An old woman had a cat. The cat was very old; she could not run quickly, and she could not bite, because she was so old. One day the old cat saw a mouse; she jumped and caught the mouse. But she could not bite it; so the mouse got out of her mouth and ran away, because the cat could not bite it.
Then the old woman became very angry because the cat had not killed the mouse. She began to hit the cat. The cat said, "Do not hit your old servant. I have worked for you for many years, and I would work for you still, but I am too old. Do not be unkind to the old, but remember what good work the old did when they were young."
【译文】
《老猫》
一位老妇有只猫，这只猫很老，它跑不快了，也咬不了东西，因为它年纪太大了。一天，老猫发现一只老鼠，它跳过去抓这只老鼠，然而，它咬不住这只老鼠。因此，老鼠从它的嘴边溜掉了，因为老猫咬不了它。
于是，老妇很生气，因为老猫没有把老鼠咬死。她开始打这只猫，猫说：“不要打你的老仆人，我已经为你服务了很多年，而且还愿意为你效劳，但是，我实在太老了，对年纪大的不要这么无情，要记住老年人在年青时所做过的有益的事情。”
2、The Tortoise and the Hare
The Hare was once boasting of his speed before other animals. “I have never been beaten，” said he， “when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me.”
The Tortoise said quietly， “I accept your challenge.” “That is a good joke，” said the Hare； “I could dance round you all the way.” “Keep your boasting till you‘ve won，” answered the Tortoise. “Shall we race？”
So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once， but soon stopped and， to show his contempt for the Tortoise， lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on， and when the Hare awoke from his nap， he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race.
Then the Tortoise said： “Slow but steady progress wins the race.”
【译文】
《乌龟与兔子》
从前有一只兔子，他在其它动物面前吹嘘自己跑得是如何如何的快。
“当我全速奔跑的时候，我从来没有被打败过，”他说，“谁敢跟我比一比？” “我来跟你跑一场”，一只乌龟沉着地说。
“快笑死我了，” 兔子说，“我一边跑一边围着你跳舞都能赢你”。 “你跑赢了再吹牛吧”，乌龟说，“我们可以开始比赛了吗？”
于是，他们确定了一条比赛路线和起点。比赛开始，兔子是嗖的一声就跑得没影了，但他很快就停了下来。 为了让乌龟知道他并没把乌龟放在眼里，兔子决定睡上一觉再接着跑。 这时，乌龟正一点一点艰难地向前爬着。 当兔子一觉醒来，发现乌龟离终点已经很近了，要追已经赶不上了。
这时，乌龟说：“踏踏实实、一步步前进，你就会赢得比赛”。
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