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每年，霍乱都会带着她的伙伴——死亡和恐惧来到圣城麦加。然而有一年，恐惧在死亡和霍乱来临之前就来到了这座城市。那位年迈的看门人不认识恐惧，就让她进去了。 霍乱和死亡来到城门时，看门人叫道：“霍乱，你这次准备带走多少人的性命？” "这次我肯定，绝不多于500人。”霍乱说道。 “死亡，你准备带多少？”看门人叫道。 "跟以前一样，霍乱给我多少，我就只带走多少。” 看门人就让他们进去了。 几星期后，霍乱和死亡又回到城门喊看门人："开门。” 看门人问道霍乱，你带走了多少人的性命？" 霍乱回答道：“只有499人。” "死亡，你带走了多少条性命?”看门人问道。 “我带走一千多。” 看门人叫道：“你许诺霍乱给你多少，你就只带走多少的！” 死亡伤心地回答道：“我是这么说的，但是这些人中大多数都是在我们来临之前被单独进城的恐惧给害死的。现在，您知道恐惧的危害比霍乱更大，害死的人比霍乱更多了吧！” The Three Companions Every year Cholera made a visit to the Holy City of Mecca with her companions Death and Fear. One year however, Fear came to the city before Death and Cholera. The old gatekeeper, who did not know Fear, let her enter. When Cholera and Death arrived at the gate, the gatekeeper shouted, “Cholera, how many victims will you take this time?” “Not more than 500，I'm sure this time,” Cholera said. “Death, how many will you take?” the gatekeeper cried. “As always, I will take only what Cholera gives me.，’ The gatekeeper let them enter. Weeks later, Death and Cholera returned and called to the gatekeeper, “Open the gates. ” 44Cholera, how many victims did you take?” the gatekeeper asked. “Only 499，，’ Cholera answered. “And Death, how many did you take?” asked the gatekeeper. “I took more than a thousand.，’ “You promised you'd only take what Cholera gave you!” the gatekeeper cried. “Yes，” Death answered sadly. “Most of those who died were taken by Fear who entered your gate alone before us. Now you know that Fear does more harm and causes more deaths than Cholera!” |
