第8章
THE ASS AND THE LAP-DOG
驴和哈巴狗
There was once a man who had an Ass and a Lap-dog.The Ass was housed in the stable with plenty of oats and hay to eat and was as well off as an ass could be.The little Dog was made a great pet of by his master，who fondled him and often let him lie in his lap；and if he went out to dinner，he would bring back a tit-bit or two to give him when he ran to meet him on his return.The Ass had，it is true，a good deal of work to do，carting or grinding the corn，or carrying the burdens of the farm：and ere long he became very jealous，contrasting his own life of labor with the ease and idleness of the Lap-dog.At last one day he broke his halter，and frisking into the house just as his master sat down to dinner，he pranced and capered about，mimicking the frolics of the little favorite，upsetting the table and smashing the crockery with his clumsy efforts.Not content with that，he even tried to jump on his master's lap，as he had so often seen the dog allowed to do.At that the servants，seeing the danger their master was in，belabored the silly Ass with sticks and cudgels，and drove him back to his stable half dead with his beating."Alas！"he cried，"all this I have brought on myself.Why could I not be satisfied with my natural and honorable position，without wishing to imitate the ridiculous antics of that useless little Lap-dog？"
｛中文阅读｝
有人养了一头驴和一只哈巴狗。驴被圈养在棚子里，虽然不愁温饱，有着足够的燕麦和干草供应，却每天都要尽驴子应尽的本分。小狗颇会讨好它的主人，而主人则经常抚摸它，让它坐在自己的膝盖上。假如主人出外吃饭，还会想着带一点好吃的回来，等见到小狗时给它作为奖励。驴子的确是工作繁重，他不仅要到磨坊里拉磨，还要去树林里驮木材。与哈巴狗的悠闲自在相比，驴子难免会心生嫉妒，怀有怨言。有一天，机会终于来了，驴子挣断缰绳，跑进主人的房间，模仿哈巴狗的样子围着主人跳舞，又蹦又踢，不仅撞翻了桌子，还把碗碟摔得粉碎。不仅如此，驴子甚至还试图跳到主人的膝盖上，因为他经常看到小狗如此。仆人们见此情景，都吓坏了，以为主人面临着危险，于是用棍棒把驴子赶回棚里，打了个半死。“唉！”他哭喊着，“我这不是自作自受吗，我为什么不满足于自己的现状和地位，偏要去模仿小哈巴狗那无用、滑稽的小丑样呢？”
THE FIR-TREE AND THE BRAMBLE
冷杉与荆棘
A Fir-tree was boasting to a Bramble，and said，somewhat contemptuously，"You poor creature，you are of no use whatever.Now，look at me：I am useful for all sorts of things，particularly when men build houses；they can't do without me then."But the Bramble replied，"Ah，that's all very well：but you wait till they come with axes and saws to cut you down，and then you'll wish you were a Bramble and not a Fir."
Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many obligations.
｛中文阅读｝
一棵冷杉树用轻蔑的口吻对着荆棘夸口道：“你这可怜的东西，一点用处也没有。你看看我，我可是对万物都有益处，尤其是当人类要盖房子的时候，没有我根本就不行。”但是荆棘回答：“是啊！那的确很好。不过，等到他们拿着斧头和锯来把你砍倒时，你就会希望自己是荆棘，而不是冷杉树了。”
宁可贫穷而无人问津，也不要富贵而责任缠身。
THE FROGS'COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SUN
抱怨太阳的青蛙
Once upon a time the Sun was about to take to himself a wife.The Frogs in terror all raised their voices to the skies，and Jupiter，disturbed by the noise，asked them what they were croaking about.They replied，"The Sun is bad enough even while he is single，drying up our marshes with his heat as he does.But what will become of us if he marries and begets other Suns？"
｛中文阅读｝
有一次，太阳想给自己找个老婆。青蛙们惊恐地冲着天空大喊，朱庇特听到吵闹声，就问他们在冲着谁哇哇乱叫。他们回答说：“即便是单身，太阳已经够坏了，几乎晒干了我们的沼泽地，要是他再结了婚，并且再生下一个小太阳的话，我们该怎么办呀？”
THE DOG，THE COCK，AND THE FOX
狗、公鸡和狐狸
A Dog and a Cock became great friends，and agreed to travel together.At nightfall the Cock flew up into the branches of a tree to roost，while the Dog curled himself up inside the trunk，which was hollow.At break of day the Cock woke up and crew，as usual.A Fox heard，and，wishing to make a breakfast of him，came and stood under the tree and begged him to come down."I should so like，"said he，"to make the acquaintance of one who has such a beautiful voice."The Cock replied，"Would you just wake my porter who sleeps at the foot of the tree？He'll open the door and let you in."The Fox accordingly rapped on the trunk，when out rushed the Dog and tore him in pieces.
｛中文阅读｝
一条狗与一只公鸡成了朋友，他们准备一起去旅行。到了晚上，公鸡一跃跳到树枝上栖息，而狗则蜷缩在下面空洞洞的树干里过夜。天将破晓时，公鸡像往常一样啼叫起来。一只狐狸听见了鸡叫，想以鸡肉作为自己的早餐，便跑来站在树下，请公鸡下来。“多么美的嗓音啊！”他说，“我很高兴能认识一位声音悦耳动听的公鸡。”而公鸡则回答说：“你能先叫醒树洞里那个看门的吗？只要他一开门，我就可以下来。”狐狸立刻跑去叫门，里面突然跳出来一只狗，把他咬住撕碎了。
THE GNAT AND THE BULL
蠓虫和公牛
A Gnat alighted on one of the horns of a Bull，and remained sitting there for a considerable time .When it had rested sufficiently and was about to fly away，it said to the Bull，"Do you mind if I go now？"The Bull merely raised his eyes and remarked，without interest，"It's all one to me；I didn't notice when you came，and I shan't know when you go away."
We may often be of more consequence in our own eyes than in the eyes of our neighbors.
｛中文阅读｝
一只蠓虫偶然发现了公牛头上的角，便停留在上面很长一段时间。等他歇够了脚，准备飞走时，对公牛说：“我现在飞走，你不介意吧？”公牛仅仅抬眼看了看，不感兴趣地说：“对我来说都一样。我甚至都没有注意到你过来，当然也不想知道你什么时候走。”
我们经常自视很重要，可别人往往不这样看。
THE BEAR AND THE TRAVELLERS
熊和旅人
Two Travelers were on the road together，when a Bear suddenly appeared on the scene.Before he observed them，one made for a tree at the side of the road，and climbed up into the branches and hid there.The other was not so nimble as his companion；and，as he could not escape，he threw himself on the ground and pretended to be dead.The Bear came up and sniffed all round him，but he kept perfectly still and held his breath：for they say that a bear will not touch a dead body.The Bear took him for a corpse，and went away.When the coast was clear，the Traveler in the tree came down，and asked the other what it was the Bear had whispered to him when he put his mouth to his ear.The other replied，"He told me never again to travel with a friend who deserts you at the first sign of danger."
Misfortune tests the sincerity of friendship.
｛中文阅读｝
两个朋友一同出游，途中突然遇到一只大熊。还没等熊看到他们，其中一个立即闪电般地抢先爬上树，躲了起来。而另一个眼见逃生无望，便灵机一动躺倒在地上，假装死了。熊走到他跟前，用鼻子在他脸上嗅了嗅，转身就走了，但他依然屏住呼吸、安然不动，因为他们听说，熊从来不碰死人。熊还真把他当成了死人，径自走开了。躲在树上的人下来后，问躺在地上的朋友，熊在他耳边说了些什么。那人委婉地回答说：“熊告诉我，今后千万注意，别和那些不能共患难的朋友一起同行。”
不幸可以考验友谊的真诚。