A sheep was once forced to submit to much harm from the other animals. He therefore appeared before Jupiter, and begged him to lessen¹（减少） his misery². Jupiter appeared willing, and said to the sheep, "I see plainly, my pious³（虔诚的） creature, that I have created you too defenseless . Now choose how I had best remedy this fault. Shall I arm your jaws⁴ with terrible fangs⁵ and your feet with claws?"

 

"O, no! " exclaimed the sheep, " I will have nothing in common with the beasts of prey⁶."

 

"Or," said Jupiter, " Shall I make your bite poisonous?"

 

"Alas⁷!" replied the sheep, " the poisonous snakes are so sadly detested⁸（厌恶）."

 

"Well, what shall I do ? Shall I plant horns on your forehead, and give strength to your neck?"

 

"Nor that, gracious father; I should then butt⁹ like the goat."

 

"At the same time you would be able to injure others, if I gave you the means of defending yourself."

 

"Should I, indeed? "sighed the sheep. "Oh! Then leave me, merciful father, as I am. For the power of injuring would, I am fearful, awake the desire of doing so; and it is better to suffer harm, than to inflict¹⁰ it."

 

Jupiter blessed the pious sheep, who ceased from that moment his complaints.

点击收听单词发音