在这时，人们看到了鸽子用稻草救蚂蚁的技巧，他们有活下来的希望。
THE ANT AND THE DOVE
A Dove saw an Ant fall into a brook. The Ant struggled in vain to reach the bank, and in pity, the Dove dropped a blade of straw close beside it. Clinging to the straw like a shipwrecked sailor to a broken spar, the Ant floated safely to shore. Soon after, the Ant saw a man getting ready to kill the Dove with a stone. But just as he cast the stone, the Ant stung him in the heel, so that the pain made him miss his aim, and the startled Dove flew to safety in a distant wood.
11.221. 那人和萨蒂尔#
很久以前，一个人在森林里遇到一只萨特尔，成功地和它成为了朋友。两个人很快就成了最好的伙伴，一起住在那个人的小屋里。但有一个寒冷的冬夜，当他们回家的时候，萨特尔看到人吹着手指。你为什么要这么做？萨特尔问道。要把手暖暖的，那个人回答说。当他们回到家里，他们点燃了一把火，手暖暖了。
THE MAN AND THE SATYR
A long time ago a Man met a Satyr in the forest and succeeded in making friends with him. The two soon became the best of comrades, living together in the Man’s hut. But one cold winter evening, as they were walking homeward, the Satyr saw the Man blow on his fingers. Why do you do that? asked the Satyr. To warm my hands, the Man replied. When they reached home the Man prepared two bowls of porridge. These he placed steaming hot on the table, and the comrades sat down very cheerfully to enjoy the meal. But much to the Satyr’s surprise, the Man began to blow into his bowl of porridge. Why do you do that? he asked. To cool my porridge, replied the Man. The Satyr sprang hurriedly to his feet and made for the door. Goodby, he said, I’ve seen enough. A fellow that blows hot and cold in the same breath cannot be friends with me!
Moral
The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either.
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11.222. 燕子和乌鸦#
一天，燕子和乌鸦就羽毛问题争论不休。燕子说：看看我发亮柔软的羽毛，你那硬挺的羽枝可不值一提，你怎么不改善衣着呢？稍稍有点自尊吧！乌鸦回答说：春天可能我的羽毛很好，但我记得你冬天从不出现，而那时候正是我最快乐的季节。
THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW
The Swallow and the Crow had an argument one day about their plumage. Said the Swallow: Just look at my bright and downy feathers. Your black stiff quills are not worth having. Why don’t you dress better? Show a little pride! Your feathers may do very well in spring, replied the Crow, but I don’t remember ever having seen you around in winter, and that’s when I enjoy myself most.
Moral
Friends in fine weather only, are not worth much.
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11.223. 狮子般的份额#
很久以前，狮子，狐狸，豺狼和狼同意一起去打猎，将发现的东西共享。有一天，狼追上了一头大鹿，立刻叫来其他伙伴分享损失。狮子没有被问及，就自告奋勇地站在盛宴之上来做切肉工作，显示出极大的公正，并开始数客人的数目。“一，”他用爪子数起来，“那就是我狮子。二，那就是你狐狸。三，那就是你豺狼。四，那就是你狼。”
THE LION’S SHARE
A long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing with each other whatever they found. One day the Wolf ran down a Stag and immediately called his comrades to divide the spoil. Without being asked, the Lion placed himself at the head of the feast to do the carving, and, with a great show of fairness, began to count the guests. One, he said, counting on his claws, that is myself the Lion. Two, that’s the Wolf, three, is the Jackal, and the Fox makes four. He then very carefully divided the Stag into four equal parts. I am King Lion, he said, when he had finished, so of course I get the first part. This next part falls to me because I am the strongest; and this is mine because I am the bravest. He now began to glare at the others very savagely. If any of you have any claim to the part that is left, he growled, stretching his claws meaningly, now is the time to speak up.
11.224. 象鼻和他妈妈#
一只小鼹鼠曾经对他妈妈说: 妈妈，为什么你说我是瞎子？可我肯定我能看见！鼹鼠妈妈看出她必须剥夺他这种自大的想法。所以她把一点乳香放在他面前，问他它是什么？小鼹鼠凑近看了看。哦，那是一块石头！嗯，儿子，这证明你既失去了嗅觉也失明了。
THE MOLE AND HIS MOTHER
A little Mole once said to his Mother: Why, Mother, you said I was blind! But I am sure I can see! Mother Mole saw she would have to get such conceit out of his head. So she put a bit of frankincense before him and asked him to tell what it was. The little Mole peered at it. Why, that’s a pebble! Well, my son, that proves you’ve lost your sense of smell as well as being blind.
Moral
Boast of one thing and you will be found lacking in that and a few other things as well.
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11.225. 北风与太阳#
北风和太阳争论哪个比较强大。当他们气势汹汹地争吵时，一个披着斗篷的旅行者从路上走过。太阳说：让我们同意，能把旅行者的斗篷脱下来的才是最强壮的。北风怒吼着答应了，立刻吹出一阵冷风咆哮，吹向旅行者。风一吹，斗篷的两头就绕着旅行者的身体打转。但是他笑容满面，毫无受伤之虞。太阳笑起来：旅行者更胜一筹，因为他把你的风运用得淋漓尽致，让自己受益匪浅。
THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN
The North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat and bluster, a Traveler passed along the road wrapped in a cloak. Let us agree, said the Sun, that he is the stronger who can strip that Traveler of his cloak. Very well, growled the North Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the Traveler. With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped about the Traveler’s body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain. Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun’s rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by the roadside.
Moral
Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and bluster fail.
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11.226. 兔子和他的耳朵#
有一头狮子在吃山羊的时候，被羊角给伤的很重。它一想到自己在享用猎物的时候，会被它们那危险的角给厚颜无耻地刮伤，就非常气愤。于是，它下令所有带有角的动物必须在24小时内离开自己的领地。这个命令让动物们深感恐惧。所有长有角的动物都只好收拾行囊、搬离家园。甚至那没有角、根本无需担心的野兔，那个夜晚也是睡不安慰，因为那可怕的狮子总是出现在它的梦里。当它从窝里爬出来的时候，正值晨光初露，而它投射在地上的影子有着又长又尖的耳朵，这令它恐惧不已。“再见了，蛐蛐邻居，”它惊叫道。“我也要走了。不过我说什么，那头狮子都会认为我的耳朵就跟羊角一样。”
THE HARE AND HIS EARS
The Lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a Goat, which he was eating. He was very angry to think that any animal that he chose for a meal, should be so brazen as to wear such dangerous things as horns to scratch him while he ate. So he commanded that all animals with horns should leave his domains within twenty-four hours. The command struck terror among the beasts. All those who were so unfortunate as to have horns, began to pack up and move out. Even the Hare, who, as you know, has no horns and so had nothing to fear, passed a very restless night, dreaming awful dreams about the fearful Lion. And when he came out of the warren in the early morning sunshine, and there saw the shadow cast by his long and pointed ears, a terrible fright seized him. Goodby, neighbor Cricket, he called. I’m off. He will certainly make out that my ears are horns, no matter what I say.
Moral
Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you.
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11.227. 渔夫与小鱼#
一位贫穷的渔夫，靠捕鱼为生，有一天遇到倒霉，只捕到一条非常小的鱼。渔夫正要将它放入篮子时，小鱼说：”渔夫先生，请放过我吧！我太小了，把我带回家也没有价值。等我长大了，会给你更好的美餐。”但是渔夫迅速把小鱼放进篮子里。他说：“我要是扔掉你，怎么知道你未来会给我带来多少福利呢？”
THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH
A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had bad luck one day and caught nothing but a very small fry. The Fisherman was about to put it in his basket when the little Fish said: Please spare me, Mr. Fisherman! I am so small it is not worth while to carry me home. When I am bigger, I shall make you a much better meal. But the Fisherman quickly put the fish into his basket. How foolish I should be, he said, to throw you back. However small you may be, you are better than nothing at all.
Moral
A small gain is worth more than a large promise.
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11.228. 斗鸡和老鹰#
从前有两只公鸡生活在同一个谷仓里，互相看不惯对方。最后，有一天它们飞到上面去打架，用喙和爪子。它们打到一只被打败，爬到角落躲起来。打胜仗的公鸡飞到母鸡窝的顶部，自鸣得意，把自己的胜利向全世界宣布。可是，一只在头顶盘旋着的老鹰，听到这只夸夸其谈的公鸡，立即把它抓住吃掉了。
THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE
Once there were two Cocks living in the same farmyard who could not bear the sight of each other. At last one day they flew up to fight it out, beak and claw. They fought until one of them was beaten and crawled off to a corner to hide. The Cock that had won the battle flew to the top of the hen-house, and, proudly flapping his wings, crowed with all his might to tell the world about his victory. But an Eagle, circling overhead, heard the boasting chanticleer and, swooping down, carried him off to his nest. His rival saw the deed, and coming out of his corner, took his place as master of the farmyard.