伊索寓言是一组古希腊的寓言故事,据说是由奴隶伊索所著。以下是几个著名的伊索寓言的原始版本:
1. 狐狸和葡萄
原文:狐狸看到藤上挂着一串葡萄,它跳起来想去摘,但是够不着。它只好走开,边走边说:“这些葡萄是酸的,我才不想吃呢。”
英文:A fox saw some grapes hanging from a vine and tried to reach them. He jumped and missed. Disappointed, he went away and said, "These grapes are sour, and I don't want them."
2. 乌鸦和狐狸
原文:一只乌鸦发现了一块奶酪,它用嘴巴啄奶酪,但是奶酪太重了,乌鸦啄了几次都没有成功。这时,一只狐狸走过来,它对乌鸦说:“乌鸦,你为什么啄奶酪?”乌鸦回答说:“我在练习啄东西。”狐狸说:“那你为什么不用你的爪子呢?”乌鸦无言以对。
英文:A crow found a piece of cheese and tried to peck at it, but it was too heavy. The fox came along and said, "Crow, why are you pecking at the cheese?" The crow replied, "I am practicing pecking." The fox said, "Why don't you use your claws?" The crow had no answer.
3. 龟兔赛跑
原文:一只乌龟和一只兔子比赛跑步。兔子跑得很快,但是它太自信了,所以停下来休息。乌龟慢慢但稳稳地跑,最终超过了兔子,赢得了比赛。
英文:A tortoise and a hare raced. The hare ran very fast, but he was so confident that he stopped to rest. The tortoise ran slowly but steadily and eventually passed the hare to win the race.
这些故事至今仍广为流传,被翻译成多种语言,并在世界各地广受欢迎。伊索寓言通过简单的故事传达深刻的道理,至今仍具有很高的教育价值。