English Original
Two or three hundred years ago, when people were far less crafty and cunning than they are today, an extraordinary event occurred in a little town. By some mischance, a great horned owl had flown from the neighboring woods into a townsfolk's barn at night. When day broke, it dared not venture forth again for fear of the other birds, which raised a terrible outcry whenever it appeared.
In the morning, a servant went into the barn to fetch straw. He was so mightily alarmed at the sight of the owl sitting in a corner that he ran to his master, announcing that a monster—unlike anything he had ever seen, capable of devouring a man with ease—was in the barn, rolling its eyes.
"I know you," said the master. "You're brave enough to chase a blackbird, but need a stick to approach a dead hen. I must see this monster for myself." He boldly entered the granary, but upon seeing the strange, grim creature, he was no less terrified than the servant. With two bounds, he sprang out, ran to his neighbors, and imploringly begged for assistance against this unknown, dangerous beast, lest it break loose and endanger the whole town.
A great clamour arose. The townsmen armed themselves with spears, hay-forks, scythes, and axes, as if marching against an enemy. The senators appeared, led by the burgomaster. They drew up in the marketplace and marched to surround the barn.
One of the most courageous stepped forth, spear lowered, and entered. He immediately ran out with a shriek, pale as death, unable to speak. Two others ventured in but fared no better.
Finally, a man famous for his warlike deeds stepped forward. "Merely looking won't drive the monster away," he said. "We must be earnest, but I see you've all turned into women, with none daring to encounter the beast." He ordered armour, a sword, and a spear, and armed himself. All praised his courage, though many feared for his life.
The barn doors were opened, revealing the owl perched on a great cross-beam. A ladder was brought. As the hero raised it and prepared to climb, the crowd cried for him to be brave and commended him to St. George, the dragon-slayer.
Just as he reached the top, the owl—perceiving his intent, bewildered by the crowd and shouting—rolled its eyes, ruffled its feathers, flapped its wings, snapped its beak, and cried "Tuwhit, tuwhoo" in a harsh voice.
"Strike home! Strike home!" screamed the crowd.
"Anyone standing where I am," he answered, "would not cry 'strike home'!" He planted his foot one rung higher, then began to tremble, half-fainted, and retreated.
Now, no one dared face the danger. "The monster has poisoned and mortally wounded our strongest man merely by snapping and breathing on him!" they said. "Shall we risk our lives too?" They took counsel on how to prevent the town's destruction.
After much deliberation, the burgomaster found an expedient. "My opinion," he said, "is that we should pay the owner from the common purse for the barn and all its contents—corn, straw, hay—to indemnify him. Then, burn down the whole building with the terrible beast inside. Thus, no one endangers his life. This is no time for niggardliness."
All agreed. They set fire to the barn at all four corners, and the owl was miserably burnt. Let anyone who doubts this go thither and inquire for himself.
中文翻译
两三百年前，当人们远不如现今这般狡猾诡诈时，一个小镇上发生了一件非同寻常的事。一只大雕鸮（角鸮）不知怎的，在夜晚从邻近的森林飞进了一位镇民的谷仓。天亮时，它因害怕其他鸟类而不敢再冒险出来——那些鸟一见到它就会发出可怕的喧叫。
早晨，一个仆人进谷仓取稻草。他看到角落里坐着一只猫头鹰，吓得魂飞魄散，跑去告诉主人：谷仓里有个怪物，是他平生未见，能毫不费力地吞食一个人，还不停地转动眼珠。
"我太了解你了，"主人说。"你在田里追乌鸫倒有胆量，看见死母鸡却要拿根棍子才敢靠近。我得亲自去看看这是什么怪物。"他大胆地走进谷仓，但亲眼看到那奇怪狰狞的生物时，他和仆人一样惊恐万分。他两步跳出谷仓，跑到邻居那里，恳求他们帮忙对付这只未知的危险野兽，以免它挣脱出来危及全镇。
一阵巨大的喧哗响起。镇民们拿起长矛、干草叉、镰刀和斧头武装起来，仿佛要出征迎敌。参议员们也出现了，由镇长带领。他们在集市上列队，然后行进到谷仓，将其团团围住。
最勇敢的人之一持矛上前，走进谷仓。他立刻尖叫着跑了出来，面如死灰，说不出一个字。另外两人也冒险进去，但遭遇同样不妙。
最后，一位以战功闻名的壮汉站了出来。"光看着是赶不走怪物的，"他说。"我们必须动真格的，但我看你们都变成女人了，没一个敢面对这畜生。"他命令拿来盔甲、剑和矛，把自己武装起来。大家都称赞他的勇气，尽管许多人为他的性命担忧。
谷仓门被打开，只见那只猫头鹰栖息在一根大横梁中央。梯子搬来了。当这位英雄架好梯子准备攀登时，人群呼喊要他勇敢，并把他托付给屠龙者圣乔治保佑。
就在他爬到顶端时，猫头鹰察觉到了他的意图，又被人群和喊声弄得不知所措。它转动眼珠，竖起羽毛，拍打翅膀，咔嗒作响地啄着喙，用刺耳的声音叫道："Tuwhit, tuwhoo"。
"刺进去！刺进去！"外面的人群尖叫着。
"任何站在我这个位置的人，"他回答道，"都不会喊‘刺进去’！"他的脚确实又往上踏了一级，但随即开始颤抖，半晕厥地退了下来。
至此，再无人敢冒此险。"那怪物只是咬了咬，呼了口气，就毒害并致命地伤到了我们中最强壮的人！"他们说。"我们也要去冒生命危险吗？"他们商议该如何防止全镇被毁。
经过长时间的讨论，镇长想出了一个权宜之计。"我的意见是，"他说，"我们应该从公共资金中出钱，赔偿谷仓及其里面所有的谷物、稻草和干草给主人。然后，把整座建筑连同那可怕的野兽一起烧掉。这样，就没人需要冒生命危险了。现在不是吝啬的时候。"
所有人都同意了。他们在谷仓的四个角落点火，猫头鹰被可怜地烧死了。若有不信者，可亲自去那里查问。