第三章

作者:(古希腊)伊索 | 字数:15062
  挥霍者和燕子

  TheSpendthriftandtheSwallow

  有一个年轻人,在很短的时间内就把祖辈留给他的东西都挥霍一空了,只剩下身上的一件外套。一天,他碰巧看到了一只提前从暖和的地方飞回的燕子,就误以为是春天到了,于是就把身上唯一的外衣也卖掉了。不久之后,气温骤然下降,冻得他无处躲藏,正好在路上看到冻死的燕子,便对他说道:“不幸的家伙!你为什么要提前回来呢?不仅害死了你自己,也把我连累了啊!”

  不要根据单一的现象就下结论。

  AYoungMan,agreatspendthrift,hadrunthroughallhispatrimonyandhadbutonegoodcloakleft.OnedayhehappenedtoseeaSwallow,whichhadappearedbeforeitsseason,skimmingalongapoolandtwitteringgaily.Hesupposedthatsummerhadcome,andwentandsoldhiscloak.Notmanydayslater,wintersetinagainwithrenewedfrostandcold.WhenhefoundtheunfortunateSwallowlifelessontheground,hesaid,“Unhappybird!whathaveyoudone?Bythusappearingbeforethespringtimeyouhavenotonlykilledyourself,butyouhavewroughtmydestructionalso.”

  Don’tdrawaconclusionbasedonasingleobservation.

  斗鸡和鹌鹑

  TheGamecocksandthePartridge

  一个人在自己家里养了两只斗鸡。一天,一个偶然的机会,这个人在市场上看到一只非常温顺的鹌鹑。他马上把鹌鹑买下来并带回家,和斗鸡养在一起。刚开始的时候,斗鸡经常和鹌鹑争斗,因此鹌鹑觉得非常委屈,认为自己是新来的所以才会遭受这样的待遇。不久之后,鹌鹑就发现这两只斗鸡经常彼此打斗,除非有一个受了重伤,否则他们是不会分开的。这时,他才恍然大悟:“我实在不应该为自己遭受攻击而压抑了,因为他们只是为争斗而奋斗。”

  有些人只是为了争吵而争吵。

  AManhadtwoGamecocksinhispoultry-yard.OnedaybychancehefoundatamePartridgeforsale.HepurchaseditandbroughtithometoberearedwithhisGamecocks.WhenthePartridgewasputintothepoultry-yard,theystruckatitandfolloweditabout,sothatthePartridgebecamegrievouslytroubledandsupposedthathewasthusevillytreatedbecausehewasastranger.NotlongafterwardshesawtheCocksfightingtogetherandnotseparatingbeforeonehadwellbeatentheother.Hethensaidtohimself,“IshallnolongerdistressmyselfatbeingstruckatbytheseGamecocks,whenIseethattheycannotevenrefrainfromquarrelingwitheachother.”

  Somepeoplequarreljustforsakeofquarrelling.

  画眉鸟和捕鸟人

  TheThrushandtheFowler

  一只画眉鸟在紫薇花树上吃东西,因为树上的浆果实在太美味了,因此久久不愿离开。一个捕鸟人在旁边观察了很久,于是抓住时机举起粘鸟竿一下子就把画眉鸟抓住了。临死的画眉鸟伤心地说道:“哦,我是多么愚蠢啊!竟然为了几个好吃的浆果而断送了自己的性命。”

  当人们意识到自己的失败时,才是他们最沮丧的时刻。

  AThrushwasfeedingonamyrtle-treeanddidnotmovefromitbecauseitsberriesweresodelicious.AFowlerobservedherstayingsolonginonespot,andhavingwellbird-limedhisreeds,caughther.TheThrush,beingatthepointofdeath,exclaimed,“OfoolishcreaturethatIam!ForthesakeofalittlepleasantfoodIhavedeprivedmyselfofmylife.”

  Menfeelworstwhentheycontributetotheirownundoing.

  百灵鸟和她的孩子们

  TheLarkandHerYoungOnes

  早春时节,百灵鸟带着她的孩子们在嫩绿色的麦田里安了家。夏天到了,小百灵鸟们的羽毛逐渐丰满了,力气也越来越大了。一天,麦田的主人来到田地里看到麦子已经成熟了,就说:“是时候收割麦子了,我回去请我的邻居和朋友来帮忙。”一只小百灵鸟听到农夫的话后,急忙回去告诉她妈妈,并寻问他们应该搬到什么地方去。百灵妈妈说:“孩子,咱们不用急着搬家。因为他并不是真的着急要收割,要不然不会只是想请他的朋友来帮忙的。”几天之后,农夫又来到田野里,看到麦子已经熟透了,这才真的着急了,说道:“明天我一定要帮工和所有可能雇到的人来收割。”百灵鸟听到这些话后,对她的孩子们说:“孩子们,现在是我们应该搬家的时候了,因为主人这一次是真的下决心要收割麦子了。他不再依靠别人的帮忙,要自己亲自动手干了。”

  自己是自己最好的帮手。

  ALarkhadmadehernestintheearlyspringontheyounggreenwheat.Thebroodhadalmostgrowntotheirfullstrengthandattainedtheuseoftheirwingsandthefullplumageoftheirfeathers,whentheownerofthefield,lookingoverhisripecrop,said,“ThetimehascomewhenImustaskallmyneighborstohelpmewithmyharvest.”OneoftheyoungLarksheardhisspeechandrelatedittohismother,inquiringofhertowhatplacetheyshouldmoveforsafety.“Thereisnooccasiontomoveyet,myson,”shereplied,“themanwhoonlysendstohisfriendstohelphimwithhisharvestisnotreallyinearnest.”

  Theownerofthefieldcameagainafewdayslaterandsawthewheatsheddingthegrainfromexcessofripeness.Hesaid,“Iwillcomemyselftomorrowwithmylaborers,andwithasmanyreapersasIcanhire,andwillgetintheharvest.”TheLarkonhearingthesewordssaidtoherbrood,“Itistimenowtobeoff,mylittleones,forthemanisinearnestthistime;henolongertrustshisfriends,butwillreapthefieldhimself.”

  Self-helpisthebesthelp.

  鹌鹑和捕鸟人

  ThePartridgeandtheFowler

  一个捕鸟人抓到一只鹌鹑,想要把他杀掉。鹌鹑苦苦哀求道:“主人,你就饶了我吧。作为回报,我会帮您捕到更多的鹌鹑。”捕鸟人回答说:“听了你的话,我可以毫无顾忌地取你的性命了,因为你不惜以同伴和朋友的性命来换取自己的自由。”

  背叛者是整个社会的蛀虫。

  AFowlercaughtaPartridgeandwasabouttokillit.ThePartridgeearnestlybeggedhimtosparehislife,saying,“Pray,master,permitmetoliveandIwillenticemanyPartridgestoyouinrecompenseforyourmercytome.”TheFowlerreplied,“Ishallnowwithlessscrupletakeyourlife,becauseyouarewillingtosaveitatthecostofbetrayingyourfriendsandrelations.”

  Atraitorunderminesthefoundationsofsociety.

  乌鸦和羊

  TheCrowandtheSheep

  一只讨厌的乌鸦赖在羊背上不走。羊非常不情愿地带着她走了很长一段路,实在忍受不住了,就对乌鸦说:“如果你站在狗背上,早就尝到锐利牙齿的厉害了。”乌鸦听了之后回答说:“我看不起弱者,屈从于强者。我知道应该奉承谁,可以欺负谁。这也正是我延长生命一直到老的手段。”

  学会选择你的敌人。

  AtroublesomeCrowseatedherselfonthebackofaSheep.TheSheep,muchagainsthiswill,carriedherbackwardandforwardforalongtime,andatlastsaid,“Ifyouhadtreatedadoginthisway,youwouldhavehadyourdesertsfromhissharpteeth.”TothistheCrowreplied,“Idespisetheweakandyieldtothestrong.IknowwhomImaybullyandwhomImustflatter;andIthusprolongmylifetoagoodoldage.”

  Pickyourenemies.

  猫头鹰和鸟

  TheOwlandtheBirds

  从前,有一只非常聪明的猫头鹰给了其他鸟儿很多建议。他要他们在栎树刚开始发芽的时候就要把它连根拔起,以免它继续生长,因为栎树会长出用来制造粘鸟胶(人们捕鸟的主要工具)的槲寄生。接着,猫头鹰又建议鸟们要把人们种植的亚麻种子拿走,因为这种植物对于鸟儿来说是不好的预兆。最后,猫头鹰看到一个弓箭手,就郑重其事地对鸟儿们说:“你们要千万小心这个人,因为他会发射带有羽毛的武器。这种武器飞行的速度比我们快多了。”可是,鸟儿们却对猫头鹰的警告毫不在意,认为他是疯了才会胡言乱语。

  但是不久之后,鸟儿就发现猫头鹰的话是正确的,因此他们一致认为猫头鹰在鸟类中最有知识和智慧,也是无所不知的。但是,猫头鹰没有再给他们任何建议,只是在哀悼他们的愚蠢。

  要毁灭掉邪恶的种子,否则它长大后将会后患无穷。

  AnOwl,inherwisdom,counseledtheBirdsthatwhentheacornfirstbegantosprout,topullitallupoutofthegroundandnotallowittogrow.Shesaidacornswouldproducemistletoe,fromwhichanirremediablepoison,thebird-lime,wouldbeextractedandbywhichtheywouldbecaptured.TheOwlnextadvisedthemtopluckuptheseedoftheflax,whichmenhadsown,asitwasaplantwhichbodednogoodtothem.And,lastly,theOwl,seeinganarcherapproach,predictedthatthisman,beingonfoot,wouldcontrivedartsarmedwithfeatherswhichwouldflyfasterthanthewingsoftheBirdsthemselves.TheBirdsgavenocredencetothesewarningwords,butconsideredtheOwltobebesideherselfandsaidthatshewasmad.

  Butafterwards,findingherwordsweretrue,theywonderedatherknowledgeanddeemedhertobethewisestofbirds.Henceitisthatwhensheappearstheylooktoherasknowingallthings,whileshenolongergivesthemadvice,butinsolitudelamentstheirpastfolly.

  Destroytheseedofevil,oritwillgrowuptoyourruin.

  熊Bear

  熊和狐狸

  TheBearandtheFox

  熊为自己的善心而自豪,并到处自吹自擂,说在所有动物中自己最热爱人类,因为他为了向人类表示尊敬,从不碰人的尸体。狐狸不以为然,笑着说道:“你还不如保全活人,而撕烂尸体呢。”

  判断一个人要看他的行为,并非语言。

  ABearboastedverymuchofhisphilanthropy,sayingthatofallanimalshewasthemosttenderinhisregardforman,forhehadsuchrespectforhimthathewouldnoteventouchhisdeadbody.AFoxhearingthesewordssaidwithasmiletotheBear,“Oh!thatyouwouldeatthedeadandnottheliving.”

  Oneisknownbydeeds,notbywords.

  熊和两个过路人

  TheBearandtheTwoTravelers

  两个好朋友结伴同行,忽然迎面遇上了一头熊。其中一个人飞快地爬上了树,并用树枝将自己掩藏起来。另一个人眼看自己逃脱不了,情急之下顺势往地上一躺。熊用鼻子把他从头到脚嗅了一遍。这人屏住呼吸,一动也不敢动,假装死人,因为据说熊是不吃死人的。果然,熊掉头走掉了。树上的人下来后问他的朋友:“熊在你耳边到底说了些什么?”对方回答说:“熊告诉我,以后别再和遇到危险只顾自己逃命的人同行了。”

  患难见真情。

  TwoMenweretravelingtogether,whenaBearsuddenlymetthemontheirpath.Oneofthemclimbedupquicklyintoatreeandconcealedhimselfinthebranches.Theother,seeingthathemustbeattacked,fellflatontheground,andwhentheBearcameupandfelthimwithhissnout,andsmelthimallover,heheldhisbreath,andfeignedtheappearanceofdeathasmuchashecould.TheBearsoonlefthim,foritissaidhewillnottouchadeadbody.Whenhewasquitegone,theotherTravelerdescendedfromthetree,andjocularlyinquiredofhisfriendwhatitwastheBearhadwhisperedinhisear.“Hegavemethisadvice,”hiscompanionreplied.“Nevertravelwithafriendwhodesertsyouattheapproachofdanger.”

  Misfortuneteststhesincerityoffriends.

  狮子、熊和狐狸

  TheLion,theBear,andtheFox

  狮子和熊同时抓住了一头小山羊,为了获得更多的食物,他们争斗得不可开交,直到彼此都精疲力竭地倒在地上。这时,已经在远处观察了许久的狐狸走了过来,看到狮子和熊并排地躺在地上,中间有一只山羊。于是,狐狸跃过他们,迅速地抓起山羊,拔腿就跑。狮子和熊只能眼睁睁地看着到手的食物被狐狸拿走,有气无力地嘀咕:“我们真是悲哀啊!没想到白白为狐狸辛苦了一场!”

  有时候自己辛苦一场,劳动果实却落到了别人的手里。

  ALionandaBearseizedaKidatthesamemoment,andfoughtfiercelyforitspossession.Whentheyhadfearfullylaceratedeachotherandwerefaintfromthelongcombat,theylaydownexhaustedwithfatigue.AFox,whohadgoneroundthematadistanceseveraltimes,sawthembothstretchedonthegroundwiththeKidlyinguntouchedinthemiddle.Heraninbetweenthem,andseizingtheKidscamperedoffasfastashecould.TheLionandtheBearsawhim,butnotbeingabletogetup,said,“Woebetous,thatweshouldhavefoughtandbelaboredourselvesonlytoservetheturnofaFox.”

  Itsometimeshappensthatonemanhasallthetoil,andanotheralltheprofit.

  老鹰Eagle

  老雕、鹞鹰和鸽子

  TheHawk,theKite,andthePigeons

  鸽子们非常害怕外表凶恶的鹞鹰,就向老雕寻求保护。老雕爽快地答应了。当鸽子们把老雕迎进门后,才明白他们这一次遭受的损失比鹞鹰一年带给他们的损失还要惨重。

  这则寓言告诉我们讳疾忌医的后果。

  ThePigeons,terrifiedbytheappearanceofaKite,calledupontheHawktodefendthem.Heatonceconsented.Whentheyhadadmittedhimintothecote,theyfoundthathemademorehavocandslewalargernumberoftheminonedaythantheKitecouldpounceuponinawholeyear.

  Avoidaremedythatisworsethanthedisease.

  乌龟和老鹰

  TheTortoiseandtheEagle

  一只乌龟在海边懒洋洋地晒太阳,并一直向海鸟抱怨自己命运的悲惨,因为没有谁能教她飞翔。这时,有一只老鹰在附近的天空盘旋,听到了乌龟的倾诉之后,就答应帮助她实现愿望,但是要求一定的回报。乌龟非常愉快地答应了,并允诺以红海中的一切财富作为报酬。于是老鹰用双爪把乌龟带到了空中,突然把她扔下,让她自己飞翔。结果,可怜的乌龟掉在石头上,落得粉身碎骨的下场。在临死之前,她后悔不已:我不应该存有奢望,我的生命中本不该有翅膀和云朵,我怎么可能离开地面呢?

  如果一个人实现了所有的愿望,那么被毁灭的时刻也快来临了。

  ATortoise,lazilybaskinginthesun,complainedtothesea-birdsofherhardfate,thatnoonewouldteachhertofly.AnEagle,hoveringnear,heardherlamentationanddemandedwhatrewardshewouldgivehimifhewouldtakeheraloftandfloatherintheair.“Iwillgiveyou,”shesaid,“alltherichesoftheRedSea.”“Iwillteachyoutoflythen,”saidtheEagle;andtakingherupinhistalonshecarriedheralmosttothecloudssuddenlyhelethergo,andshefellonaloftymountain,dashinghershelltopieces.TheTortoiseexclaimedinthemomentofdeath,“Ihavedeservedmypresentfate;forwhathadItodowithwingsandclouds,whocanwithdifficultymoveaboutontheearth?”

  Ifmenhadalltheywished,theywouldbeoftenruined.

  病重的鹞鹰

  TheSickKite

  鹞鹰病得很厉害,对他妈妈说:“噢,妈妈,请你不要再为我伤心了,你应该向上帝请求让我的生命更长一些才对!”妈妈回答说:“哎呀,我的孩子,你认为我应该向哪位天神祈祷呢?又有哪位天神桌上的供品没有被你偷拿过呢?”

  如果我们想在患难中得到朋友的帮助,就应该在自己发达的时候对朋友好。

  AKite,sickuntodeath,saidtohismother,“OMother!donotmourn,butatonceinvokethegodsthatmylifemaybeprolonged.”Shereplied,“Alas!myson,whichofthegodsdoyouthinkwillpityyou?Isthereonewhomyouhavenotoutragedbyfilchingfromtheirveryaltarsapartofthesacrificeoffereduptothem?”

  Wemustmakefriendsinprosperityifwewouldhavetheirhelpinadversity.

  老鹰和箭头

  TheEagleandtheArrow

  一只老鹰停留在一块突起的岩石上,专注地窥视着猎物——几只跑动的兔子。正要向他们扑过去的时候,冷不防,中了猎人一箭。锋利的箭头直扎入老鹰的身体,奄奄一息的老鹰瞥见了箭上带羽毛的一端。哀伤地说:“我现在感到加倍的疼痛,我竟然要死在带有自己羽毛的箭下。”

  人们通常自掘坟墓。

  AnEaglesatonaloftyrock,watchingthemovementsofaHarewhomhesoughttomakehisprey.Anarcher,whosawtheEaglefromaplaceofconcealment,tookanaccurateaimandwoundedhimmortally.TheEaglegaveonelookatthearrowthathadenteredhisheartandsawinthatsingleglancethatitsfeathershadbeenfurnishedbyhimself.“Itisadoublegrieftome,”heexclaimed,“thatIshouldperishbyanarrowfeatheredfrommyownwings.”

  Weoftengiveourenemiesthemeansforourowndestruction.

  海鸥和鹞鹰

  TheSeagullandtheKite

  海鸥从海里捉到一条大鱼,却被这条个头太大的鱼撑破了喉咙,气息奄奄地倒在了岸边。鹞鹰看到后对海鸥说:“你真是自讨苦吃啊!你生来是一只鸟,干嘛非要来海上寻找食物不可呢?”

  每个人都应该满足于自己的领域。

  ASeagullhavingbolteddowntoolargeafish,burstitsdeepgullet-bagandlaydownontheshoretodie.AKitesawhimandexclaimed,“Yourichlydeserveyourfate;forabirdoftheairhasnobusinesstoseekitsfoodfromthesea.”

  Everymanshouldbecontenttomindhisownbusiness.

  老鹰和寒鸦

  TheEagleandtheJackdaw

  老鹰从高高的悬崖上猛扑下来,在羊群中抓走了一只小羊羔。寒鸦看到老鹰这么容易就能抓到猎物,心里非常羡慕,就决定仿效他。于是,寒鸦大喊一声,就冲向羊群。不料羊毛把他的爪子缠住了,再也无法飞起来,只能徒劳地拍打翅膀。牧羊人一看就明白发生了什么事,立即赶来抓住了寒鸦。牧羊人把寒鸦的翅膀剪短,带回家给孩子当做玩伴。好奇的孩子们问:“这是什么鸟啊?”牧羊人回答说:“依我看,这是一只寒鸦,可是他把自己当做老鹰了!”

  不自量力的结果是自取灭亡。

  AnEagle,flyingdownfromhisperchonaloftyrock,seizeduponalambandcarriedhimaloftinhistalons.AJackdaw,whowitnessedthecaptureofthelamb,wasstirredwithenvyanddeterminedtoemulatethestrengthandflightoftheEagle.Heflewaroundwithagreatwhirofhiswingsandsettleduponalargeram,withtheintentionofcarryinghimoff,buthisclawsbecameentangledintheram’sfleeceandhewasnotabletoreleasehimself,althoughheflutteredwithhisfeathersasmuchashecould.Theshepherd,seeingwhathadhappened,ranupandcaughthim.HeatonceclippedtheJackdaw’swings,andtakinghimhomeatnight,gavehimtohischildren.Ontheirsaying,“Father,whatkindofbirdisit?”hereplied,“TomycertainknowledgeheisaDaw;buthewouldlikeyoutothinkanEagle.”

  Don’ttakeonmorethanyoucanaccomplish.

  农夫和老鹰

  ThePeasantandtheEagle

  一个农夫看到一只被困在陷阱中的老鹰,非常同情他的遭遇,就大发善心把他放了。这只老鹰非常懂得“滴水之恩,当涌泉相报”的道理。当他看到农夫坐在一堵危墙下时,就赶快向农夫飞去,把农夫的包袱抓走了。有点生气的农夫马上起身去追赶老鹰。老鹰看到农夫已经离那段墙很远了,就把包袱还给了他。当农夫拿着包袱返回到原来的地方时,发现那段墙已经倒塌了。这时,他才理解老鹰报恩的行为,心中非常惊奇,更多的则是感激。

  要懂得报恩的道理。

  APeasantfoundanEaglecapturedinatrap,andmuchadmiringthebird,sethimfree.TheEagledidnotproveungratefultohisdeliverer,forseeingthePeasantsittingunderawallwhichwasnotsafe,heflewtowardhimandwithhistalonssnatchedabundlefromhishead.WhenthePeasantroseinpursuit,theEagleletthebundlefallagain.Takingitup,themanreturnedtothesameplace,tofindthatthewallunderwhichhehadbeensittinghadfallentopieces;andhemarveledattheservicerenderedhimbytheEagle.

  Returnfavors.

  鹞鹰和天鹅

  TheKitesandtheSwans

  在很久很久以前,鹞鹰也和天鹅一样拥有一副美妙的歌喉。可是至从他们听到了马嘶声之后,就深深地迷上了那雄厚的声音。于是,鹞鹰就拼命地模仿马的声音。到头来,马的声音没有学会,反而忘记了自己是如何唱歌的。

  去追求那些遥不可及的东西往往会让你失去现在拥有的。

  TheKitesofoldentimes,aswellastheSwans,hadtheprivilegeofsong.Buthavingheardtheneighofthehorse,theyweresoenchantedwiththesound,thattheytriedtoimitateit;and,intryingtoneigh,theyforgothowtosing.

  Thedesireforimaginarybenefitsofteninvolvesthelossofpresentblessings.

  寒鸦和鸽子

  TheJackdawandtheDoves

  一只寒鸦看到住在笼子里的鸽子有充足的食物,于是他就把自己装扮成鸽子的样子去分享他们的食物。只要寒鸦不开口说话,鸽子也分辨不出寒鸦是异类,因此他过了一段非常舒适的日子。

  直到有一天,寒鸦忘记自己的身份,开始和鸽子们闲聊。这样,鸽子就发现了他的真实面目,把他赶出了笼子。无处可去的寒鸦只能回到自己的同伴中间。可是,外表已经改变的寒鸦也被同伴拒之门外。结果,寒鸦成了两边都不接受的小可怜。

  两边的利益都想得到,最后只能是“竹篮打水一场空”。

  AJackdaw,seeingsomeDovesinacoteabundantlyprovidedwithfood,paintedhimselfwhiteandjoinedtheminordertosharetheirplentifulmaintenance.TheDoves,aslongashewassilent,supposedhimtobeoneofthemselvesandadmittedhimtotheircote.

  Butwhenonedayheforgothimselfandbegantochatter,theydiscoveredhistruecharacteranddrovehimforth,peckinghimwiththeirbeaks.FailingtoobtainfoodamongtheDoves,hereturnedtotheJackdaws.Theytoo,notrecognizinghimonaccountofhiscolor.expelledhimfromlivingwiththem.Sodesiringtwoends,heobtainedneither.

  Hethattrimsbetweentwointerests,loseshimselfwithboth,butistruetoneither.

  老鹰和狐狸

  TheEagleandtheFox

  老鹰和狐狸是非常亲密的伙伴,他们决定比邻而居,以为这样友情就会更加牢固。于是,老鹰带着他的孩子们飞到一棵高高的大树上筑了巢,狐狸领着她的孩子们在树下的灌木丛中安了家。谁知一天,老鹰没有食物喂养孩子,又恰逢狐狸外出觅食,于是就飞到树下把小狐狸抓到了树上美美地饱餐了一顿。狐狸返回家,看到发生的一切,悲痛欲绝。更让他难过的是,他无法抓住能在天上飞行的老鹰,为孩子们报仇雪恨。

  不久之后,报应就降临到老鹰身上了。原来有一天,人们在郊外宰羊献祭,老鹰觊觎鲜美的羊肉,抓住了几根燃烧着的羊肠就往回飞。不料,一阵狂风吹来,羊肠上的火星点燃了鸟窝里的干草。还没学会飞翔的小鹰惊慌逃走,结果全部摔死在地上。在树下守候的狐狸抓住时机,一个箭步蹿上来在老鹰的面前把小鹰全部吃掉了。

  上帝才是最终的审判官。

  AnEagleandaFoxformedanintimatefriendshipanddecidedtoliveneareachother.TheEaglebuilthernestinthebranchesofatalltree,whiletheFoxcreptintotheunder-woodandthereproducedheryoung.Notlongaftertheyhadagreeduponthisplan,theEagle,beinginwantofprovisionforheryoungones,swoopeddownwhiletheFoxwasout,seizedupononeofthelittlecubs,andfeastedherselfandherbrood.TheFoxonherreturn,discoveredwhathadhappened,butwaslessgrievedforthedeathofheryoungthanforherinabilitytoavengethem.

  Ajustretribution,however,quicklyfellupontheEagle.Whilehoveringnearanaltar,onwhichsomevillagersweresacrificingagoat,shesuddenlyseizedapieceoftheflesh,andcarriedit,alongwithaburningcinder,tohernest.Astrongbreezesoonfannedthesparkintoaflame,andtheeaglets,asyetunfledgedandhelpless,wereroastedintheirnestanddroppeddowndeadatthebottomofthetree.There,inthesightoftheEagle,theFoxgobbledthemup.

  Godistheultimatejudge.

  老鹰和猎人

  TheEagleandHisCaptor

  有个人抓到一只老鹰,马上就剪短了他的翅膀,把他关在自家院子里,和一群鸡生活在一起。失去自由的老鹰,每天垂头丧气,拒绝进食,像是牢房里的囚犯。后来,一位邻居从老鹰主人的手里将他买去,他让老鹰翅膀自由生长,又精心为他疗伤。老鹰飞起来之后,抓到一只兔子,并作为礼物送给新主人。狐狸看到后对老鹰说:“你最好不要把兔子送给你现在的主人,而该送给原先的主人,以免日后你再次被他抓住时仍把你的翅膀剪掉。”

  对恩人应该以德报德。

  AnEaglewasoncecapturedbyaman,whoimmediatelyclippedhiswingsandputhimintohispoultry-yardwiththeotherbirds,atwhichtreatmenttheEaglewasweigheddownwithgrief.Later,anotherneighborpurchasedhimandallowedhisfeatherstogrowagain.TheEagletookflight,andpouncinguponahare,broughtitatonceasanofferingtohisbenefactor.AFox,seeingthis,exclaimed,“Donotcultivatethefavorofthisman,butofyourformerowner,lestheshouldagainhuntforyouanddepriveyouasecondtimeofyourwings.”

  Favorthosewhodoyoukindness.

  

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