雙語詩歌翻譯|《古代寓言·蟬、螳螂、黃雀》

“螳螂捕蟬，黃雀在后”出自《說苑·正諫》。諷刺了那些只顧眼前利益，不顧身后禍患的人；對鼠目寸光、利令智昏、不顧后患的這類人提出警告。

《古代寓言·蟬、螳螂、黃雀》

園中有樹，其上有蟬。

蟬方奮翼悲鳴，欲飲露，不知螳螂之在其后，曲其頸，欲攫而食之。

螳螂方欲食蟬，而不知黃雀在其后，舉其頸，欲啄而食之也。

黃雀方欲食螳螂，不知童子挾彈丸在其下，迎而欲彈之。

——《說苑》

The Cicada, the Praying Mantis and the Sparrow

There is a tree in the garden, and on it there is a cicada. This cicada perches up there, chirping away and drinking the dew, not knowing that there is a praying mantis behind it. And the praying mantis leans forward, raising its forelegs to catch the cicada, not knowing that there is a sparrow beside it. The sparrow, again, cranes its neck to peck at the praying mantis, not knowing that there is someone with a catapult waiting below.

--The Garden of Anecdotes