狮子，老鼠，狐狸 The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox

 

    A LION, fatigued by the heat of a summer's day, fell fast asleep in his den.  A Mouse ran over his mane and ears and woke him from his slumbers.  He rose up and shook himself in great wrath, and searched every corner of his den to find the Mouse.  A Fox seeing him said:  "A fine Lion you are, to be frightened of a Mouse."

"'Tis not the Mouse I fear," said the Lion; "I resent his familiarity and ill-breeding."  

    Little liberties are great offenses. 

    酷热的天气使狮子疲惫不堪，他躺在洞中酣睡。一只老鼠从他的鬃毛和耳朵上跑过，将他从梦中吵醒。狮子大怒，爬起来摇摆着身子，四处寻找老鼠。狐狸见到后说：“你是一只威严的狮子，也被老鼠吓怕了。”狮子说：“我并不怕老鼠，只是恨他放肆和无礼。”

    这是说，有时候一点点小小的自由都是很大的冒犯。