THE WASPS and the Partridges, overcome with thirst, came to a Farmer and besought him to give them some water to drink. —
蜂鸟和鹧鸪非常口渴，他们来到农夫那儿请求给他们一些水喝。 —

They promised amply to repay him the favor which they asked. The Partridges declared that they would dig around his vines and make them produce finer grapes. —
他们保证会丰富地报答他的恩情。鹧鸪承诺会在他的葡萄园周围挖土，使其生出更好的葡萄。 —

The Wasps said that they would keep guard and drive off thieves with their stings. —
蜂鸟说他们会保护并用尾部的刺儿赶走偷东西的人。 —

But the Farmer interrupted them, saying: —
但是农夫打断了他们的话，说道： —

“I have already two oxen, who, without making any promises, do all these things. —
“我已经有两头牛，它们不用做任何承诺，却达到了上述这些事情。 —

It is surely better for me to give the water to them than to you.”
对我来说，给水给牛肯定比给你们更好。”