毒蛇与老鹰
by Aesop
出自《伊索寓言》
A Serpent had succeeded in surprising an Eagle and had wrapped himself around the Eagle's neck. The Eagle could not reach the Serpent, neither with beak nor claws. Far into the sky he soared trying to shake off his enemy. But the Serpent's hold only tightened, and slowly the Eagle sank back to earth, gasping for breath.
一条毒蛇出其不意地把自己缠绕在了一只老鹰的脖子上。老鹰不论是用喙还是爪子，都够不着毒蛇。他径直飞向天空试着甩掉敌人。但毒蛇缠绕的更紧了，渐渐地老鹰又气喘吁吁地落到了地面上。
A Countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity for the noble Eagle he rushed up and soon had loosened the coiling Serpent and freed the Eagle.
一个乡下人碰巧路过，发现了这起不公平的搏斗。他对那只高贵的老鹰感到怜惜，就冲上去松开了那紧紧缠着的蛇，让老鹰重获自由。
The Serpent was furious. He had no chance to bite the watchful Countryman. Instead he struck at the drinking horn, hanging at the Countryman's belt, and into it let fly the poison of his fangs.
毒蛇愤怒了。但他又没办法咬到那谨慎的乡下人。于是，他就把目标转向挂在乡下人腰间的牛角杯，用毒牙滴进了一些毒液。
The Countryman now went on toward home. Becoming thirsty on the way, he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to drink. There was a sudden rush of great wings. Sweeping down, the Eagle seized the poisoned horn from out his savior's hands, and flew away with it to hide it where it could never be found.
然后，乡下人就回家了。在回家的路上，他口渴了，就把自己的牛角杯盛满了甘泉。正当他要喝下去的时候，突然传来了巨翅的急剧扑腾声。老鹰猛冲下来，从他的救命恩人手中抓住了有毒的牛角杯，接着就飞走把那杯子藏在了一个没有人能找到的地方。
An act of kindness is well repaid.
寓意：善有善报。
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