3. 狗篇#
3.1. 恶狗#
从前，有一条狗经常无缘无故地抓人、咬人，去他主人家做客的每个人都很讨厌他。主人在他的脖子上系了一个铃铛，以此提醒人们提防他的出现。这条狗对脖子上戴着的铃铛引以为傲，大摇大摆地戴着它走来走去，十分满意这种叮当声。但是，一条老狗却走过来对他说：“我的朋友，姿态越低，对你越好。你不会真的以为这个铃铛是对你的奖赏吧？事实恰恰相反，它是耻辱的标志呀。”
THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
There was once a Dog who used to snap at people and bite them without any provocation, and who was a great nuisance to every one who came to his master’s house. So his master fastened a bell round his neck to warn people of his presence. The Dog was very proud of the bell, and strutted about tinkling it with immense satisfaction. But an old dog came up to him and said, “The fewer airs you give yourself the better, my friend. You don’t think, do you, that your bell was given you as a reward of merit? On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.”
3.2. 狗和母猪#
狗和母猪争辩，都说自己的孩子更加出色。”嗯，”母猪最后说，“至少我的孩子一生下来就能看见东西，你的孩子生下来却是个瞎子。”
THE DOG AND THE SOW
A Dog and a Sow were arguing and each claimed that its own young ones were finer than those of any other animal. “Well,” said the Sow at last, “mine can see, at any rate, when they come into the world: but yours are born blind.”
3.3. 驴和哈巴狗#
有人养了一头驴和一只哈巴狗。驴被圈养在棚子里，虽然不愁温饱，有着足够的燕麦和干草供应，却每天都要尽驴子应尽的本分。小狗颇会讨好它的主人，而主人则经常抚摸它，让它坐在自己的膝盖上。假如主人出外吃饭，还会想着带一点好吃的回来，等见到小狗时给它作为奖励。驴子的确是工作繁重，他不仅要到磨坊里拉磨，还要去树林里驮木材。与哈巴狗的悠闲自在相比，驴子难免会心生嫉妒，怀有怨言。有一天，机会终于来了，驴子挣断缰绳，跑进主人的房间，模仿哈巴狗的样子围着主人跳舞，又蹦又踢，不仅撞翻了桌子，还把碗碟摔得粉碎。不仅如此，驴子甚至还试图跳到主人的膝盖上，因为他经常看到小狗如此。仆人们见此情景，都吓坏了，以为主人面临着危险，于是用棍棒把驴子赶回棚里，打了个半死。”唉！”他哭喊着，“我这不是自作自受吗，我为什么不满足于自己的现状和地位，偏要去模仿小哈巴狗那无用、滑稽的小丑样呢？”
THE ASS AND THE LAP-DOG
There was once a man who had an Ass and a Lap-dog. The Ass was housed in the stable with plenty of oats and hay to eat and was as well off as an ass could be. The little Dog was made a great pet of by his master, who fondled him and often let him lie in his lap; and if he went out to dinner, he would bring back a tit? bit or two to give him when he ran to meet him on his return. The Ass had, it is true, a good deal of work to do, carting or grinding the corn, or carrying the burdens of the farm: and ere long he became very jealous, contrasting his own life of labor with the ease and idleness of the Lap-dog. At last one day he broke his halter, and frisking into the house just as his master sat down to dinner, he pranced and capered about, mimicking the frolics of the little favorite, upsetting the table and smashing the crockery with his clumsy efforts. Not content with that, he even tried to jump on his master’s lap, as he had so often seen the dog allowed to do. At that the servants, seeing the danger their master was in, belabored the silly Ass with sticks and cudgels, and drove him back to his stable half dead with his beating. “Alas!” he cried, “all this I have brought on myself. Why could I not be satisfied with my natural and honorable position, without wishing to imitate the ridiculous antics of that useless little Lap-dog?”
Moral
It is wise to be content with one’s station in life and avoid foolishly attempting to emulate others.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.4. 狗和厨师#
有一次，一个富翁设宴招待亲朋好友。这家的狗以为是个好机会，也高兴地跑去邀请自己的朋友——另一只狗，他跑过去对朋友说：”我的主人在摆宴席，那里肯定有很多好吃的，快来，和我一起去赴宴吧。”受邀的狗于是欣然前往，见到厨房里摆着如此丰盛的饭菜，他就自言自语道：”我太幸运了！这次一定要饱餐一顿，把明天和后天的饭都吃掉。”与此同时，他不停地摇着尾巴，告诉朋友多么高兴受到了他的邀请。就在这时，厨师看见了他，见到一条陌生的狗在厨房里让厨师很生气，于是马上抓住他的后腿，扔到了窗外。那条狗狠狠地摔了一跤，赶紧鬼哭狼嚎般地落荒而逃。在路上遇见的其它几条狗都问他：”你参加的宴会怎么样呀？”他竟然回答道：“我很好，那酒实在太好喝了，我已经醉了，完全不记得如何回家了！”
THE DOG AND THE COOK
A rich man once invited a number of his friends and acquaintances to a banquet. His dog thought it would be a good opportunity to invite another Dog, a friend of his; so he went to him and said, “My master is giving a feast: there’ll be a fine spread, so come and dine with me to-night.” The Dog thus invited came, and when he saw the preparations being made in the kitchen he said to himself, “My word, I’m in luck: I’ll take care to eat enough to-night to last me two or three days.” At the same time he wagged his tail briskly, by way of showing his friend how delighted he was to have been asked. But just then the Cook caught sight of him, and, in his annoyance at seeing a strange Dog in the kitchen, caught him up by the hind legs and threw him out of the window. He had a nasty fall, and limped away as quickly as he could, howling dismally. Presently some other dogs met him, and said, “Well, what sort of a dinner did you get?” To which he replied, “I had a splendid time: the wine was so good, and I drank so much of it, that I really don’t remember how I got out of the house!”
Moral
Be shy of favours bestowed at the expense of others.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.5. 狗占牛槽#
一条狗躺在牛吃草的饲料槽中，而狗身下的草正是为牛准备的食料。当牛向着牛槽走过去，准备吃草时，狗不仅冲着他们大吼大叫，而且还抓咬他们，不让牛吃干草。”这条狗太自私了！”其中一头牛对同伴说，“他自己不能吃干草，还不让能吃的去吃。”
THE DOG IN THE MANGER
A Dog was lying in a Manger on the hay which had been put there for the cattle, and when they came and tried to eat, he growled and snapped at them and wouldn’t let them get at their food. “What a selfish beast,” said one of them to his companions; “he can’t eat himself and yet he won’t let those eat who can.”
Moral
Don’t be selfish with resources that could benefit others.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.6. 旅人和他的狗#
有一个人正准备踏上一段旅途，于是对正在门口站着打呵欠的狗说：”你还站在那里打什么呵欠呀？快点过来，一切都准备好了，就差你跟我走了！”但是，狗却摇着尾巴，静静地回答说：“我早就准备好了，倒是一直在等你呢。”
THE TRAVELLER AND HIS DOG
A Traveller was about to start on a journey, and said to his Dog, who was stretching himself by the door, “Come, what are you yawning for? Hurry up and get ready: I mean you to go with me.” But the Dog merely wagged his tail and said quietly, “I’m ready, master: it’s you I’m waiting for.”
Moral
Always be ready to follow the lead of those you trust.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.7. 铁匠与小狗#
铁匠家有一条小狗，小狗常常在主人打铁时睡觉，但是一到了吃饭时间，便异常清醒起来。有一天，铁匠假装对此很生气，一边像往常一样扔给小狗一块骨头，一边说：“地球上还有像你一样懒惰的坏蛋吗？你这家伙，总是在我卖力工作时，蜷缩起来睡觉，可是，只要我一停下来吃点东西，你就清醒地摇着尾巴过来讨饭吃。”
THE BLACKSMITH AND HIS DOG
A Blacksmith had a little Dog, which used to sleep when his master was at work, but was very wide awake indeed when it was time for meals. One day his master pretended to be disgusted at this, and when he had thrown him a bone as usual, he said, “What on earth is the good of a lazy cur like you? When I am hammering away at my anvil, you just curl up and go to sleep: but no sooner do I stop for a mouthful of food than you wake up and wag your tail to be fed.”
3.8. 叼着肉的狗#
一条狗嘴里叼着一块肉，在穿过小河上的一个木板桥时，碰巧看见了水中自己的倒影。他以为是另一条狗叼着一块更大的肉，于是，他扑到水中，想去抢另一条狗嘴里那块更大的肉。然而，他最终什么也没有得到。因为水中那块肉本来就只是个影子，而原来的那块肉也被河水冲走了。
THE DOG AND THE SHADOW
A Dog was crossing a plank bridge over a stream with a piece of meat in his mouth, when he happened to see his own reflection in the water. He thought it was another dog with a piece of meat twice as big; so he let go his own, and flew at the other dog to get the larger piece. But, of course, all that happened was that he got neither; for one was only a shadow, and the other was carried away by the current.
Moral
It is better to be content with what you have than to risk it all for something that may not be real.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.9. 老猎狗#
一条老猎狗已经尽心尽力为主人服务了很多年，现在已经衰老了，也失去了年轻力壮时的力气和速度。有一天，当他们出去狩猎时，主人盯上了一头野猪，让老猎狗扑上去咬他。老猎狗咬住了野猪的耳朵，可是由于他的牙齿已经脱落，根本无法牢牢地咬住野猪，于是，野猪侥幸逃跑了。主人严厉地痛骂了他一顿，老猎狗打断主人的斥骂，说：“主人呀，我倒是也想像以前一样强壮，但我的身体已经衰老无力了。想一想从前我为你所付出的一切，你理应称赞我，而不应该责备我。”
THE OLD HOUND
A Hound who had served his master well for years, and had run down many a quarry in his time, began to lose his strength and speed owing to age. One day, when out hunting, his master started a powerful wild boar and set the Hound at him. The latter seized the beast by the ear, but his teeth were gone and he could not retain his hold; so the boar escaped. His master began to scold him severely, but the Hound interrupted him with these words: “My will is as strong as ever, master, but my body is old and feeble. You ought to honour me for what I have been instead of abusing me for what I am.”
Moral
Treat those who have served you loyally with kindness and respect, even if they cannot continue to be as useful as they once were.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.10. 猎狗和野兔#
一只小猎狗去抓一只野兔，就在抓兔子的过程中，猎狗一会儿用牙咬他，仿佛要咬死他；一会儿又让他挣脱出去，在周围乱蹦乱跳，仿佛在和另一只狗玩耍。最后，野兔对猎狗说：“我希望你能表现出你的真实面目来！如果你是我的朋友，为什么要咬我？如果你是我的敌人，为什么还跟我玩？”
THE HOUND AND THE HARE
A young Hound started a Hare, and, when he caught her up, would at one moment snap at her with his teeth as though he were about to kill her, while at another he would let go his hold and frisk about her, as if he were playing with another dog. At last the Hare said, “I wish you would show yourself in your true colours! If you are my friend, why do you bite me? If you are my enemy, why do you play with me?”
3.11. 野兔和猎狗#
一条猎狗在追赶兔子，从兔窝边一直追出去好远。眼看着要追上兔子时，猎狗却放弃了。一个农民关注了整个过程，在路上遇见往回走的猎狗时，讥笑它是个失败者。”那个小家伙可比你强多了，”农民说。”噢，是吗？”猎狗说，“不要忘了，一个是仅为一顿饭在跑，而另一个则是为了一条命在跑。”
THE HARE AND THE HOUND
A Hound started a Hare from her form, and pursued her for some distance; but as she gradually gained upon him, he gave up the chase. A rustic who had seen the race met the Hound as he was returning, and taunted him with his defeat. “The little one was too much for you,” said he. “Ah, well,” said the Hound, “don’t forget it’s one thing to be running for your dinner, but quite another to be running for your life.”
Moral
Never put yourself in harm’s way for material gain – it is better to focus on preserving your safety and wellbeing.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.12. 驴和狗#
一头驴和一只狗一起外出旅行，走了一段路后，他们发现地上有一封密封好的信。驴捡起来，撕开封印，发现上面有写好的字，便大声读给狗听。可是，信里提到的几乎全是干草、大麦和糠麸之类驴喜欢的东西。听到这些内容，狗觉着很无聊，终于不耐烦地对驴喊道：”赶紧跳过这些内容，朋友，看看下面有没有提到肉和骨头之类的。”驴浏览了一下信的全部内容，没有发现任何狗所想要的东西，就如实说了。然后，狗就带着厌恶的表情说：“把它扔了吧，朋友，这封信有什么意思呀？”
THE ASS AND THE DOG
An Ass and a Dog were on their travels together, and, as they went along, they found a sealed packet lying on the ground. The Ass picked it up, broke the seal, and found it contained some writing, which he proceeded to read out aloud to the Dog. As he read on it turned out to be all about grass and barley and hay—in short, all the kinds of fodder that Asses are fond of. The Dog was a good deal bored with listening to all this, till at last his impatience got the better of him, and he cried, “Just skip a few pages, friend, and see if there isn’t something about meat and bones.” The Ass glanced all through the packet, but found nothing of the sort, and said so. Then the Dog said in disgust, “Oh, throw it away, do: what’s the good of a thing like that?”
Moral
The moral of this story is that sometimes what we think is important can be insignificant to others. We should not make assumptions about what someone else might or might not value.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.13. 羊群和狗#
从前，有一群羊向牧羊人抱怨自己和狗受到了差别待遇。”你的行为很奇怪，”羊群说，”我们认为非常不公平。我们为您提供羊毛、羔羊肉和羊奶，你却只给我们吃草，甚至于我们还要自己去找草吃。你从狗那里什么也没得到，可你却从自己的餐桌上拿些精美的食物喂他。”狗听到了他们的言论，立刻开口说：”是的，的确如此。要不是有我在，你们会在哪里呢？小偷早就偷走你们了！狼也会吃掉你们！其实，如果没有我守护着你们，你们可能连吃草都吓得不敢去！”羊群不得不承认他说的有道理，便不再提受到主人差别待遇的意见了。
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG
Once upon a time the Sheep complained to the shepherd about the difference in his treatment of themselves and his Dog. “Your conduct,” said they, “is very strange and, we think, very unfair. We provide you with wool and lambs and milk and you give us nothing but grass, and even that we have to find for ourselves: but you get nothing at all from the Dog, and yet you feed him with tit-bits from your own table.” Their remarks were overheard by the Dog, who spoke up at once and said, “Yes, and quite right, too: where would you be if it wasn’t for me? Thieves would steal you! Wolves would eat you! Indeed, if I didn’t keep constant watch over you, you would be too terrified even to graze!” The Sheep were obliged to acknowledge that he spoke the truth, and never again made a grievance of the regard in which he was held by his master.
Moral
Moral of the story: Appreciate those who protect you and look out for you.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.14. 花匠和他的狗#
花匠的狗掉进了一口深井里，井旁边有绳子和桶，是花匠经常用来打水去浇花的工具，可无论用什么办法，他也没能把狗捞上来。于是，为了救小狗，花匠自己跳进了井中。可是，狗却以为主人下来是要淹死它。所以，当花匠靠近狗时，狗立刻狠狠地咬了他一口。花匠着实受了重伤，决定让狗自生自灭，不再管它了。花匠一边往上爬，一边说：“我真是活该！为什么要去救一个想要寻死的畜生呢？”
THE GARDENER AND HIS DOG
A Gardner’s Dog fell into a deep well, from which his master used to draw water for the plants in his garden with a rope and a bucket. Failing to get the Dog out by means of these, the Gardener went down into the well himself in order to fetch him up. But the Dog thought he had come to make sure of drowning him; so he bit his master as soon as he came within reach, and hurt him a good deal, with the result that he left the Dog to his fate and climbed out of the well, remarking, “It serves me quite right for trying to save so determined a suicide.”
Moral
The moral of this story is that one should be careful not to misinterpret another’s intentions, as our assumptions can lead to hurtful results.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.15. 人、马、牛、狗#
冬日里的一天，一场强烈风暴过后，马、牛、狗纷纷来到人居住的房子里，乞求得到庇护。人爽快地接纳了他们。因为他们又湿又冷，人便生火取暖，让他们舒服一些。不仅如此，人还把燕麦放到马的面前，把干草放到牛的面前，把自己吃剩的饭放在狗的面前。风暴减弱后，他们准备离开人的房子，决定以某种方式来表示自己的感激之情。他们将人的一生分成几个阶段，然后在每个阶段分别赋予自己的某种特殊品质。马取走了年轻阶段，因此，年轻人奋发向上但不受约束；牛取走了中年阶段，因此，中年人踏实稳定且埋头苦干；而狗则接受了老年阶段，这正是老年人经常脾气暴躁的原因之一，他们也像狗那样，主要依赖那些能给他们带来温暖和舒适的人，而厉声呵斥那些陌生或令其不悦的人。
寓意
本文传达的寓意是: 人类应该学会像接纳动物一样，遇到任何困难时，都应该有一颗热忱的心，以及善待他人的意愿，不断努力提升自己，在不同阶段赋予自己特殊品质，享受生活中的每一个瞬间，乐于施舍和互助，一起走遍每一个漫长而又不可替代的人生阶段。
👇 听寓言故事
THE MAN, THE HORSE, THE OX, AND THE DOG
One winter’s day, during a severe storm, a Horse, an Ox, and a Dog came and begged for shelter in the house of a Man. He readily admitted them, and, as they were cold and wet, he lit a fire for their comfort: and he put oats before the Horse, and hay before the Ox, while he fed the Dog with the remains of his own dinner. When the storm abated, and they were about to depart, they determined to show their gratitude in the following way. They divided the life of Man among them, and each endowed one part of it with the qualities which were peculiarly his own. The Horse took youth, and hence young men are high-mettled and impatient of restraint; the Ox took middle age, and accordingly men in middle life are steady and hard-working; while the Dog took old age, which is the reason why old men are so often peevish and ill-tempered, and, like dogs, attached chiefly to those who look to their comfort, while they are disposed to snap at those who are unfamiliar or distasteful to them.
Moral
The moral of this story is that we can learn from others and that all ages have their own unique qualities and strengths. We should never underestimate the value of sharing experiences and being kind to one another, no matter what age or stage of life we are in.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.16. 狗和牛皮#
从前，有几条饥肠辘辘的狗，看见河里浸泡着一张牛皮，但是由于水太深，他们无法拿到那张皮。于是，他们合计着喝掉河里的水，这样就可以趁水浅一些时，过去拿那张牛皮了。然而，还没等到去拿兽皮，他们的肚皮早已被河水胀破了。
THE DOGS AND THE HIDES
Once upon a time a number of Dogs, who were famished with hunger, saw some Hides steeping in a river, but couldn’t get at them because the water was too deep. So they put their heads together, and decided to drink away at the river till it was shallow enough for them to reach the Hides. But long before that happened they burst themselves with drinking.
Moral
The moral of the story is that it is important to consider the long-term consequences of our actions. Too much of anything, even something that may seem beneficial in the short-term, can lead to disastrous outcomes if we are not careful.
👇 Listen to this fable
3.17. 农场主和他的狗#
一个农夫因持续而来的风暴被困在自己的农场里，无法外出为自己和家人寻获食物。迫于无奈，他杀死了自己的绵羊来充饥。可是，风暴依然持续不停，继而又杀死山羊。最后，因为风暴丝毫没有减弱的意思，他又被迫杀死了自己的牛来填饱肚子。那些狗看到不同的动物依次被杀、被吃掉后，便相互诉说：“我们最好快点离开这里，不然就会成为下一个被杀的对象！”
THE FARMER AND HIS DOGS
A Farmer was snowed up in his farmstead by a severe storm, and was unable to go out and procure provisions for himself and his family. So he first killed his sheep and used them for food; then, as the storm still continued, he killed his goats; and, last of all, as the weather showed no signs of improving, he was compelled to kill his oxen and eat them. When his Dogs saw the various animals being killed and eaten in turn, they said to one another, “We had better get out of this or we shall be the next to go!”
Moral
The moral of this story is ‘look out for yourself and be prepared for the worst’.
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3.18. 狗和主人的晚餐#
一只狗学会每天把主人的晚餐拿给他。他很忠于他的职责，尽管篮子里美味的气息诱惑着他。附近的狗注意到他拿篮子，很快就发现里面有什么。它们试图从他手里抢了篮子，但他总是忠实地看守着。有一天，附近的狗聚在一起，把他拿着篮子拦住了。狗试图从它们身边逃跑，但他仍然小心翼翼地把篮子交给主人。
THE DOG AND HIS MASTER’S DINNER
A Dog had learned to carry his master’s dinner to him every day. He was very faithful to his duty, though the smell of the good things in the basket tempted him. The Dogs in the neighborhood noticed him carrying the basket and soon discovered what was in it. They made several attempts to steal it from him. But he always guarded it faithfully. Then one day all the Dogs in the neighborhood got together and met him on his way with the basket. The Dog tried to run away from them. But at last he stopped to argue. That was his mistake. They soon made him feel so ridiculous that he dropped the basket and seized a large piece of roast meat intended for his master’s dinner. Very well, he said, you divide the rest.
3.19. 狗和皮革#
一群饥饿的狗看到江底有很多的兽皮，这些皮由制革工放在里面浸泡。对于一只饥饿的狗来说，好的兽皮可以构成一顿美味的大餐，可是水太深了，狗们在岸上拿不到兽皮。于是它们开了会议，决定最好的办法就是喝掉这条河。 狗们都开始用力地舔着水，但是它们喝了又喝，整条河又没有变得比以前少。
THE DOGS AND THE HIDES
Some hungry Dogs saw a number of hides at the bottom of a stream where the Tanner had put them to soak. A fine hide makes an excellent meal for a hungry Dog, but the water was deep and the Dogs could not reach the hides from the bank. So they held a council and decided that the very best thing to do was to drink up the river. All fell to lapping up the water as fast as they could. But though they drank and drank until, one after another, all of them had burst with drinking, still, for all their effort, the water in the river remained as high as ever.
3.20. 狗坐在马槽#
一只狗睡在装满干草的马槽里，它被累坏了，口渴难耐的牛从外面的田里回来时叫醒了它。但是，狗不让他们接近马槽，咆哮着，像里面装满了最美味的肉骨头一样，全都给它自己。牛们用鄙夷的眼光看着狗。多自私啊！一只说。它自己一口也吃不到这些干草，却不肯让我们近前里去尝一尝。
THE DOG IN THE MANGER
A Dog asleep in a manger filled with hay, was awakened by the Cattle, which came in tired and hungry from working in the field. But the Dog would not let them get near the manger, and snarled and snapped as if it were filled with the best of meat and bones, all for himself. The Cattle looked at the Dog in disgust. How selfish he is! said one. He cannot eat the hay and yet he will not let us eat it who are so hungry for it! Now the farmer came in. When he saw how the Dog was acting, he seized a stick and drove him out of the stable with many a blow for his selfish behavior.
Moral
Do not grudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.
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3.21. 狗和牡蛎#
从前有一只狗，非常喜欢吃鸡蛋。他经常去鸡舍，最后变得非常贪婪，竟然把鸡蛋整个吞下去。有一天，狗去河边散步，发现了一只牡蛎。牡蛎很快就被狗吞下去了，甲壳也一起。大家可想象，狗受到了相当大的痛楚。“我发现所有圆形的东西并不都是鸡蛋，”他叹息着说。
THE DOG AND THE OYSTER
There was once a Dog who was very fond of eggs. He visited the hen house very often and at last got so greedy that he would swallow the eggs whole. One day the Dog wandered down to the seashore, There he spied an Oyster. In a twinkling the Oyster was resting in the Dog’s stomach, shell and all. It pained the Dog a good deal, as you can guess. I’ve learned that all round things are not eggs, he said groaning.
Moral
Act in haste and repent at leisure - and often in pain.
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3.22. 母驴和哈巴狗#
从前有一头驴，它的主人也养了一只小狗。小狗是它主人最喜欢的宠物，每天都会受到主人的拥抱和温柔的问候，嘴里还满是从主人盘子里挑出来的佳肴。每天小狗都会兴高采烈地跑过去迎接主人，蹦蹦跳跳地转来转去，还会跳起来舔舔主人的手和脸。驴看到这一切都很不爽。
THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG
There was once an Ass whose Master also owned a Lap Dog. This Dog was a favorite and received many a pat and kind word from his Master, as well as choice bits from his plate. Every day the Dog would run to meet the Master, frisking playfully about and leaping up to lick his hands and face. All this the Ass saw with much discontent. Though he was well fed, he had much work to do; besides, the Master hardly ever took any notice of him. Now the jealous Ass got it into his silly head that all he had to do to win his Master’s favor was to act like the Dog. So one day he left his stable and clattered eagerly into the house. Finding his Master seated at the dinner table, he kicked up his heels and, with a loud bray, pranced giddily around the table, upsetting it as he did so. Then he planted his forefeet on his Master’s knees and rolled out his tongue to lick the Master’s face, as he had seen the Dog do. But his weight upset the chair, and Ass and man rolled over together in the pile of broken dishes from the table. The Master was much alarmed at the strange behavior of the Ass, and calling for help, soon attracted the attention of the servants. When they saw the danger the Master was in from the clumsy beast, they set upon the Ass and drove him with kicks and blows back to the stable. There they left him to mourn the foolishness that had brought him nothing but a sound beating.
Moral
Behavior that is regarded as agreeable in one is very rude and impertinent in another.
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3.23. 调皮的狗#
曾经有一只狗，他非常脾气暴躁、淘气，主人不得不在它的脖子上系上一块沉重的木拖链，以免它烦扰到顾客和邻居。但是狗似乎很骄傲的对着拖链嘎嘎作响，好像想引起大家的注意。但他却没能让人印象深刻。 一位熟人说道：“你要是拖着这拖链安静地躲起来就好了，你的行为只能把大家吓到，而不是让他们佩服。”
THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
There was once a Dog who was so ill-natured and mischievous that his Master had to fasten a heavy wooden clog about his neck to keep him from annoying visitors and neighbors. But the Dog seemed to be very proud of the clog and dragged it about noisily as if he wished to attract everybody’s attention. He was not able to impress anyone. You would be wiser, said an old acquaintance, to keep quietly out of sight with that clog. Do you want everybody to know what a disgraceful and ill-natured Dog you are?
3.24. 狗和它的倒影#
一只狗拿着一块骨头急切地回家，它是肉贩扔给它的。当它穿过一座狭窄的桥梁时，突然发现它自己的倒影在宁静的河水中，就像在镜子里一样。贪婪的狗以为它看到另一只狗拿着比它自己的骨头大得多。要是它停下来思考，它就会明白这个道理。但是它没有去思考，而是放弃了它的骨头，冲向河中去追那只幻影般的狗。
THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION
A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.