The Father and His Son
Father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarrelling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They each tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it.
Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up in anger, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: “If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness.” The Lion laughed and let him go.
It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar,came up, and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and setting him free.
exclaimed: “You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any.
repayment of your favour; but now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion.”
厨房里有一个长颈瓶,瓶里装满了香油。有一只乖巧的老鼠把瓶塞咬得粉碎,然后把长长的尾巴伸进瓶里,再把沾满了油的尾巴拖出来,卷到嘴边。津津有味地吃个饱。“多好的尾巴啊!有了你,我才吃上了这样香的油。”它就夸奖起尾巴来。
日子久了,从厨房到鼠洞就印下了一条油迹。
猫发现了鼠洞,就日夜守在鼠洞旁边。做坏事的家伙,胆子总是越来越大。一天,老鼠拖着沾满了油的尾巴,想拖回洞去,给自己的小老鼠也饱吃一顿。
刚要进洞,猫猛扑上去。老鼠赶快逃进洞里,但是,那尾巴沾的油太重了,一时缩不进去,猫一爪子抓住了它的尾巴,连它整个身子都给拖了出来。当它快要被猫咬死的时候,老鼠就咒骂起自己的尾巴来:“你,多坏的尾巴啊!没有你,我决不会送命。”
猫说:“当它对你有利的时候,你就夸奖它;当它对你有害的时候,你就咒骂它。你根本不想想:偷油是种坏事。你的命就送在偷油上!”
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