《鰈魚》故事正文
魚類王國一直就沒有秩序可言,魚兒們對此早就很不滿意了。它們誰都不為別人讓路,左游右游,想怎樣就怎樣,它們或是在那些聚在一起的魚中間橫沖直闖,或是任意擋他人的道。大的總是用它們的尾巴摔打弱小的魚,把它們趕得遠遠的,或者不由分說地吃掉它們。它們說:“要是我們中間有個國王,他既能實施法律,又能主持正義,那該多好啊!”于是大伙兒商議,誰能在浪潮中游得最快,又能幫助弱小者,就選它為王。
它們在海邊列隊排好。狗魚用它的尾巴發(fā)出信號,于是大伙兒一塊兒往前趕。狗魚像箭一樣地向前沖出了很遠,緊跟其后的有青魚、白楊魚、鱸魚、鯉魚,還有其它所有的魚。
甚至連鰈魚也加入了它們的行列,并希望取勝。這時突然傳來一聲喊聲,“青魚最先!青魚最先!”“誰最先?”那個愛猜忌的鰈魚,已遠遠地落在了后面,口里卻憤怒地叫道,“誰最先?”“青魚!青魚!”有魚答道。這家伙更是妒火中燒,口里直嚷嚷,“那個身子光溜溜的青魚?那個身子光溜溜的青魚?”從此以后,鰈魚受了罰,嘴歪長了。
《鰈魚》英文版
There has always been no order in the fish Kingdom, and the fish have long been dissatisfied with it. They don't make way for others. They swim left and right. They can do whatever they want. They either rush among the fish gathered together, or block others' way at will. The big ones always beat the weak fish with their tails, drive them away, or eat them without saying anything. They said, "if only there were a king among us who could enforce the law and administer justice!" So we discussed who could swim fastest in the wave and help the weak, so we chose it as the king.
They lined up at the seaside. The pike uses its tail to send a signal, so everyone rushes forward together. The pike shot forward like an arrow, followed by herring, poplar, bass, carp and all the other fish.
Even flounder joined them and wanted to win. Then suddenly there was a cry, "herring first! Herring first!" "Who was the first?" The suspicious plaice, far behind, cried angrily, "who was the first?" "Herring! Herring!" Answered the fish. The guy was even more jealous and shouted, "that naked herring? That naked herring?" From then on, the flounder was punished with a long crooked mouth.