英文幽默故事：The Rightful Owner

One day, the cow fell ill and stopped giving milk. Thinking she would never recover, Gopal drove her out of his house. “Now my owner does not need me. I will never return to him," thought the sad cow and ran away. 

 

On the way, the hungry cow fell unconscious. Dharma, a kind-hearted farmer noticed her and brought her to his house. 

 

After a few days the cow recovered. Dharma thought, “I wonder who this cow belongs to." But he was unable to find the owner. Soon, the cow gave birth to a calf¹ and started giving milk again. Dharma fed her well and looked after the calf, too. By selling the cow’s milk, Dharma became a wealthy man. Everyone wanted to buy Dharma’s cow’s milk. The cow’s fame spread everywhere. 

 

Gopal too came to know about this event. “I wonder if that cow is the same one I had driven away," thought Gopal. When Gopal went to Dharma’s house, he found that is was indeed his cow. “That cow belongs to me," said Gopal. But Dharma refused to return the cow. 

 

“I will take the help of the Village Administration," shouted Gopal. And next day, the Village Administrator² heard this case. Immediately, the Village Administration Council assembled. Every one was eager to know what the judgment³ would be. “Let the cow decide for herself who she want to live with," said the Village Administrator. 

 

So the cow was placed between Dharma and Gopal. The cow was asked by the Village Administrator to with the person whom she wanted to live with. The cow walked away from Gopal and started licking⁴ Dharma’s hand. She knew the difference between Gopal’s selfishness and Dharma’s kindness. The Village Administrator handed over the cow to the rightful owner, Dharma.  

1 calf   

n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮

参考例句：

• The cow slinked its calf.那头母牛早产了一头小牛犊。
• The calf blared for its mother.牛犊哞哞地高声叫喊找妈妈。

2 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

3 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

4 licking   

n. 殴打，挫败 动词lick的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The steak is so delicious that he's licking his lips. 牛排这么香，使得他垂涎欲滴了。
• The little boy is licking the ice-cream cone. 小男孩在舔着冰淇淋蛋卷。