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 wo——hy of their royal master.”TheApe was so delighted with his answer that he gave him a very handsome present.The other Traveller thought that ifhis 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.
从前有两个人,一个总爱说实话,一个却只说谎话。
有一次,他们偶然来到了猿猴国。一只自称为国王的猿猴吩咐手下捉住这两个人,他个人,他要询问这两人对他的看法。同时他还下令,所有的猿猴都要像人类的朝廷仪式那样,将在他左右分列成两行,中间给他放一个王位。
一切准备妥当后,他发令,将那两人带到面前来,对那两个人说:"先生们,你们看,我是怎样的国王?"
说谎的人回答说:"在我看来,你就像一个最有权力的国王。"
"那旁边的这些猿猴呢?"
那人连忙说:"他们都是你的栋梁之材,至少都能做大使和将帅。"
那猿猴国王和他的手下听到这番谎话,十分得意,高兴地吩咐将美好的礼物送给这个阿谀奉承的人。
那位说真话的人见到这般情形,心想:"一番谎话可得这般丰厚的报酬,那么,若我依照习惯,说了真话,又将怎样呢?"
这时,那猿猴国王转过身来问他:"请问你觉得我和我的这些朋友怎么样呢?"
他说道:"你是一只最优秀的猿猴,依此类推,你的所有同伴都是优秀的猿猴。"
猿猴国王听到这些真话后,恼羞成怒,将说真话的人扔给手下去处置。
故事寓意:这故事是说,许多人宁愿相信謟媚的假话,却不爱听道出实质的真话。
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