1.The Dog Who Carried the Meat
1.叼着肉的狗
A dog was crossing a river holding a piece of meat in his mouth. Catching sight of his reflection in the water, he believed that it was another dog who was holding a bigger piece of meat. So, dropping his own piece, he leaped into the water to take the piece from the other dog. But the result was that he ended up with neither piece-one didn't even exist and the other was swept away by the current.
一只狗嘴里叼着一块肉，正在过河看。看到自己在水中的倒影，他以为是另一只狗叼着一大块肉。于是，他放下自己嘴里的肉，跳进水里，想从另一只狗嘴里抢过肉来。但结果是最后他一块肉也没有了：一块根本不存在，而另一块被激流卷走了。
This fable applied to the covetous.
这则寓言适用于贪婪之人。
2.The North Wind and the Sun
2.北风和太阳
The North Wind and the Sun had a contest of strength. They decided to allot the palm of victory to whichever of them could strip the clothes off a traveler.
北风和太阳较量谁的威力大。他们决定谁能剥去一个行人的衣服，谁就是胜利者。
The North Wind first tried his power. He blew with all his might. As the man clung on to his clothes, the North Wind attacked him with greater force. But the man,uncomfortable from the cold, put on more clothes. So, disheartened, the North Wind left him to the Sun.
北风第一个施展威力，他使尽全力刮起来。当行人把一衣服裹紧时，北风更猛烈地吹着他，行人却冷得难受，又穿上了更多的衣裳。最后，北风心灰意冷地把那人交给了太阳。
The Sun shone moderately, and the man removed his extra cloak. Then the Sun darted light which was more scorching until the man, not being able to stand the heat,took off his clothes and went to take a dip in a nearby river.
太阳温和地照着，行人脱掉了添加的斗篷。然后，太阳射出的光更强烈了，行人难耐高温，脱下衣服，跳到附近的河里洗澡去了。
This fable shows that persuasion is often more effective than force.
这则寓言说明，劝说往往比暴力更有效。
3.Cutting a Mark on the Boat to Find the Sword
3.刻舟求剑
One day, a man of the State of Chu was crossing a river by boat. Due to carelessness,his sword which hung at his side fell into the water. Not in the least worried, he slowly took out a small knife and cut a mark on the side of the boat.
一天，有个楚国人坐船过河，一不小自，身上挂的宝剑掉进了河里。他一点儿也不着急，慢腾腾地拿出小刀，在船舷上刻了一个记号。
Someone on the boat asked him:
船上有人问他:
"Why don't you jump into the water at once to fish for your sword? What's the use of making his mark on the side of the boat?"
你为什么不马上下水把剑捞上来?你在船舷上刻记号有什么用啊?"
He pointed to the mark on the side of the boat, saying unhurriedly:
他指着船舷上的记号，不慌不忙地说:
"There is no need to worry. My sword fell into the river at this marked place. As soon as the boat reaches the dock and pulls in to shore, I will jump down from here to retrieve my sword."
"不必担心。我的剑是从这个刻着记号的地方掉下去的。等船一到码头，靠了岸，我就从这里跳下去，把宝剑捞上来。"
4.Startling the World with a Single Cry
4.一鸣惊人
It had been three years since King Zhuang of Chu ascended the throne, but he had neither issued a law nor dealt with any state affairs. Furthermore, there were no deeds worth mentioning. All the civil and military officials of the court couldn't understand what was the matter.
楚庄王即位已有三年之久，却没有颁布过一项法令，没有处理过一件政事，更谈不上有什么作为。朝廷中的文武官员都弄不懂这是怎么回事。
One day, a military official quietly asked King of Chu in the carriage:
一天，右司马在马车里悄悄地问楚王:
"Your Majesty, I heard that in the south, there was a big bird dwelling in the hills.Three years passed, it neither flew nor cried. Could Your Majesty tell me the reason?"
"大王，我听说南方有一只大鸟栖息在山上，:二年过去了，既不飞.也下鸣。请问大王，这是什么原因呢?"
King Zhuang of Chu smiled and answered:
楚庄王笑了笑，回答说:
"It didn't spread its wings to fly for three years in order to grow full-fledged. It didn't cry for three years in order to carefully observe the conditions of the people in the world. This bird, once it flies, will soar high into the sky; once it cries, it will startle the world with a single cry."
"三年不展翅飞，是为了让羽翼长得更加丰满；三年不鸣，是在细心观察天下的民情。这只鸟，不飞则已，一飞冲天;不鸣则已，一鸣惊人，"
Another half a year passed before King Zhuang of Chu began to personally dminister state affairs. He abolished the old rules and regulations, issued nine new policies, sentenced five ministers to death for their evil deeds and promoted six persons with real talents. From then on, the state of Chu became stronger and stronger.
又过了半年，楚庄王开始亲自处理政事。他废除了十项旧的规章制度;颁布了九项新政策;处决了五个专千坏事的大臣;还提拔了六个真正有才能的人。从此，楚国终于强大起来了。
