There were seven lions who were friends to a cow. One day, the lions invited the cow for a meal.

七只狮子和一头牛决定做朋友。起初，狮子请它们的新朋友吃饭。

They prepared lots of meat to share with the cow. However the cow could not eat the meat but he remained quiet about it and thanked the lions for their hospitality¹.

他们为牛准备了好多食物。 然而，这头牛不吃肉，仍然保持安静，还谢谢狮子们的热情招待。

Later, the cow invited the“0nS be his guests.

后来轮到牛请客了。

The seven lions saw big bundles of fresh grass when they reached the cow's house. They were very surprised.

七只狮子在约定的一天到了牛那儿，它们看见一大堆新鲜的草。狮子们非常惊奇

"Don't you have any meat? Are you going to serve us with grass only? Don't you know that we eat meat?"The cow said nervously², "I think grass tastes better than meat. Try it and see."

“怎么搞的？你没有肉？你不见得请我们吃草吧？”牛胆小他说：“依我看来，草比肉好吃得多。我劝你们试试看。”

"When you were invited as our guest, we did not force you to take the meat, " the lions said, "and we did not ask you to try it.

“我们可没有一定要你吃肉，”狮子们说，“我们没有对你说：‘尔吃’，

But here you are asking us to try eating the grass, If you were sincere about inviting³ us for a meal.

可你一定要我们吃草。要是你真想请客，就应该预备好吃的东西。

You would prepare food in favor of the guests. Without meat to eat, how could it be a feast⁴?¨" But where could I get meat?" the cow argued.

没有肉，算什么筵席呢？”“但是叫我哪儿去找肉呢？”牛替自己辩护说。

The lions said, "It is definitely discourteous⁵! You invited us as your guests but starve us.

这时候狮子们说：“这真是极端的无礼！请我们来吃饭，结果却叫我们挨饿。

If anyone else were to treat us like this, we would tear him into pieces. Since you are our friend, we will be kind to you and eat only one of your legs.

要是别人像你这样的话，我们早就把他撕得粉碎了。可你是我们的朋友，所以我们对你特别宽大。为了表示我们的仁慈，我们只吃掉你一条腿。”

"The cow knew very well that he could not argue with the many more and he trembled as he said, "That's very kind of you.

牛知道跟它们争论是没有用的，只得浑身颤抖他说：“你们待我真好。”

"The lions bit off one of the cow's tegs and enjoyed eating it while he was left there feeding to death. Soon the lions said, "Since the cow is dead, we may as well finish him.

狮子就咬掉可怜的牛的一条后腿，开始吃起来。牛因为流血过多，倒在地上死掉了。

" Thus they continued feasting on the cow. A fox passed bY and wanted to have a taste of the delicious meat too.

于是狮子们决定：“反正这牛已经死了，我们把它全吃光吧。”它们就继续大吃。

So he sneaked⁶ in quietly and carried away the cow's heart. He hid himself behind a tree to enjoy his food.

有一只狐狸正好走过。它也想尝尝美味的肉，于是悄悄地走到近旁，叼着牛心，躲到树背后去。

When the seven lions had eaten up the whole cow, they asked among themselves, "Where is the cow's heart? Do you mean the cow has no heart at all?"

七只狮子把牛吃得连骨头也不剩。它们吃完了互相惊奇地问道：“这牛的心在哪儿？也许它根本没有心吧？”

The fox came out from his hiding place and said, "You're wrong! He has a heart but no brain* Or else he would not be friends with you at all. "

这时候狐狸从躲的地方走出来，一边舔着嘴唇一边说：“你们错了，可敬的先生们。它是有心的，就是没有头脑。不然的话，它也不会跟你们做朋友了。”