那些給我智慧和勇氣的寓言故事33:七隻獅子和一頭牛

There were seven lions who were friends to a cow. One day, the lions invited the cow for a meal.

七隻獅子和一頭牛決定做朋友。起初，獅子請它們的新朋友吃飯。

They prepared lots of meat to share with the cow. However the cow could not eat the meat but he remained quiet about it and thanked the lions for their hospitality.

他們爲牛準備了好多食物。 然而，這頭牛不吃肉，仍然保持安靜，還謝謝獅子們的熱情招待。

Later, the cow invited the“0nS be his guests.

後來輪到牛請客了。

The seven lions saw big bundles of fresh grass when they reached the cow's house. They were very surprised.

七隻獅子在約定的一天到了牛那兒，它們看見一大堆新鮮的草。獅子們非常驚奇

"Don't you have any meat? Are you going to serve us with grass only? Don't you know that we eat meat?"The cow said nervously, "I think grass tastes better than meat. Try it and see."

“怎麼搞的？你沒有肉？你不見得請我們吃草吧？”牛膽小他說：“依我看來，草比肉好吃得多。我勸你們試試看。”

"When you were invited as our guest, we did not force you to take the meat, " the lions said, "and we did not ask you to try it.

“我們可沒有一定要你吃肉，”獅子們說，“我們沒有對你說：‘爾吃’，

But here you are asking us to try eating the grass, If you were sincere about inviting us for a meal.

可你一定要我們吃草。要是你真想請客，就應該預備好吃的東西。

You would prepare food in favor of the guests. Without meat to eat, how could it be a feast?¨" But where could I get meat?" the cow argued.

沒有肉，算什麼筵席呢？”“但是叫我哪兒去找肉呢？”牛替自己辯護說。

The lions said, "It is definitely discourteous! You invited us as your guests but starve us.

這時候獅子們說：“這真是極端的無禮！請我們來吃飯，結果卻叫我們捱餓。

If anyone else were to treat us like this, we would tear him into pieces. Since you are our friend, we will be kind to you and eat only one of your legs.

要是別人像你這樣的話，我們早就把他撕得粉碎了。可你是我們的朋友，所以我們對你特別寬大。爲了表示我們的仁慈，我們只吃掉你一條腿。”

"The cow knew very well that he could not argue with the many more and he trembled as he said, "That's very kind of you.

牛知道跟它們爭論是沒有用的，只得渾身顫抖他說：“你們待我真好。”

"The lions bit off one of the cow's tegs and enjoyed eating it while he was left there feeding to death. Soon the lions said, "Since the cow is dead, we may as well finish him.

獅子就咬掉可憐的牛的一條後腿，開始吃起來。牛因爲流血過多，倒在地上死掉了。

" Thus they continued feasting on the cow. A fox passed bY and wanted to have a taste of the delicious meat too.

於是獅子們決定：“反正這牛已經死了，我們把它全吃光吧。”它們就繼續大吃。

So he sneaked in quietly and carried away the cow's heart. He hid himself behind a tree to enjoy his food.

有一隻狐狸正好走過。它也想嚐嚐美味的肉，於是悄悄地走到近旁，叼着牛心，躲到樹背後去。

When the seven lions had eaten up the whole cow, they asked among themselves, "Where is the cow's heart? Do you mean the cow has no heart at all?"

七隻獅子把牛吃得連骨頭也不剩。它們吃完了互相驚奇地問道：“這牛的心在哪兒？也許它根本沒有心吧？”

The fox came out from his hiding place and said, "You're wrong! He has a heart but no brain* Or else he would not be friends with you at all. "

這時候狐狸從躲的地方走出來，一邊舔着嘴脣一邊說：“你們錯了，可敬的先生們。它是有心的，就是沒有頭腦。不然的話，它也不會跟你們做朋友了。”