從前,一艘開往雅典的希臘船舶在離雅典港口比雷埃夫斯不遠處失事了。如果不是有海豚幫忙的話,所有人都會被淹死。在那個時代海豚對人類尤其是雅典人十分友善。他們把遇事的人們馱在背上游到岸邊。
話說希臘人有個習慣,每當旅行時會把寵物猴或狗帶上。所以當一隻海豚看見一隻猴子在水中掙扎時,他以為那是個人,就讓猴子爬到他的背上。然後他帶着他向岸邊游去。
猴子在海豚的背上坐起來,嚴肅而莊重。
“你是赫赫有名的雅典的公民,對嗎?”海豚禮貌地問道。
“是的,”猴子驕傲地回答。“我的家族是城裡最高貴的之一。”
“真的,”海豚說。“那你一定常去拜訪比雷埃夫斯。”
“是的,是的,”猴子回答說。“真的,我常去。我老是跟他在一起。比雷埃夫斯是我最好的朋友。”
這個回答讓海豚驚訝,他轉過頭,現在他看清他馱着的是啥了。他二話不說扎了一個猛子,留下愚蠢的猴子自生自滅,而他則遊走去尋找一些人類來搭救。
謊言一發而不可收。
THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN
It happened once upon a time that a certain Greek ship bound for Athens was wrecked off the coast close to Piraeus, the port of Athens. Had it not been for the Dolphins, who at that time were very friendly toward mankind and especially toward Athenians, all would have perished. But the Dolphins took the shipwrecked people on their backs and swam with them to shore.
Now it was the custom among the Greeks to take their pet Monkeys and dogs with them whenever they went on a voyage. So when one of the Dolphins saw a Monkey struggling in the water, he thought it was a man, and made the Monkey climb up on his back. Then off he swam with him toward the shore.
The Monkey sat up, grave and dignified, on the Dolphin's back.
"You are a citizen of illustrious Athens, are you not?" asked the Dolphin politely.
"Yes," answered the Monkey, proudly. "My family is one of the noblest in the city."
"Indeed," said the Dolphin. "Then of course you often visit Piraeus."
"Yes, yes," replied the Monkey. "Indeed, I do. I am with him constantly. Piraeus is my very best friend."
This answer took the Dolphin by surprise, and, turning his head, he now saw what it was he was carrying. Without more ado, he dived and left the foolish Monkey to take care of himself, while he swam off in search of some human being to save.
One falsehood leads to another.