The Donkey and the Lapdog

Once upon a time, there was a big farm. On this farm lived a donkey, a lapdog, and their master. The farmer was very fond of his lapdog. The dog knew many tricks. He made the farmer laugh. The donkey worked very hard for his master. He wanted to please the farmer. But the farmer did not notice. “ I wish I didn’t have to work so hard, ” said the donkey. “ The dog does nothing but the farmer still loves him. I wish I could do nothing. ”

从前，有一个大农场。在这个农场里住着一头驴、一只哈巴狗和它们的主人。 农夫非常喜欢他的哈巴狗。这只狗会很多把戏。他逗得农夫大笑。 驴子为主人努力工作。他想取悦农夫。但农夫没有注意到。 我真希望我不用这么努力。”驴子说。“狗什么都不做，但农夫仍然爱着它。我真希望我什么也不做。”

Of course, the donkey had a warm stable to sleep in. He had lots of food to eat and water to drink . The farmer made sure the donkey was as comfortable as any other donkey. But the donkey was still jealous of the dog. The donkey wanted to live inside the house with the farmer. He wanted to sit around and do nothing, just like the dog.

当然，驴子有一个温暖的马厩可以睡觉。他有很多食物可以吃，也有很多水可以喝。 农夫确保驴子和其他驴子一样舒服。 但驴子仍然嫉妒狗。驴子想和农夫住在房子里。 他想坐着什么也不做，就像狗一样。

One day, the donkey decided to quit being a donkey. “ I am going to be just like the dog, ” said the donkey. “ Then the farmer will love me as much as he loves the dog. ” The donkey ran into his master’s house. He tried to remember what the dog did. The donkey tried to chase his tail like the dog. Then he jumped up and down like the dog.

一天，驴子决定不再做驴子。“我会像狗一样，”驴子说。“那么农夫就会像爱狗一样爱我。” 驴子跑进了主人的家。他试图记起那条狗做了什么。 驴子试图像狗一样追逐尾巴。然后他像狗一样跳上跳下。

“ Where is the farmer?” wondered the donkey. “ No, no . . . no! ” shouted the farmer. The donkey jumped up and landed on the farmer’s lap. Then he licked the farmer’s face, just like the dog. The donkey waited for the farmer to pet him on the head or give him a special treat. But instead of a treat, the donkey got a big surprise.

农夫在哪里？”驴子纳闷。 不，不。不！”农夫喊道。 驴子跳起来，落在农夫的腿上。然后他舔了农夫的脸，就像狗一样。 驴子等着农夫抚摸他的头，或者给他一个特别的奖励。但驴子没有得到奖励，反而得到了一个大惊喜。

“ What a crazy donkey! ” shouted the farmer, as he smacked the donkey on its head. From that day on, the farmer made the donkey work harder and harder. “ I’m so miserable, ” cried the donkey. “ Why did I ever want to be like the dog?” he wailed. It is better to be happy with what you have than to take something you are not fit to receive.

多么疯狂的驴子！”农夫一边拍着驴子的头一边喊道。 从那天起，农夫让驴子越来越努力。 我太惨了，”驴子叫道。“我为什么要像狗一样？”他哀嚎道。 与其接受你不适合接受的东西，不如对你所拥有的感到高兴。