A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. —-
一天，一只狐狸不慎掉进了一口深井，无法找到逃生的办法。 —-

A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. —-
一只山羊渴得不行，来到同一口井旁，看见了狐狸，询问水是否好喝。 —-

Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend. —-
狐狸掩饰着他悲惨的遭遇，装出一副开心的样子，大肆夸赞那水，说它好到难以形容，鼓励山羊下去喝。 —-

The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. —-
山羊只顾着自己的口渴，不假思索地跳了下去，但就在他喝水的时候，狐狸告诉他们俩的困境，并提出了一个让他们共同逃脱的计划。 —-

“If,” said he, “you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards. —-
“如果，”他说，“你把前脚放在墙上，低下头，我就会跑上你的背爬出去，然后帮你出来。” —-

” The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. —-
山羊欣然同意，狐狸跳上了他的背。 —-

Steadying himself with the Goat’s horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could. —-
靠着山羊的角保持平衡，狐狸安全地到达了井口，然后尽快逃走了。 —-

When the Goat upbraided him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, “You foolish old fellow! —-
当山羊责备他违背诺言时，他转身大叫道：“傻老家伙！ —-

If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape.”
如果你的脑袋里有和你的胡须上的头发一样多的脑细胞，你在下去之前就不会没有先检查好上面的路，也不会暴露自己于无法逃脱的危险中。”

Look before you leap.
当你跳之前先看一眼（三思而后行）。