The Two Mules

There were two heavily-laden mules making a journey together. One was carrying oats and the other bore a parcel of silver money collected from the people as a tax upon salt. This, we learn, was a tax which produced much money for the government, but it bore very hard upon the people, who revolted many times against it.

有两匹骡子驮着沉重的货物一起赶路。一匹驮着燕麦，另一匹驮着从百姓那里征收来的盐税银钱。据说，这项税收为政府带来了大量钱财，却让百姓苦不堪言，他们曾多次反抗这项税收。

The mule that carried the silver was very proud of his burden, and would not have been relieved of it if he could. As he stepped out he took care that the bells upon his harness should jingle well as became a mule of so much importance.

驮银子的那匹骡子对自己驮的东西感到十分自豪，即便可以卸下重担，它也不愿意。它走起路来格外留意，要让马具上的铃铛响得清脆悦耳，好显得自己身份不凡。

Suddenly a band of robbers burst into the road, pounced upon the treasure mule, seized it by the bridle, and stopped it short. Struggling to defend itself the unhappy creature groaned and sighed as it cried: "Is this then the fate that has been in store for me: that I must fall and perish whilst my fellow traveller escapes free from danger?"

突然，一伙强盗冲上路来，扑向那匹驮着财宝的骡子，一把抓住缰绳，逼它停下。这可怜的家伙拼命挣扎抵抗，一边呻吟叹息一边哭喊道：“难道这就是命中注定要我遭遇的下场吗？我必将倒下丧命，而我的同伴却能安然无恙地逃脱危险？”

"My friend," exclaimed the mule that carried only the oats, and whom the robbers had not troubled about, "it is not always good to have exalted work to do. Had you been like me, a mere slave to a miller, you would not have been in such a bad way now!"

“我的朋友，”那匹只驮着燕麦、强盗根本没搭理的骡子说道，“担当显赫的差事未必总是好事。你要是像我一样，只不过是磨坊主的一个卑微仆役，现在也不会落到这般田地了！”