《伊索寓言》是古希腊作家伊索创作的经典寓言，是世界上最古老的寓言，在全世界有着广泛而巨大的影响。它的作者伊索被誉为“希腊寓言之父”、“西方寓言的开山鼻祖”。《伊索寓言》也深为中国读者所熟悉，许多篇目已然家喻户晓，比如《狼和羔羊》、《农夫和蛇》、《乌鸦和水罐》等。
THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX
A Dog and a Cock, who were the best of friends, wished very much
to see something of the world. So they decided to leave the
farmyard and to set out into the world along the road that led to
the woods. The two comrades traveled along in the very best of
spirits and without meeting any adventure to speak of.
At nightfall the Cock, looking for a place to roost, as was his
custom, spied nearby a hollow tree that he thought would do very
nicely for a night's lodging. The Dog could creep inside and the
Cock would fly up on one of the branches. So said, so done, and
both slept very comfortably.
With the first glimmer of dawn the Cock awoke. For the moment he
forgot just where he was. He thought he was still in the farmyard
where it had been his duty to arouse the household at daybreak.
So standing on tip-toes he flapped his wings and crowed lustily.
But instead of awakening the farmer, he awakened a Fox not far
off in the wood. The Fox immediately had rosy visions of a very
delicious breakfast. Hurrying to the tree where the Cock was
roosting, he said very politely:
"A hearty welcome to our woods, honored sir. I cannot tell you
how glad I am to see you here. I am quite sure we shall become
the closest of friends."
"I feel highly flattered, kind sir," replied the Cock slyly. "If
you will please go around to the door of my house at the foot of
the tree, my porter will let you in."
The hungry but unsuspecting Fox, went around the tree as he was
told, and in a twinkling the Dog had seized him.
Those who try to deceive may expect to be paid in their own
coin.
BELLING THE CAT
The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free
themselves of their enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find
some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time
to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived in
such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir from
their dens by night or day.
Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good
enough. At last a very young Mouse got up and said:
"I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be
successful. All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's
neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately that
our enemy is coming."
All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought of
such a plan before. But in the midst of the rejoicing over their
good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:
"I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good. But
let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?"
It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite
a different matter to do it.
THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW
An Eagle, swooping down on powerful wings, seized a lamb in her
talons and made off with it to her nest. A Jackdaw saw the deed,
and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and
strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. So with much rustling
of feathers and a fierce air, he came down swiftly on the back of
a large Ram. But when he tried to rise again he found that he
could not get away, for his claws were tangled in the wool. And
so far was he from carrying away the Ram, that the Ram hardly
noticed he was there.
The Shepherd saw the fluttering Jackdaw and at once guessed what
had happened. Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its
wings. That evening he gave the Jackdaw to his children.
"What a funny bird this is!" they said laughing, "what do you
call it, father?"
"That is a Jackdaw, my children. But if you should ask him, he
would say he is an Eagle."
Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers.
THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS
A Boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher to get
some filberts. But he took such a great fistful that he could not
draw his hand out again. There he stood, unwilling to give up a
single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed
and disappointed he began to cry.
"My boy," said his mother, "be satisfied with half the nuts you
have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps
you may have some more filberts some other time."
Do not attempt too much at once.
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