雙語·《伊索寓言》 狐貍和山羊

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.

狐貍和山羊

有一只狐貍掉進了一口井中，用盡了辦法也爬不上來。沒過多久，有一只口渴的山羊過來，看到狐貍在井中，便問他井水好不好?！昂貌缓?？”狐貍回答，“這簡直是我這輩子喝過的最好的水了。你自己下來嘗嘗吧?！鄙窖虿患偎妓?，一心只想解渴，便立刻跳進了井里。等他喝夠了水，便像狐貍一樣，開始想辦法要出去，卻也找不到辦法。這時，狐貍說：“我有一個主意。你用后腿支撐身體，把前腿搭在井壁上，我順著你的背爬上去，踩著你的犄角，我就能夠出去了。到時候我再幫你出去?！鄙窖蛞烙嫸?，狐貍爬到了山羊背上，然后爬出了井，接著便無恥地走了。山羊大聲地叫他回來，提醒他遵守剛才許下的諾言，幫自己出去。但是狐貍只是回過頭說：“你腦子里的主意要是跟你的胡子一樣多，就根本不會在確定是否能夠出去之前就下井去。”

訓誡：三思而后行。