The Vine and the Goat

母山羊与葡萄树

A VINE was luxuriant in the time of vintage with leaves and grapes. A Goat， passing by， nibbled its young tendrils and its leaves. The Vine addressed him and said： “Why do you thus injure me without a cause， and crop my leaves？ Is there no young grass left？ But I shall not have to wait long for my just revenge； for if you now should crop my leaves， and cut me down to my root， I shall provide the wine to pour over you when you are led as a victim to the sacrifice.”

葡萄籐刚刚长出嫩绿的新芽，母山羊就非常粗暴地去吃它的嫩叶。葡萄树对母山羊说：「你太残忍了，为甚么要伤害我刚刚长出的新芽？难道地上没有青草了？吃了我的叶子，你仍会被宰了拿去祭祀，那时我将把酿成的酒洒在你身上。」