The Rat Retired from the World

The ancients had a legend which told of a certain rat who, weary of the anxieties of this world, retired to a cheese, therein to live in peace. Profound solitude reigned around the hermit. He worked so hard with his feet and his teeth that in a few days he had a spacious dwelling and food in plenty. What more could he desire? He thrived well, growing large and fat. Blessings are showered upon those who are vowed to simplicity and renunciation!

古人有一则传说，讲的是一只老鼠厌倦了尘世的种种烦忧，便隐居到一块奶酪里，想在那里过清静日子。这位隐士周围一片深沉的寂静。他用牙齿和爪子拼命干活，没几天工夫，就凿出了一间宽敞的居室，还储备了充足的食物。他还能再奢求什么呢？他过得十分滋润，渐渐长得又肥又壮。福气总是眷顾那些立誓过简朴清心、与世无争生活的人！

One day a deputation from Rat-land waited upon him, begging that out of his abundance he would grant a slight dole towards fitting out a journey to a strange country where the rats hoped to get succour in their great war against the cat-tribe. Ratopolis was besieged, and owing to the poverty of the beleaguered republic they were forced to start with empty wallets. They asked but little, believing that in a few days help would arrive.

有一天，一队来自鼠国的使者前来拜见他，恳求他从自己的丰厚储备中，拨出一点点资助，好让他们置办行装，前往一个陌生的国度，希望在那里为他们与猫族的殊死大战求得援助。老鼠之都正遭围困，由于这个被围城邦一贫如洗，他们被迫两手空空地出发。他们要求的并不多，只盼着几天之内援兵便能到来。

"My friends," said the hermit, "earthly affairs no longer concern me. In what way could a poor recluse assist you? What could he do but pray for the help you need! My best hopes and wishes you may be assured of." With these words this latest among the saints shut his door.

“朋友们，”这位隐士说道，“尘世间的事务，我早已不再挂心。一个可怜的隐修者，又能怎样帮得上你们呢？除了为你们祈求所需的援助之外，他还能做什么！你们尽可放心，我会为你们献上最美好的祝愿与祈祷。”说罢，这位最新晋的圣者便关上了他的门。

Whom have I in mind, do you think, when I speak of this rat, so sparing of his help? A monk?—Oh, no! A dervish rather, for a monk, I suppose, is at all times charitable.

诸位以为我这里说的，是指哪一种老鼠呢——这般吝于援手的家伙？一个修士？——哦，不是的！倒不如说是个苦行僧，因为依我看，修士向来都是乐善好施的。