1.父亲和他的儿子 THE FATHER AND HIS SONS
Father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarrelling among themselves.When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations,he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks.When they had done so,he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession,and ordered them to break it in pieces.They each tried with all their strength,and were not able to do it.
He next unclosed the faggot,and took the sticks separately,one by one,and again put them into their hands,on which they broke them easily.He then addressed them in these words：“My sons,if you are of one mind,and unite to assist each other,you will be as this faggot,uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies； but if you are divided among yourselves,you will be broken as easily as these sticks.”
一位父亲有几个孩子,这些孩子时常发生口角.他丝毫没有办法来劝阻他们,只好让他们看看不合群所带来害处的例子.为了达到这个目的,有一天他叫他们替他拿一捆细柴来.当他们把柴带来时,他便先后地将那捆柴放在每一个孩子的手中,吩咐他们弄断这捆柴.他们一个个尽力去试,总是不能成功.
然后他解开那捆柴,一根根地放在他们手里,如此一来,他们便毫不费力地折断了.于是他就告诉他们说：“孩子们!如果你们大家团结一致,互相帮助,你们就像这捆柴一样,不能被你们的敌人折断；但如果你们自行分裂,你们就将和这些散柴一般,不堪一折了.”
2.狮子和老鼠 THE LION AND THE MOUSE
Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face.Rising up in anger,he caught him and was about to kill him,when the Mouse piteously entreated,saying：“If you would only spare my life,I would be sure to repay your kindness.” The Lion laughed and let him go.
It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters,who bound him by strong ropes to the ground.The Mouse,recognizing his roar,came up,and gnawed the rope with his teeth,and setting him free,exclaimed:“You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor； but now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion.”
一只老鼠从一只狮子面前跑过去,将它从梦中吵醒.狮子生气地跳起来,捉住老鼠,要弄死它.老鼠哀求说：“只要你肯饶恕我这条小生命,我将来一定会报答你的大恩.”狮子便笑着放了它.
后来狮子被几个猎人捉住,用粗绳捆绑倒在地上.老鼠听出是狮子的吼声,走来用牙齿咬断绳索,释放了他,并大声说：“你当时嘲笑我想帮你的忙,而且也不指望我有什么机会报答.但是你现在知道了,就算是小老鼠,也能向狮子效劳的.”
