THE STAG AT THE POOL

A thirsty Stag went down to a pool to drink. As he bent over the surface he saw his own reflection in the water, and was struck with admiration for his fine spreading antlers, but at the same time he felt nothing but disgust for the weakness and slenderness of his legs. While he stood there looking at himself, he was seen and attacked by a Lion; but in the chase which ensued, he soon drew away from his pursuer, and kept his lead as long as the ground over which he ran was open and free of trees. But coming presently to a wood, he was caught by his antlers in the branches, and fell a victim to the teeth and claws of his enemy. “Woe is me!” he cried with his last breath, “I despised my legs, which might have saved my life: but I gloried in my horns, and they have proved my ruin.”

What is worth most is often valued least.

水塘边的雄鹿

有一只很渴的雄鹿来到一个水塘边喝水。他弯下身子，看到自己在水中的倒影，对自己头上好看的角欣赏不已，同时却非常讨厌自己细长的瘦腿。他站在那里，看着自己的倒影，就在这时，有一只狮子攻击了他，一场追逐就此展开，但是雄鹿很快便甩开了狮子，一路领先，从空地一直跑到了树林里。可他的角却被树枝给挂住了，于是最终落入了狮子的口中。他用最后一口气呐喊道：“我可真可怜啊！我讨厌自己的腿，可是它们却能够保住我的命；我夸耀自己的角，可它们却害得我没了命。”

训诫：值钱的东西往往没用。