双语·《伊索寓言》 狐狸和山羊

THE FOX AND THE GOAT

A Fox fell into a well and was unable to get out again. By and by a thirsty Goat came by, and seeing the Fox in the well asked him if the water was good. “Good?” said the Fox, “it's the best water I ever tasted in all my life. Come down and try it yourself.” The Goat thought of nothing but the prospect of quenching his thirst, and jumped in at once. When he had had enough to drink, he looked about, like the Fox, for some way of getting out, but could find none. Presently the Fox said, “I have an idea. You stand on your hind legs, and plant your forelegs firmly against the side of the well, and then I'll climb on to your back, and, from there, by stepping on your horns, I can get out. And when I'm out, I'll help you out too.” The Goat did as he was requested, and the Fox climbed on to his back and so out of the well; and then he coolly walked away. The Goat called loudly after him and reminded him of his promise to help him out: but the Fox merely turned and said, “If you had as much sense in your head as you have hair in your beard you wouldn't have got into the well without making certain that you could get out again.”

Look before your leap.

狐狸和山羊

有一只狐狸掉进了一口井中，用尽了办法也爬不上来。没过多久，有一只口渴的山羊过来，看到狐狸在井中，便问他井水好不好。“好不好？”狐狸回答，“这简直是我这辈子喝过的最好的水了。你自己下来尝尝吧。”山羊不假思索，一心只想解渴，便立刻跳进了井里。等他喝够了水，便像狐狸一样，开始想办法要出去，却也找不到办法。这时，狐狸说：“我有一个主意。你用后腿支撑身体，把前腿搭在井壁上，我顺着你的背爬上去，踩着你的犄角，我就能够出去了。到时候我再帮你出去。”山羊依计而行，狐狸爬到了山羊背上，然后爬出了井，接着便无耻地走了。山羊大声地叫他回来，提醒他遵守刚才许下的诺言，帮自己出去。但是狐狸只是回过头说：“你脑子里的主意要是跟你的胡子一样多，就根本不会在确定是否能够出去之前就下井去。”

训诫：三思而后行。