The Goatherd And The Wild Goats

牧羊人和野山羊

by Aesop

出自《伊索寓言》

One cold stormy day a Goatherd drove his Goats for shelter into a cave, where a number of Wild Goats had also found their way. The Shepherd wanted to make the Wild Goats part of his flock; so he fed them well. But to his own flock, he gave only just enough food to keep them alive. When the weather cleared, and the Shepherd led the Goats out to feed, the Wild Goats scampered off to the hills.

大约在冬季的一天，天寒地冻、风雪交加，一个牧羊人赶着他的山羊走进一个洞穴以求庇护。巧的是，一群野山羊也在这个洞里避难。牧羊人呢，就想把这群野山羊也收入麾下；于是，他就好好地招待了它们一顿。不过呢，对他自己的那群羊，他仅喂了点足够保命的食物。当风雪过后，艳阳高照，牧羊人就把这些羊都赶出去觅食，不过，那群野山羊却蹦蹦跳跳地跑进山里去了。

"Is that the thanks I get for feeding you and treating you so well?" complained the Shepherd.

“这就是我好心好意好吃好喝款待你们所得到的回报吗？”牧羊人抱怨着说。

"Do not expect us to join your flock," replied one of the Wild Goats. "We know how you would treat us later on, if some strangers should come as we did."

“我们可不想跟你一起回去，”其中一只野山羊答道。“我们很清楚，跟你回去后如果又遇到一群陌生的羊，你又会怎样对待我们。”

It is unwise to treat old friends badly for the sake of new ones.

正所谓：喜新厌旧不明智。