驢和騾子 The Ass and the Mule

 

      A MULETEER set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule, both well laden.  The Ass, as long as he traveled along the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear.  He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule paid no attention to the request.  The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden.  Not knowing what else to do in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him.  The Mule, groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself:  "I am treated according to my deserts.  If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well." 

      有一天，驢夫趕著驢子和騾子一起馱貨趕路。驢子十分氣憤他們倆馱的東西一樣多，而騾子認為自己應(yīng)吃雙倍飼料。他們剛走一會兒，驢夫看見驢子有點走不動了，便從他背上拿下一部分貨物，加在騾子背上。他們又走了一會兒，驢夫看到驢累得更加不行了，又取了一部分貨物，最后把驢馱的所有貨物，全加在騾子背上。這時，騾子回過頭對驢子說：“喂，朋友，你現(xiàn)在還氣憤我吃雙倍飼料嗎？”

      這故事是說，不要與別人斤斤計較，各人都有自己該做的事，該得的酬勞。