生病的狮子 The Sick Lion

 

    A LION, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice.  He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known.  The beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the Lion devoured them.  After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance, and asked him how he was.  "I am very middling,"

    replied the Lion, "but why do you stand without? Pray enter within to talk with me."  "No, thank you," said the Fox.  "I notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but I see no trace of any returning."  

    He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.

    有一头年老的狮子，已不能凭借力量去抢夺食物了，心想只能用智取的办法才能获得更多的食物。于是，他钻进一个山洞里，躺在地上假装生病，等其他小动物走过来窥探，就把他们抓住吃了。这样，不少的动物都被狮子吃掉了。狐狸识破了狮子的诡计，远远地站在洞外，问狮子身体现在如何。狮子回答说：“很不好。”反问狐狸为什么不进洞里来。狐狸说道：“如果我没发现只有进去的脚印，没有一个出来的脚印，我也许会进洞去。”

    这是说，聪明的人常常能审时度势，根据迹象预见到危险，避免不幸。