The Fox and the Hedgehog

　　The Fox and the HedgehogA FOX swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force ofthe current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long timevery much bruised¹, sick, and unable to move.

　　A swarm² of hungryblood-sucking flies settled upon him.

　　A Hedgehog, passing by,saw his anguish³ and inquired if he should drive away the fliesthat were tormenting⁴ him.

　　"By no means," replied the Fox; "praydo not molest⁵ them.""How is this?'

　　said the Hedgehog; "do younot want to be rid of them?'

　　"No," returned the Fox, "for theseflies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little,and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, othersmore hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all theblood I have left."

1 bruised   

[医]青肿的，瘀紫的

参考例句：

• his bruised and bloodied nose 他沾满血的青肿的鼻子
• She had slipped and badly bruised her face. 她滑了一跤，摔得鼻青脸肿。

2 swarm   

n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入

参考例句：

• There is a swarm of bees in the tree.这树上有一窝蜜蜂。
• A swarm of ants are moving busily.一群蚂蚁正在忙碌地搬家。

3 anguish   

n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼

参考例句：

• She cried out for anguish at parting.分手时，她由于痛苦而失声大哭。
• The unspeakable anguish wrung his heart.难言的痛苦折磨着他的心。

4 tormenting   

使痛苦的，使苦恼的

参考例句：

• He took too much pleasure in tormenting an ugly monster called Caliban. 他喜欢一味捉弄一个名叫凯列班的丑妖怪。
• The children were scolded for tormenting animals. 孩子们因折磨动物而受到责骂。

5 molest   

vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏

参考例句：

• If the man continues to molest her,I promise to keep no measures with the delinquent.如果那人继续对她进行骚扰，我将对他这个违法者毫不宽容。
• If I were gone,all these would molest you.如果没有我，这一切都会来骚扰你。