青蛙求王 The Frogs Asking for a King

 

The Frogs Asking for a King 

    THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King.  Perceiving their simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake.  The Frogs were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid themselves in the depths of the pool.  But as soon as they realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began squatting on it in contempt.  After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign.  He then gave them an Eel to govern them.  When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still another King.  Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there were none left to croak upon the lake. 

青蛙求王

    青蛙們沒(méi)有國(guó)王，大為不快。于是，他們派代表去拜見(jiàn)宙斯，請(qǐng)求給他們一個(gè)國(guó)王。宙斯看到他們?nèi)绱舜辣?，便將一塊木頭扔到了池塘里。青蛙最初聽(tīng)到木頭落下的聲音嚇了一大跳，立刻都潛到池塘的底下去了。后來(lái)當(dāng)木頭浮在水面一點(diǎn)不動(dòng)時(shí)，他們又游出水面來(lái)，終于發(fā)現(xiàn)木頭沒(méi)什么了不起的，大家爬上木塊，坐在它的上面，把開(kāi)始時(shí)的害怕忘得一干二凈。他們覺(jué)得有這樣一個(gè)國(guó)王很沒(méi)面子，又去見(jiàn)宙斯，請(qǐng)求給他們換一個(gè)國(guó)王，說(shuō)第一個(gè)國(guó)王太遲鈍了。宙斯感到十分生氣，便派一條水蛇到他們那里去。結(jié)果青蛙都被水蛇抓去吃了。

這故事說(shuō)明，迷信統(tǒng)治者，不相信自己的力量，只能受制于人，招致災(zāi)難。