001 THE BAT AND THE WEASELS 蝙蝠與黃鼠狼
002 THE CAT AND THE MICE 貓與老鼠
003 THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER 燒炭人與漂布人
004 THE HORSE AND THE GROOM 馬與馬伕
005 THE FOX AND THE GRAPES 狐狸與葡萄
006 THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGGS生金蛋的鵝
007 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG淘氣的狗
008 THE MICE IN COUNCIL老鼠開會
009 THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR老婦人和醫生
010 THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW揮霍無度的人和燕子
011 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE孔雀和鶴
012 THE WOLF AND THE LAMB 狼和羔羊
001 THE BAT AND THE WEASELS
001 THE BAT AND THE WEASELS
蝙蝠與黃鼠狼
蝙蝠與黃鼠狼
A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel, and was just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The Weasel said he couldn't do that because he was an enemy of all birds on principle.
A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel, and was just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The Weasel said he couldn't do that because he was an enemy of all birds on principle.
"Oh, but," said the Bat, "I'm not a bird at all: I'm a mouse."
"Oh, but," said the Bat, "I'm not a bird at all: I'm a mouse."
"So you are," said the Weasel, "now I come to look at you"; and he let it go.
"So you are," said the Weasel, "now I come to look at you"; and he let it go.
Some time after this the Bat was caught in just the same way by another Weasel, and, as before, begged for its life.
Some time after this the Bat was caught in just the same way by another Weasel, and, as before, begged for its life.
"No," said the Weasel, "I never let a mouse go by any chance."
"No," said the Weasel, "I never let a mouse go by any chance."
"But I'm not a mouse," said the Bat; "I'm a bird."
"But I'm not a mouse," said the Bat; "I'm a bird."
"Why, so you are," said the Weasel; and he too let the Bat go.
"Why, so you are," said the Weasel; and he too let the Bat go.
Moral : Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.
Moral : Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.
仔細觀察一下，在你承諾之前，風會吹向哪個方向。
仔細觀察一下，在你承諾之前，風會吹向哪個方向。
002 THE CAT AND THE MICE
002 THE CAT AND THE MICE
貓與老鼠
貓與老鼠
There was once a house that was overrun with Mice. A Cat heard of this, and said to herself, "That's the place for me," and off she went and took up her quarters in the house, and caught the Mice one by one and ate them.
There was once a house that was overrun with Mice. A Cat heard of this, and said to herself, "That's the place for me," and off she went and took up her quarters in the house, and caught the Mice one by one and ate them.
At last the Mice could stand it no longer, and they determined to take to their holes and stay there. "That's awkward," said the Cat to herself: "the only thing to do is to coax them out by a trick." So she considered a while, and then climbed up the wall and let herself hang down by her hind legs from a peg, and pretended to be dead.
At last the Mice could stand it no longer, and they determined to take to their holes and stay there. "That's awkward," said the Cat to herself: "the only thing to do is to coax them out by a trick." So she considered a while, and then climbed up the wall and let herself hang down by her hind legs from a peg, and pretended to be dead.
By and by a Mouse peeped out and saw the Cat hanging there. "Aha!" it cried, "you're very clever, madam, no doubt: but you may turn yourself into a bag of meal hanging there, if you like, yet you won't catch us coming anywhere near you."
By and by a Mouse peeped out and saw the Cat hanging there. "Aha!" it cried, "you're very clever, madam, no doubt: but you may turn yourself into a bag of meal hanging there, if you like, yet you won't catch us coming anywhere near you."
— If you are wise you won’t be deceived by the innocent airs of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.
— If you are wise you won’t be deceived by the innocent airs of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.
“如果你是明智的，你不會被那些你曾經發現過是危險人物的無辜態度和樣子所欺騙。”
“如果你是明智的，你不會被那些你曾經發現過是危險人物的無辜態度和樣子所欺騙。”
003 THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER
003 THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER
燒炭人與漂布人
燒炭人與漂布人
There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house:
There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house:
"We shall get to know one another better that way," he said, "and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished."
"We shall get to know one another better that way," he said, "and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished."
The Fuller thanked him, but replied, "I couldn't think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal."
The Fuller thanked him, but replied, "I couldn't think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal."
Ｍoral : Like will draw like.
Ｍoral : Like will draw like.
寓言：不同類的人難相處。
寓言：不同類的人難相處。
004 THE HORSE AND THE GROOM
004 THE HORSE AND THE GROOM
馬與馬伕
馬與馬伕
There was once a Groom who used to spend long hours clipping and combing the Horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a portion of his allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit.
There was once a Groom who used to spend long hours clipping and combing the Horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a portion of his allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit.
The Horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried to the Groom, "If you really want me to look sleek and well, you must comb me less and feed me more."
The Horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried to the Groom, "If you really want me to look sleek and well, you must comb me less and feed me more."
005 THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
005 THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
狐狸和葡萄
狐狸和葡萄
A hungry Fox saw some fine bunches of Grapes hanging from a vine that was trained along a high trellis, and did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air.
A hungry Fox saw some fine bunches of Grapes hanging from a vine that was trained along a high trellis, and did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air.
But it was all in vain, for they were just out of reach: so he gave up trying, and walked away with an air of dignity and unconcern, remarking, "I thought those Grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour."
But it was all in vain, for they were just out of reach: so he gave up trying, and walked away with an air of dignity and unconcern, remarking, "I thought those Grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour."
當一個人得不到自己想要的東西時，就會把那樣東西看得一文不值。
當一個人得不到自己想要的東西時，就會把那樣東西看得一文不值。
006 THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGGS
006 THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGGS
生金蛋的鵝
生金蛋的鵝
A Man and his Wife had the good fortune to possess a Goose which laid a Golden Egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon began to think they were not getting rich fast enough, and, imagining the bird must be made of gold inside, they decided to kill it in order to secure the whole store of precious metal at once.
A Man and his Wife had the good fortune to possess a Goose which laid a Golden Egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon began to think they were not getting rich fast enough, and, imagining the bird must be made of gold inside, they decided to kill it in order to secure the whole store of precious metal at once.
But when they cut it open they found it was just like any other goose. Thus, they neither got rich all at once, as they had hoped, nor enjoyed any longer the daily addition to their wealth.
But when they cut it open they found it was just like any other goose. Thus, they neither got rich all at once, as they had hoped, nor enjoyed any longer the daily addition to their wealth.
Moral : Much wants more and loses all.
Moral : Much wants more and loses all.
寓言：要的更多失去的更多。
寓言：要的更多失去的更多。
007 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
007 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
淘氣的狗
淘氣的狗
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.
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."
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."
Moral: Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.
Moral: Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.
寓言：惡名昭彰常被誤認為名聲
寓言：惡名昭彰常被誤認為名聲
008 THE MICE IN COUNCIL
008 THE MICE IN COUNCIL
老鼠開會
老鼠開會
Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat.
Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat.
After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, "I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry it out.
After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, "I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry it out.
It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach."
It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach."
This proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said, "I agree with you all that the plan before us is an admirable one: but may I ask who is going to bell the cat?"
This proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said, "I agree with you all that the plan before us is an admirable one: but may I ask who is going to bell the cat?"
009 THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR
009 THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR
老婦人和醫生
老婦人和醫生
An Old Woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the eyes, and, after consulting a Doctor, made an agreement with him in the presence of witnesses that she should pay him a high fee if he cured her, while if he failed he was to receive nothing.
An Old Woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the eyes, and, after consulting a Doctor, made an agreement with him in the presence of witnesses that she should pay him a high fee if he cured her, while if he failed he was to receive nothing.
The Doctor accordingly prescribed a course of treatment, and every time he paid her a visit he took away with him some article out of the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last time, and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the Old Woman saw that the house was empty she refused to pay him his fee; and, after repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into court she was ready with her defence. "The claimant," said she, "has stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I undertook to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to charge nothing if he failed. Now, he says I am cured; but I say that I am blinder than ever, and I can prove what I say. When my eyes were bad I could at any rate see well enough to be aware that my house contained a certain amount of furniture and other things; but now, when according to him I am cured, I am entirely unable to see anything there at all."
The Doctor accordingly prescribed a course of treatment, and every time he paid her a visit he took away with him some article out of the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last time, and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the Old Woman saw that the house was empty she refused to pay him his fee; and, after repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into court she was ready with her defence. "The claimant," said she, "has stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I undertook to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to charge nothing if he failed. Now, he says I am cured; but I say that I am blinder than ever, and I can prove what I say. When my eyes were bad I could at any rate see well enough to be aware that my house contained a certain amount of furniture and other things; but now, when according to him I am cured, I am entirely unable to see anything there at all."
010 THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW
010 THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW
揮霍無度的人和燕子
揮霍無度的人和燕子
A Spendthrift, who had wasted his fortune, and had nothing left but the clothes in which he stood, saw a Swallow one fine day in early spring. Thinking that summer had come, and that he could now do without his coat, he went and sold it for what it would fetch.
A Spendthrift, who had wasted his fortune, and had nothing left but the clothes in which he stood, saw a Swallow one fine day in early spring. Thinking that summer had come, and that he could now do without his coat, he went and sold it for what it would fetch.
A change, however, took place in the weather, and there came a sharp frost which killed the unfortunate Swallow. When the Spendthrift saw its dead body he cried, "Miserable bird! Thanks to you I am perishing of cold myself."
A change, however, took place in the weather, and there came a sharp frost which killed the unfortunate Swallow. When the Spendthrift saw its dead body he cried, "Miserable bird! Thanks to you I am perishing of cold myself."
Ｍoral: One swallow does not make summer.一燕不成夏
Ｍoral: One swallow does not make summer.一燕不成夏
011 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE
011 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE
孔雀和鶴
孔雀和鶴
A Peacock taunted a Crane with the dullness of her plumage. "Look at my brilliant colours," said she, "and see how much finer they are than your poor feathers." "I am not denying," replied the Crane, "that yours are far gayer than mine; but when it comes to flying I can soar into the clouds, whereas you are confined to the earth like any dunghill cock."
A Peacock taunted a Crane with the dullness of her plumage. "Look at my brilliant colours," said she, "and see how much finer they are than your poor feathers." "I am not denying," replied the Crane, "that yours are far gayer than mine; but when it comes to flying I can soar into the clouds, whereas you are confined to the earth like any dunghill cock."
012 THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
012 THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
狼和羔羊
狼和羔羊
A Wolf came upon a Lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse; so he cast about for a grievance and said at last, "Last year, sirrah, you grossly insulted me." "That is impossible, sir," bleated the Lamb, "for I wasn't born then."
A Wolf came upon a Lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse; so he cast about for a grievance and said at last, "Last year, sirrah, you grossly insulted me." "That is impossible, sir," bleated the Lamb, "for I wasn't born then."
"Well," retorted the Wolf, "you feed in my pastures."
"Well," retorted the Wolf, "you feed in my pastures."
"That cannot be," replied the Lamb, "for I have never yet tasted grass."
"That cannot be," replied the Lamb, "for I have never yet tasted grass."
"You drink from my spring, then," continued the Wolf.
"You drink from my spring, then," continued the Wolf.
"Indeed, sir," said the poor Lamb, "I have never yet drunk anything but my mother's milk."
"Indeed, sir," said the poor Lamb, "I have never yet drunk anything but my mother's milk."
"Well, anyhow," said the Wolf, "I'm not going without my dinner": and he sprang upon the Lamb and devoured it without more ado.
"Well, anyhow," said the Wolf, "I'm not going without my dinner": and he sprang upon the Lamb and devoured it without more ado.