A PEASANT had in his garden an Apple-Tree which bore no fruit but only served as a harbor for the sparrows and grasshoppers. —
一个农民的花园里有一颗苹果树，没有结果实，只是成为了麻雀和蚱蜢的栖息地。 —

He resolved to cut it down, and taking his axe in his hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. —
他决定砍掉它，拿起斧头，狠狠地砍向它的根部。 —

The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labors. —
麻雀和蚱蜢请求他不要砍掉给他们提供庇护的树，请求他保留它，他们会给他唱歌并减轻他的劳动。 —

He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his axe. —
他没有理会他们的请求，继续用斧头给树砍了第二下和第三下。 —

When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. —
当他砍到树的空洞处时，他发现里面有一个装满蜂蜜的蜂巢。 —

Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his axe, and looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it.
尝过蜂窝里的蜂蜜后，他扔掉了斧头，将这棵树视为神圣的，细心照料着它。

Self-interest alone moves some men.
有些人只为自身利益行动。