The Peacock and the Fox

 A Fox, who had an eye on a Peacock, was one day standing¹ in a field with his face turned up to the sky.

 

"Reynard," said the Peacock, "what have you been doing?"

 

"Oh, I have been counting the stars," said the Fox.

 

"How many are they?" said the Peacock.

 

"About as many as the fools on earth," said the Fox.

 

"But which do you think is the greater, the number of the stars or of the fools?" asked the Peacock.

 

"If you put it so, I should say the fools are more by one," said the

Fox.

 

"Who is that one?" said the Peacock.

 

"Why, my own silly self!" said the Fox.

 

"How are you silly, Reynard?" questioned the Peacock.

 

"Why, was it not foolish of me to count the stars in the sky, when I could have counted the stars in your brilliant plumage to better advantage?" said the Fox.

 

"No, Reynard," said the Peacock, "therein is not your folly—although there is neither wit nor wisdom in your prattle—but in the thought that your fine words would make an easy prey² of me!"

 

The Fox quietly left the place, saying: "The Knave³ that hath been found out cannot have legs too quick."

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

3 knave   

n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克

参考例句：

• Better be a fool than a knave.宁做傻瓜，不做无赖。
• Once a knave,ever a knave.一次成无赖，永远是无赖。