伊索寓言：猴子和海豚（中英双语）

从前，一艘开往雅典的希腊船舶在离雅典港口比雷埃夫斯不远处失事了。如果不是有海豚帮忙的话，所有人都会被淹死。在那个时代海豚对人类尤其是雅典人十分友善。他们把遇事的人们驮在背上游到岸边。

话说希腊人有个习惯，每当旅行时会把宠物猴或狗带上。所以当一只海豚看见一只猴子在水中挣扎时，他以为那是个人，就让猴子爬到他的背上。然后他带着他向岸边游去。

猴子在海豚的背上坐起来，严肃而庄重。

“你是赫赫有名的雅典的公民，对吗？”海豚礼貌地问道。

“是的，”猴子骄傲地回答。“我的家族是城里最高贵的之一。”

“真的，”海豚说。“那你一定常去拜访比雷埃夫斯。”

“是的，是的，”猴子回答说。“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。”

这个回答让海豚惊讶，他转过头，现在他看清他驮着的是啥了。他二话不说扎了一个猛子，留下愚蠢的猴子自生自灭，而他则游走去寻找一些人类来搭救。

谎言一发而不可收。

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.