It happened that the cat met Mr. Fox in the woods. She thought, "He is intelligent and well experienced, and is highly regarded in the world," so she spoke to him in a friendly manner, "Good-day, my dear Mr. Fox. How is it going? How are you? How are you getting by in these hard times?"
The fox, filled with arrogance, examined the cat from head to feet, and for a long time did not know whether he should give an answer. At last he said, "Oh, you poor beard-licker, you speckled fool, you hungry mouse hunter, what are you thinking? Have you the nerve to ask how I am doing? What do you know? How many tricks do you understand?"
"I understand but one," answered the cat, modestly.
"What kind of a trick is it?" asked the fox.
"When the dogs are chasing me, I can jump into a tree and save myself."
"Is that all?" said the fox. "I am master of a hundred tricks, and in addition to that I have a sackful of cunning. I feel sorry for you. Come with me, and I will teach you how one escapes from the dogs."
Just then a hunter came by with four dogs. The cat jumped nimbly up a tree, and sat down at its top, where the branches and foliage completely hid her.
"Untie your sack, Mr. Fox, untie your sack," the cat shouted to him, but the dogs had already seized him, and were holding him fast.
"Oh, Mr. Fox," shouted the cat. "You and your hundred tricks are left in the lurch. If you been able to climb like I can, you would not have lost your life."
A bad beginning makes a bad ending.不善始者不善终。
A bad workman always blames his tools.不会撑船怪河弯。
A bird in the hand is worth than two in the bush.
一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林。
A bad thing never dies.遗臭万年。
A boaster and a liar are cousins－german.吹牛与说谎本是同宗。
A bully is always a coward.色厉内荏
A burden of one‘s choice is not felt.爱挑的担子不嫌重。
A candle lights others and consumes itself.蜡烛照亮别人毁灭了自己。
Close mouth catches no flies.病从口入
A cat has 9 lives.猫有九条命。
A cat may look at a king.人人平等。
A constant guest is never welcome.常客令人厌。
Actions speak louder than words事实胜于雄辩。
Adversity leads to prosperity.穷则思变。
Adversity makes a man wise, not rich.逆境出人才。
A fair death honors the whole life.死得其所，流芳百世。
A faithful friend is hard to find.知音难觅。
A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit.吃一堑，长一智。
A fox may grow gray, but never good.江山易改，本性难移。
A friend in need is a friend indeed.患难见真情。
A friend is easier lost than found.得朋友难，失朋友易。
