29.狮子和鹿

The Lion and the Deer 

All day a Deer walks around in the green fields. 

Deer: I walked all day. My legs hurt. 

I am so tired. I am also thirsty. 

I must find some water. 

Is there a pond nearby？ 

Oh, there it is! See one. 

The Deer goes to the pond for a drink. 

Deer: The water looks cool and fresh. 

Hmm…I was right. 

It tastes very good. 

I will drink a little more. 

When the Deer leans down for a second drink, she sees another animal. 

Deer: Oh, hi! Nice to meet you. 

When did you get here? 

What’s your name? 

There is no answer from the pond. The Deer sees herself in the water for the first time. She is very surprised. 

Deer: I said, “Nice to meet you.” 

Wait a minute! 

Hey, it moves like me. 

It even talks like me. 

Then perhaps? 

Yes! It’s me! 

The Deer looks closely in the water. 

Deer: I am beautiful! Look at my horns! 

They are so beautiful. 

They are the most beautiful horns 

in the world. 

I am blessed. Thank you, God. 

A few minutes latter, the Deer sees her legs. 

Deer: What are those? Are those my legs? 

They can’t be. They are so skinny. 

They are so ugly. I hate my legs. 

Boo-hoo-hoo. 

Turtle: Hello, Deer. 

What’s the matter? 

Why are you crying? Can I help you? 

Deer: Well, Turtle, just look at my legs. 

Turtle: What’s wrong with them? 

Deer: They are too skinny. 

My horns are so beautiful. 

But my legs are so ugly. 

I hate my legs. 

I want to hide them. 

What can I do? 

Turtle: Is that all? 

Your legs aren’t ugly. 

They are just a little thin. 

But at least they are long. 

Turtle: Look at my legs. 

They are so short. 

I can’t run. 

I can’t even walk fast. 

You should be grateful. 

Deer: But I don’t like my legs. 

How can I get some new ones? 

God is so unfair. 

Turtle: Don’t be foolish. 

There is no way. 

Be happy with your legs. 

Someday they will help you. 

Deer: What do you mean? 

Turtle: You’ll find out one day. 

Beauty is not everything. 

So cheer up. 

Deer: I don’t understand. 

But thanks anyway. See you again, Turtle. 

The Deer comes out of the pond and rests for a few minutes. 

Lion: Look! 

A Deer! 

It looks tired. 

I can catch it easily. 

Today is my lucky day. 

Deer: I better go now. 

A Lion might pass by. 

Lion: Grrr… 

Come here, Deer. 

I want to eat you. 

Deer: Oh no! 

A Lion! 

I better run away. 

The Deer quickly runs away. She is very fast. 

Deer: Come on legs! 

RUN FASTER!!! 

Lion: Stop there! Oh, it’s no use! 

That Deer is too fast for me. 

Where did she go? 

The Deer runs away ahead and hides behind a tree. 

Deer: Geez! 

My legs are skinny. 

But they are really fast. 

Where’s the Lion? 

I can’t see him. 

Lion: Where are you? 

You can’t run away from me. 

Come out, come out, wherever you are. 

The Deer decides to hide in the forest. There are many, many big trees. 

Deer: I’ll go in the forest and hide from the Lion. 

Hey, what’s wrong? 

I can’t move. 

My horns are caught in a branch. 

I can’t get loose. 

The Lion is coming closer. 

What shall I do? 

Lion: There you are, Deer. 

Too bad. 

You are trapped! 

I will eat you now. 

Bye, bye. 

Deer: Oh, no! 

This can’t be! 

My skinny legs helped me get away. 

But my beautiful horns got me trapped. 

Now I know what the Turtle meat. 

But it’s no use now. 

Boo-hoo-hoo. 

Lion: Gulp! 

MORAL 

If you are too greedy, you may even lose what you have.