English Original
A man bought a donkey at the market and took him home on approval. He already owned several donkeys and knew each one's character well.
One donkey was strong and brave. Another was eager to please but quickly exhausted. A third was very lazy. He hated work, did as little as possible, and always tried to be last when loading to get the lightest burden.
The man led the new donkey into the stable yard. After a moment sniffing his new companions, the new donkey, without hesitation, trotted up to the lazy one and began feeding comfortably beside him.
Though it was late, the man immediately led the new donkey straight back to the market.
"You cannot have given him a fair trial yet," said the merchant. "It is only ten minutes since you bought him."
"I don't need to try him any more," replied the man. "I know just what he is like from the friend he chose for himself. Take him away and give me my money back. I can do without donkeys like him."
中文翻译
一个人从市场买了一头驴，带回家试用。他已经拥有好几头驴，并且非常了解每头驴的品性。
一头驴强壮勇敢。另一头急于讨好但很快就筋疲力尽。还有一头非常懒惰。它讨厌工作，整天尽可能少干活，装货时总是试图排在最后，以得到最轻的负担。
这个人把新驴带进牲口棚的院子。新驴嗅了嗅它的新伙伴片刻后，便毫不犹豫地小跑到那头懒驴身边，开始舒服地在它旁边吃起草来。
尽管天色已晚，这个人还是立即牵着新驴径直返回了市场。
"你肯定还没好好试过它呢，"商人说。"你买下它才十分钟。"
"我不需要再试了，"这个人回答。"从它为自己选择的朋友，我就知道它是什么样子了。把它牵走，把钱退给我。我不需要这样的驴。"