THE HARES AND THE FROGS

The Hares once gathered together and lamented the unhappiness of their lot, exposed as they were to dangers on all sides and lacking the strength and the courage to hold their own. Men, dogs, birds and beasts of prey were all their enemies, and killed and devoured them daily: and sooner than endure such persecution any longer, they one and all determined to end their miserable lives. Thus resolved and desperate, they rushed in a body towards a neighbouring pool, intending to drown themselves. On the bank were sitting a number of Frogs, who, when they heard the noise of the Hares as they ran, with one accord leaped into the water and hid themselves in the depths. Then one of the older Hares who was wiser than the rest cried out to his companions, “Stop, my friends, take heart; don't let us destroy ourselves after all: see, here are creatures who are afraid of us, and who must, therefore, be still more timid than ourselves.”

野兔和青蛙

有一回，野兔们聚集在一起，共同哀叹命运不好，他们总是四面受敌，却又没有足够的力量和勇气保护自己。人、狗、飞禽、走兽全都是他们的敌人，日复一日地杀戮、吞吃他们。他们再也无法忍受这种迫害了，他们一致决定要结束这种悲惨的命运。由于绝望，他们集体奔向附近的一个池塘，想要跳水自杀。池塘岸边坐着一些青蛙，他们听到野兔们的声音，全都跳入水中，藏在了深处。这时，一只最聪明的老野兔冲伙伴们喊道：“停下，朋友们，振作起来！咱们还是别自杀了，你们看看，那些小东西这么害怕我们，肯定比我们还胆小。”