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有两个人，一个只讲实话，一个总是说谎话。一次，他俩一起去旅行，刚好来到了一个叫猿猴国的地方。 一只自称是国王的猿猴，吩咐手下把这两个人抓住，带到自己面前，因为它想知道人类对自己的看法。接着，猿猴国王又命令所有的猿猴按照人类的习惯，在自己的左右两边排成长队,再给自己抬出来一个王座。 等一切准备就绪后，猿猴国王就示意手下把这两个人带过来问话。它首先问道：“异乡人啊！你们觉得我像什么样的国王呢?” 那个爱说谎的人回答说:“我觉得,您像一个最威严的国王。” “我身边的这些随从呢?” “它们呀，”那个人接着说道，“全都是您的左膀右臂，起码能当个大使什么的,个个都能统率千军万马。”听了这些谎话，猿猴国王和它的手下都很高兴。于是，猿猴国王命人给这个马屁精送了一份厚礼。 这时，爱说实话的人心想：“假如说谎都能得到厚礼，要是我像从前一样，只说实话，那还不是要啥有啥呀?”他正这样想着，猿猴国王急忙转过身来问他：“请问,你觉得我和我这些朋友们都怎么样呀?” “你呀，”他说,“是一只最出类拔萃的猿猴,你的伙伴们也跟你一样，统统都出类拔萃。”听了这些实话,猿猴国王暴跳如雷，立刻把这个人交给同伴们又抓又咬。 具体问题具体分析，真诚也该因人而异。 The Apes and the Two Travelers Two men, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to the land of apes. One of the apes，who had raised himself to be king，commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation，“What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, our strangers?” The lying traveler replied, “You seem to me a most mighty king.” And what is your estimate of those you see around me?” These,” he made answer, “are worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies. ’’The ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful traveler thought to himself, “ If so great a reward be given fur a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth The ape quickly turned to him. “And how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?” “Thou art，，，he said,“a most excellent ape，and all these thy companions after thy example are excellent apes too.” The king of the apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions. |
