During the wars, a soldier looked after his horse with the greatest care. He gave it the best oats to eat and the clearest water to drink.

战争期间，有个士兵对他的马悉心照料。给它吃最好的燕麦, 喝最干净的水。

He rubbed it down when it got wet and covered it with a warm blanket on cold winter nights.

马身上湿了，他就给它擦干；在寒冷的冬夜，他给它盖上温暖的毯子。

As a result, the horse was strong and swift and carried its master safely out of the dangers of war.

因此，这匹马很健壮，跑得很快，驮着它的主人屡屡安全脱险。

When peace came, however, the soldier changed. He put the horse out in a field full of thistles and gave it only a little mouldy hay to eat.

战争结束了，士兵也变了。他把马拉到长满蓟的野地里，只给它一点儿发霉的干草吃。

The stable was a broken-down hut with a leaking roof and a floor made of mud; the only water was in a ditch under the hedge.

给它住的马厩是间破旧不堪的茅草屋，屋顶是漏的，地面是泥土地；喝的水也只是树篱旁小水沟里的水。

During the day the soldier made the horse work hard on his farm, carrying loads of wood and pulling heavy wagons¹.

白天，士兵让马在农场里干重活，不是驮木头，就是拉大车。

After some time war broke out again. The soldier took out his heavy breastplate and boots, strapped² on his pistols and helmet, and went to the field to catch his horse.

过了一段时间，战争又爆发了。士兵拿出沉重的盔甲和靴子，带上手枪和头盔，去野地里牵回他的战马。

Hastily brushing the thistles from its coat, he laid the leather saddle on its back, pulled the bridle³ over its mangy ears and heaved himself up.

他匆匆地刷了刷马身上的蓟，放上皮马鞍，往长癣的马耳朵上套上笼头，翻身上了马背。

For a moment the horse stood motionless. Then gradually its thin legs began to bend and it sank slowly to the ground. The horse gave the soldier a look of reproach.

马一动不动地站了一会儿。随后，它干瘦的腿越来越弯，慢慢地倒在了地上。马用责备的目光看了士兵一眼。

“Master,”it said,“you'll have to fight on foot this time. You have made me work like a mule⁴ and fed me like a goat. I cannot change back into a horse in an instant just because you want me to.”

“主人，”马说，“这回，您得徒步去打仗了。您让我像骡子那样干活儿，却像喂山羊那样喂我。我不可能如您所期望的那样，瞬间变为一匹战马的。”