双语寓言故事（三百四十三）

The Donkey and His Bell

A farmer had a donkey. The donkey always succeeded in the task given to it by the farmer. The farmer loved the donkey, too, and was always afraid that it had gone astray. To keep the donkey safe, the farmer tied a bell around its neck, so that wherever the donkey went, the farmer could find it exactly as soon as he heard the bell ring.

When the donkey put on the bell, he knew his place in the farmer's heart, and even walked with high pride and high shoulders. He was acutely aware that he was worth a hundred times more! When an ass thinks he is superior to others, his inner joy is complex and subtle.

But I will tell you that before the bell was fastened on the donkey, he was not conspicuous, he could not be noticed, and he lived his life quite easily and without complaint. He kicked oats, vegetables, orchards, until he was full and walked comfortably. But ever since the bell was fastened, our poor donkey has been tinkling and tinkling wherever he goes. In less than a minute the farmer, with his stick in his hand, was running after him two at a time through the fields of oats and kale. Another neighbor heard the bell, picked up something and threw it at the donkey fiercely.

As a result, our poor donkey collapses in autumn. At last, he was only skin and bones, and could not be a donkey.

We should keep a modest attitude and rigorous style of life, can not learn from the proud donkey.

驴子和它的铃铛

一个农夫养了一头驴子。这个驴子总是能成功地完成农夫交给它的任务。农夫对驴子也喜爱有加，总是担心它走失了。为了保护驴子的安全，农夫专门在驴子的脖子上系了一个铃铛，这样，不管驴子走到哪里，只要听见铃铛的响声，农夫就能准确地找到它。

驴子戴上铃铛之后，它就已经知道自己在农夫心中的地位了，连走路都趾高气扬、抬头挺胸了！它深切地觉察到，自己已经是身价百倍了！当驴子以为自己高人一等时，它内心欢喜的滋味是复杂而又微妙的。

可是，我要告诉你们，在驴子没有戴上铃铛之前，它毫不显眼，也不可能引起他人的注意，它的生活倒也过得自在，没有什么怨言。它糟蹋燕麦、蔬菜、果园，直到它吃饱了才舒舒服服地走。可是，自从系上了铃铛，我们可怜的驴子不管走到哪里，它都丁零零地响个不停。不到一分钟，农夫便拿着棍子，从燕麦和甘蓝菜的田地里三步并作两步地追上来了。另一家邻居听到了铃声，就随手拿起一件什么东西，恶狠狠地向驴子的身上砸去。

因此，我们可怜的驴子一到秋天就垮了。最后,它终于只剩下了一身皮包骨，连驴子也做不成了。

我们应该保持谦虚的心态与严谨的生活作风，不能学习骄傲的驴子。