2013高中英语阅读素材：The Fox and the Horse 狐狸和马.docVIP

The Fox and the Horse 狐狸和马 一个农夫有一匹勤勤恳恳、任劳任怨为他干活的马，但这匹马现在已经老了，干活也不行了，所以，农夫不想再给马吃东西。他对马说：“我再也用不着你了，你自己离开马厩走吧，到你比一头狮子更强壮时，我自然会把你牵回来的。” 说完，他打开门，让马自己去谋生去了。 A peasant had a faithful horse which had grown old and could do no more work, so his master no longer wanted to give him anything to eat and said, I can certainly make no more use of you, but still I mean well by you, and if you prove yourself still strong enough to bring me a lion here, I will maintain you. But for now get out of my stable. And with that he chased him into the open field. The horse was sad, and went to the forest to seek a little protection there from the weather. There the fox met him and said, Why do you hang your head so, and go about all alone? Alas, replied the horse, greed and loyalty do not dwell together in one house. My master has forgotten what services I have performed for him for so many years, and because I can no longer plow well, he will give me no more food, and has driven me out. Without giving you a chance? asked the fox. The chance was a bad one. He said, if I were still strong enough to bring him a lion, he would keep me, but he well knows that I cannot do that. The fox said, I will help you. Just lie down, stretch out as if you were dead, and do not stir. The horse did what the fox asked, and then the fox went to the lion, who had his den not far off, and said, A dead horse is lying out there. Just come with me, and you can have a rich meal. The lion went with him, and when they were both standing by the horse the fox said, After all, it is not very comfortable for you here - I tell you what -I will fasten it to you by the tail, and then you can drag it into your cave and eat it in peace. This advice pleased the lion. He positioned himself, and in order that the fox might tie the horse fast to him, he kept completely quiet. But the fox tied the lions legs together with the horses tail, and twisted and fastened everything so well and so strongly that no amount of strength could pu