here was once a man who raised monkeys at home. In time, he understood the monkeys quite well. The man was not rich and often had to cut down his household expenses to feed the monkeys. When times turned rough, he had to reduce the monkeys'feed as well. The man was afraid that the monkeys would not remain tame. To test their response, he told the monkeys, "Fro, now on, I'll give each of you three chestnuts in the morning and four at night. Is that all right with you?" When the monkeys learned that their ration was to be reduced, they flew into a rage. Seeing how mad the monkeys were, the man corrected himself at once. "All right," he told them, "I'll give you four chestnuts in the morning and three at night then." This satisfied the monkeys, and they all jumped for joy. 从前有个人,在家饲养了一批猴子。久而久之,他很了解猴子的感情。
养猴人并不富有,常常要节衣缩食去喂饱猴子。不过,当境况变得更坏时,他只好减少猴子的食粮。 猴子一听到养猴人要减少它们的食粮,都非常生气。 於是,养猴人马上改口说:「那么,改为早上给四颗,晚上再给三颗。」 猴子就感到满意,欢欣鼓舞起来。 |