英语童谣：四则寓言[1]

.The Dog Who Carried the Meat

1.叼着肉的狗

A dog was crossing a river holding a piece of meat in his mouth. Catching sight of his reflection in the water, he believed that it was another dog who was holding a bigger piece of meat. So, dropping his own piece, he leaped into the water to take the piece from the other dog. But the result was that he ended up with neither piece-one didn't even existand the other was swept away by the current.

一只狗嘴里叼着一块肉，正在过河看。看到自已在水中的倒影，他以为是另一只狗叼着一大块肉。于是，他放下自己嘴里的肉，跳进水里，想从另一只狗嘴里抢过肉来。但结果是最后他一块肉也没有了：一块根本不存在，而另一块被激流卷走了。

This fable applied to the covetous.

这则寓言适用于贪婪之人。

2.The North Wind and the Sun

2.北风和太阳

The North Wind and the Sun had a contest of strength. They decided to allot the palm of victory to whichever of them could strip the clothes off a traveler.

北风和太阳较量谁的威力大。他们决定谁能剥去一个行人的衣服，谁就是胜利者。

The North Wind first tried his power. He blew with all his might. As the man clung on to his clothes, the North Wind attacked him with greater force. But the man,uncomfortable from the cold, put on more clothes. So, disheartened, the North Wind left him to the Sun.

北风第一个施展威力，他使尽全力刮起来。当行人把一衣服裹紧时，北风更猛烈地吹着他，行人却冷得难受，又穿上了更多的衣裳。最后，北风心灰意冷地把那人交给了太阳。

The Sun shone moderately, and the man removed his extra cloak. Then the Sun darted light which was more scorching until the man, not being able to stand the heat,took off his clothes and went to take a dip in a nearby river.

太阳温和地照着，行人脱掉了添加的斗篷。然后，太阳射出的光更强烈了，行人难耐高温，脱下衣服，跳到附近的河里洗澡去了。

This fable shows that persuasion is often more effective than force.

这则寓言说明，劝说往往比暴力更有效。

3.Cutting a Mark on the Boat to Find the Sword

3.刻舟求剑

One day, a man of the State of Chu was crossing a river by boat. Due to carelessness,his sword which hung at his side fell into the water. Not in the least worried, he slowly took out a small knife and cut a mark on the side of the boat.

一天，有个楚国人坐船过河，一不小自，身上挂的宝剑掉进了河里。他一点儿也不着急，慢腾腾地拿出小刀，在船舷少儿英语