The Ass，the Ox and the Birds

    An ass¹ and an ox，fastened to the same yoke，were draging a waggon²．While the ox was pulling with all his might he he broke a horn．The ass swore that he had got no help whatever from his weak companion．Exerting himself in the labour，the ox broke the other horn，and at length fell dead on the ground．Presently，the herdsman loaded the ass with the dead ox，and he broke down amid a thousand blows，and stretched in the middle of the road，expired．The birds flying to the prey，exclaimed，“If you had shown your compassion³ to the ox when he entreated⁴ you，you would not have died untimely and be- come food to us．”
    Exercises：
    判断对（T）、错（F）：
    ① While the ox was pulling with all his might，he broke his twohorns at the same time．② The ass swore at the ox because he didn't get any help fromthe ox．③ The ass broke down amid a thousand blows，still living．④ If the ass had shown his compassion to the ox when the ox en- treated him，the ass would not have been food for the birds．

1 ass   

n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人

参考例句：

• He is not an ass as they make him.他不象大家猜想的那样笨。
• An ass endures his burden but not more than his burden.驴能负重但不能超过它能力所负担的。

2 waggon   

n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱

参考例句：

• The enemy attacked our waggon train.敌人袭击了我们的运货马车队。
• Someone jumped out from the foremost waggon and cried aloud.有人从最前面的一辆大车里跳下来，大声叫嚷。

3 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。

4 entreated   

恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They entreated and threatened, but all this seemed of no avail. 他们时而恳求，时而威胁，但这一切看来都没有用。
• 'One word,' the Doctor entreated. 'Will you tell me who denounced him?' “还有一个问题，”医生请求道，“你可否告诉我是谁告发他的？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记