Once upon a time all the Rivers combined to protest against the action of the Sea in making their waters salt. “When we come to you,” said they to the Sea, “we are sweet and drinkable: but when once we have mingled with you, our waters become as briny and unpalatable as your own.” The Sea replied shortly, “Keep away from me and you'll remain sweet.”
有一回，所有的河都联合起来，抗议大海把它们的水都变成了咸的。它们对大海说：“我们来找你的时候，全都甘甜可口，但是一和你合到一起，我们的水就变得像你一样又咸又涩，难以下咽。”大海的回答很简单：“离我远点，你们自然能保持甘甜。”