伊索寓言四则

Story One

The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

An Ass (驴), having put on the Lion’s skin, walked aimlessly about in the forest and amused himself by frightening all the foolish animals he met in his wanderings. At last, when coming upon a Fox, he tried to frighten the Fox also, but no sooner had the Fox heard the sound of the Ass’s voice than he exclaimed (惊呼), “I might possibly have been frightened myself, if I had not heard your bray (驴叫声).”

Story Two

The Ass Carrying the Image

An Ass once carried through the streets of a city a famous wooden Image, to be placed in one of the city’s temples (寺庙). As he passed along, the crowd kneeled down before the Image. The Ass, thinking that they bent their heads to show respect for himself, bristled up (直立) with pride, gave himself airs (装腔作势), and refused to move another step. The driver, seeing this, laid his whip hard about the Ass’s shoulders and said, “You dull-head! It’s not yet come to this, that men pay worship (崇拜) to an Ass!”

Story Three

The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion

The Ass and the Fox, having entered into partnership together for their mutual

 (互相) protection, went out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far when they met a lion. The Fox, seeing coming danger, came close to the lion and promised to help him capture (捕获) the Ass if the Lion would promise not to harm himself. Then, upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured, the Fox led him to a deep pit and asked him to jump into it. The lion, seeing that the Ass couldn’t run away, immediately caught hold of the Fox, and attacked the Ass at his leisure.

Story Four

The Ass and his Purchaser

A man wished to purchase an Ass, and agreed with its owner that he could try out the animal before he bought him. He took the Ass home and put him in the straw-yard with his other Asses. The new animal left all the others and at once joined the one that was most lazy and the greatest eater of them all. Seeing this, the man put a rope on him and led him back to his owner. On being asked how, in so short a time, he could make a trial (试用) of him, he answered, “I don’t need a trial; I know he will be just the same as the one he chose for his companion.”