酷兔英语

40. The Horse and Groom



A GROOM used to spend whole days in currycombing and rubbing down his Horse, but at the same time stole his oats and sold them for his own profit.

"Alas!" said the Horse, "if you really wish me to be in good condition, you should groom me less, and feed me more."





41. The Ass and the Lapdog



A MAN had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty.

The Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master, who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat.

The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm.

He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his master's house, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he could.

He next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms.

He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back.

The servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs.

The Ass, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented: "I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!"





42. The Lioness



A CONTROVERSY prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which of the animals deserved the most credit for producing the greatest number of whelps at a birth.

They rushed clamorously into the presence of the Lioness and demanded of her the settlement of the dispute.

"And you," they said, "how many sons have you at a birth?"

The Lioness laughed at them, and said: "Why! I have only one; but that one is altogether a thoroughbred Lion."



The value is in the worth, not in the number.
关键字:伊索寓言
生词表:
  • idleness [´aidlnis] 移动到这儿单词发声 n.懒;闲着不干事 四级词汇
  • halter [´hɔ:ltə] 移动到这儿单词发声 n.缰绳,绞索 六级词汇