Mule, Jackal, and Lion

 The Mule¹, the Jackal, and the Lion went in company.

 

"We will eat the one whose race is bad," they said to each other.

 

"Lion, who is your father?"

 

"My father is a lion, and my mother is a lioness."

 

"And you, Jackal, what is your father?"

 

"My father is a jackal, and my mother too."

 

"And you, Mule, what is your father?"

 

"My father is an ass², and my mother is a mare³."

 

"Your race is bad; we will eat you."

 

He answered them: "I will consult an old man. If he says that my race is bad, you may devour⁴ me."

 

He went to a farrier, and said to him, "Shoe my hind⁵ feet, and make the nails stick out well."

 

He went back home. He called the Camel and showed him his feet, saying, "See what is written on this tablet."

 

"The writing is difficult to decipher," answered the Camel. "I do not understand it, for I only know three words—outini, ouzatini, ouazakin."

 

He called the Lion, and said to him, "I do not understand these letters; I only know three words—outini, ouzatini, ouazakin."

 

"Show it to me," said the Lion. He approached. The Mule struck him between the eyes and stretched him out level.

 

He who goes with a knave⁶ is betrayed by him.

1 mule   

n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人

参考例句：

• A mule is a cross between a mare and a donkey.骡子是母马和公驴的杂交后代。
• He is an old mule.他是个老顽固。

2 ass   

n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人

参考例句：

• He is not an ass as they make him.他不象大家猜想的那样笨。
• An ass endures his burden but not more than his burden.驴能负重但不能超过它能力所负担的。

3 mare   

n.母马，母驴

参考例句：

• The mare has just thrown a foal in the stable.那匹母马刚刚在马厩里产下了一只小马驹。
• The mare foundered under the heavy load and collapsed in the road.那母马因负载过重而倒在路上。

4 devour   

v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷

参考例句：

• Larger fish devour the smaller ones.大鱼吃小鱼。
• Beauty is but a flower which wrinkle will devour.美只不过是一朵，终会被皱纹所吞噬。

5 hind   

adj.后面的，后部的

参考例句：

• The animal is able to stand up on its hind limbs.这种动物能够用后肢站立。
• Don't hind her in her studies.不要在学业上扯她后腿。

6 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。