A FOX swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of the current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long time very much bruised, sick, and unable to move. —
一只狐狸正在快速河流中游泳时，被湍急的水流冲到了一个非常深的峡谷里，他受了很多伤，病倒了，无法移动。 —

A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him. —
一群饥饿的吸血苍蝇降临在他身上。 —

A Hedgehog, passing by, saw his anguish and inquired if he should drive away the flies that were tormenting him. —
一只刺猬经过，看到他的痛苦，问他是否应该驱赶那些折磨他的苍蝇。 —

“By no means,” replied the Fox; —
“绝对不要,” 狐狸回答道; —

“pray do not molest them.” “How is this? —
“请不要打扰它们.” “这是为什么呢？ —

’ said the Hedgehog; “do you not want to be rid of them? —
“刺猬问道; “难道你不想把它们赶走吗？ —

’ “No,” returned the Fox, “for these flies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others more hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left.”
“不,” 狐狸回答道，”因为你看到的这些苍蝇都吸饱了血，对我刺痛很小。如果你把这些已经饱满的苍蝇赶走，更饥饿的苍蝇会取而代之，把我剩下的所有血都吸干。”