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有个菜贩，养了一只驴子，每天要他做很多事情，给他很少的食物吃。这只驴子开始自艾自怨：“遇上这样的主人，是何等的不幸啊！上天对我太不平了，让我这只勤劳肯做的驴子遇上这么一个苛主人。” 他的话被上帝听见了，便问：“驴子，你想要我怎样呢？” “我要换主人。” “可是将来你会后悔自己的这项要求的。” 驴子一再恳求，上帝便将他转卖给一个烧瓦匠。 换了主人，驴子觉得负担更重了，在砖瓦场里的工作也更辛苦。于是他又祈求上帝更换主人，上帝对他说：“可以，不过这是最后一次的请求。” 然后上帝将他卖给一个皮革匠。 换了主人后，驴子觉得加在他身上的工作更重更苦了。一个寂静的夜晚，驴子呻吟着说：“在第一个主人处饿死，或者在第二个主人处工作过度累死，总比卖给现在的主人好得多。我现在的主人，在我活着时要我替他做工；在我死后，还要剥我的皮呢！” 故事哲理： 人当然应该有不断追求理想的心，但在追求之余，也应对目前所拥有的做理性的省思，若不知珍惜现有的一切，而作不切实际的妄想，則有可能失去一切，使自己陷入痛苦的深渊。 The Donkey and His Master Once upon a time, a vegetable pedlar kept a donkey. He assigned him many chores but gave him little food. The donkey started complaining. “How unlucky I have been! God is so unfair to me. I，m willing to work hard but my master does not appreciate me.” When God overheard this, He asked, “What do you expect from me, Donkey?” “I want to have my master changed.” “You may be sorry for making this request.” At the donkey’s continuous pleading, God transferred him to a tile-maker. Now the donkey had to bear with a heavier burden. The donkey started to beg God to have his master changed once again. And God said, “No problem, but this will be your last request.” This time around, God transferred the donkey to a tanner. Having changed his master, the donkey felt that he was encumbered with even tougher jobs. On a silent night, he moaned, l‘I would rather die of hunger at my first master，s place, or die of overwork at my second master’s, than suffering here while I，m still alive, and get myself skinned when I die!” Too much wishful thinking may deprive us of everything and land us in endless hardship). |
