A LION roaming by the seashore saw a Dolphin lift up its head out of the waves, and suggested that they contract an alliance, saying that of all the animals they ought to be the best friends, since the one was the king of beasts on the earth, and the other was the sovereign ruler of all the inhabitants of the ocean. —
一只狮子在海岸边漫步，看到一只海豚将头从海浪中探出来，建议他们结盟，称他们应该成为最好的朋友，因为狮子是陆地上的兽王，海豚是海洋中所有生物的统治者。 —

The Dolphin gladly consented to this request. —
海豚欣然同意了这个请求。 —

Not long afterwards the Lion had a combat with a wild bull, and called on the Dolphin to help him. —
不久之后，狮子与一只野牛搏斗，呼唤海豚帮助他。 —

The Dolphin, though quite willing to give him assistance, was unable to do so, as he could not by any means reach the land. —
尽管海豚非常愿意帮助他，但由于无法到达陆地，无法做到。 —

The Lion abused him as a traitor. —
狮子谴责他为叛徒。 —

The Dolphin replied, “Nay, my friend, blame not me, but Nature, which, while giving me the sovereignty of the sea, has quite denied me the power of living upon the land.”
海豚回答：“不，我的朋友，不要责怪我，而是要责怪大自然。它给予我海洋的统治权，却完全剥夺了我在陆地上生活的能力。”