The Sick Lion

A lion, no longer able, from the weakness of old age, to hunt for his prey, laid himself up in his den, and, breathing with great difficulty, and speaking with a low voice, gave out that he was very ill indeed. The report soon spread among the beasts, and there was great lamentation for the sick lion. One after the other came to see him; but, catching him thus alone, and in his own den, the lion made an easy prey of them, and grew fat upon his diet.

　　The fox, suspecting the truth of the matter, came at length to make his visit of inquiry, and standing at some distance, asked his Majesty how he did? "Ah, my dearest friend," said the lion, "Is it you? Why do you stand so far from me? Come, sweet friend, and pour a word of consolation in the poor lion's ear, who has but a short time to live."

　　"Bless you!" said the fox, "but excuse me if I cannot stay; for, to tell the truth, I feel quite uneasy at the mark of the foot-steps that I see here, all printing towards your den, and none returning outwards."

　　Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.


病狮
　　一头年老体弱的狮子，无力自行觅食，只好躺在洞穴里；他呼吸困难，说话有气无力，一脸病入膏肓的样子。这消息很快在兽群之间传开了，大家都为病狮哀伤不已。他们一个接一个地来探望他；哪知道这头狮子就这样待在自己的洞穴里，轻而易举地把探望者一个个捉住吃掉，把自己养得胖胖的。

　　狐狸对这件事有点怀疑，最后也来看个究竟。他站得远远的恭问万兽之王安好。狮子道“啊，我最亲爱的朋友，是你呀！为什么站得那么远？来，好朋友，在我这可怜的狮子耳边说句安慰的话吧，我快不行啦。”

　　“愿上帝保佑你！”狐狸说：“但请原谅，我不能久留。老实说，我感到十分不安。我看到这里许多脚印都是只向府上走进来，没有一个是走出来的哩！”