There was a sturdy ram¹ with a pair of thick horns upright on its head.

一头长得非常雄壮的公羊的头上，挺立着一对粗大的犄角。

It strutted² about proudly and saw a fence built with bamboo and wood in front, which blocked its way. It cast a sidelong glance at the fence, lowered its neck and lunged at the fence, hoping to knock it down. The fence remained intact but the ram injured its own horns.

公羊骄傲地踱着步，看见前面有一道竹木编成的篱笆挡住了它的 去路。公羊斜着眼睛看看，便弯下脖子呼的一声撞上去，想把篱笆撞 倒。结果篱笆纹丝不动，它反把自己的犄角碰伤了。

If it had not injured its horns, the ram would have persisted obstinately³ in butting⁴ against the fence, even against the spokes⁵ of a wheel until it bled with a fractured skull⁶.

假如公羊没有碰伤犄角的话，那么它还会一个劲儿地撞下去，甚 至向车轮的辐条上撞去，直到头破血流为止。

As a result, with its horns caught in the fence, the ram could neither advance nor retreat but bleat⁷ helplessly.

结果呢？公羊的犄角被篱笆夹住，进也不得，退也不得，只能“咩 咩”不停地叫唤。