Once upon a time, there was a humble¹ rabbit who had very good manners. One day, he went to a farm to eat some vegetables. When his stomach was full he thought of leaving. Unexpectedly, he met a fox.

从前有一只兔子，它非常谦虚，待人处世也彬彬有礼。有一 天，它到农民的菜园里去摘菜吃。当它把肚子填得胀鼓鼓的，正 准备离开时，遇到了一只狐狸。

The fox was on his way back to the forest. In fact, he tried to steal a chicken but in vain.

这只狐狸正要返回森林。原本它是想到农家院子里去偷只鸡 来，结果一无所获。

He was starving! When the rabbit saw the fox, he was very frightened. He swiftly ran to a cave. Nevertheless, he felt that without permission he should not enter anyone's home. 它肚子饿极了。 兔子见到狐狸，心里一惊，连忙飞快地跑向一个山洞。它知 道未经许可不能随便进入别人的地方，

"I shall greet the cave before I go in, he thought. Thus, he said politely, "Dear Cave, how are You? May I come in?" The big snake inside was so pleased to hear the voice of the rabbit that he said, "

¨应当先跟山洞打个招呼，” 兔子想。于是兔子彬彬有礼地说：¨亲爱的山洞，你好啊！我可以 进来吗？” 洞里的蛇听出这是兔子的声音，真是喜出望外，便回应道：

Hurry up and come in" At once the rabbit knew who was inside the cave. "Excuse me, " he said, "I think my mother is waiting for me at home. Farewell now " The rabbit swiftly turned and dashed off.

¨欢迎！快进来吧！ 兔子一听声音就知道洞里是谁了。 ¨请原谅，¨兔子说，¨我想我妈妈还在家里等我呢！再见！¨ 兔子一拔腿，便跑得不见踪影。

The big snake curled himself up in the cave, feeling very frustrated² He said. "Such a polite rabbit I shouldn’t have answered him at all "

蛇在洞里缩成一团，懊丧地说：¨这只有礼貌的兔子，我真不该应声啊！¨