青蛙求王 The Frogs Asking for a King

 

The Frogs Asking for a King 

    THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King.  Perceiving their simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake.  The Frogs were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid themselves in the depths of the pool.  But as soon as they realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began squatting on it in contempt.  After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign.  He then gave them an Eel to govern them.  When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still another King.  Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there were none left to croak upon the lake. 

青蛙求王

    青蛙们没有国王，大为不快。于是，他们派代表去拜见宙斯，请求给他们一个国王。宙斯看到他们如此蠢笨，便将一块木头扔到了池塘里。青蛙最初听到木头落下的声音吓了一大跳，立刻都潜到池塘的底下去了。后来当木头浮在水面一点不动时，他们又游出水面来，终于发现木头没什么了不起的，大家爬上木块，坐在它的上面，把开始时的害怕忘得一干二净。他们觉得有这样一个国王很没面子，又去见宙斯，请求给他们换一个国王，说第一个国王太迟钝了。宙斯感到十分生气，便派一条水蛇到他们那里去。结果青蛙都被水蛇抓去吃了。

这故事说明，迷信统治者，不相信自己的力量，只能受制于人，招致灾难。