242. The Flea And The Ox A Flea thus questioned the Ox: "What ai ls you, that, being so huge and strong, you submit to the wrongs you receive from men, and thus slave for them day by day; while I, being so small a creature, merciless their flesh, and drink their blood without stint?" The Ox replied: "I do not wish to be ungrateful; for I am loved and well cared for by men, and they often pat my head and shoulders." "Woe's me!" said the Flea; "this very patting which you like, whenever it happens to me, brings with it my inevitabl e destruction" | 242. 跳蚤和牛 一只跳蚤这样对牛说:「你多么苦恼啊,你既是这么硕大强壮,却甘受人们的虐待,并且每天为他们做苦工;而我虽然是这么渺小的一个生物,却毫无怜惜地吃他们的肉,喝他们的血,无拘无束的。」 牛回答说:「我不愿忘恩负义;因为人们对我非常好,他们常常拍拍我的头和肩膀哩。」 跳蚤便说:「呵!原来你喜欢这种轻拍,如果换作是我,无论什么时候,我都会死在他们的手里了。」 |