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

    青蛙們沒有國王，大為不快。于是，他們派代表去拜見宙斯，請求給他們一個國王。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。后來當木頭浮在水面一點不動時，他們又游出水面來，終于發(fā)現(xiàn)木頭沒什么了不起的，大家爬上木塊，坐在它的上面，把開始時的害怕忘得一干二凈。他們覺得有這樣一個國王很沒面子，又去見宙斯，請求給他們換一個國王，說第一個國王太遲鈍了。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。