A number of Foxes assembled on the bank of a river and wanted to drink; but the current was so strong and the water looked so deep and dangerous that they didn't dare to do so, but stood near the edge encouraging one another not to be afraid. At last one of them, to shame the rest, and show how brave he was, said, “I am not a bit frightened! See, I'll step right into the water!” He had no sooner done so than the current swept him off his feet. When the others saw him being carried down-stream they cried, “Don't go and leave us! Come back and show us where we too can drink with safety.” But he replied, “I'm afraid I can't yet: I want to go to the seaside, and this current will take me there nicely. When I come back I'll show you with pleasure.”
有一群狐狸聚在河岸边，想要喝水，但是水流湍急，河水看上去又深又险，没有人敢去喝，于是就站在岸边，互相鼓动其他狐狸不要怕。最后，有一只狐狸为了羞辱其他狐狸，显示自己的勇气，说：“我可是一点都不怕！看，我要直接走到水里去！”结果，他刚一喝到水立刻便被急流冲走了。别的狐狸见此，就大喊道：“不要走啊，不要抛下我们！回来让我们看看我们能够在哪里喝水才够安全。”那只狐狸回答说：“怕是不行啦，我想去大海，这水流会把我顺顺当当地送过去。等我回来，会很开心地告诉你们的。”