English Original
Once upon a time, the sheep complained to the shepherd about the difference in his treatment of themselves and his dog.
"Your conduct," said they, "is very strange and, we think, very unfair. We provide you with wool, lambs, and milk, and you give us nothing but grass, and even that we have to find for ourselves. But you get nothing at all from the dog, and yet you feed him with tit-bits from your own table."
Their remarks were overheard by the dog, who spoke up at once and said, "Yes, and quite right, too. Where would you be if it wasn't for me? Thieves would steal you! Wolves would eat you! Indeed, if I didn't keep constant watch over you, you would be too terrified even to graze!"
The sheep were obliged to acknowledge that he spoke the truth, and never again made a grievance of the regard in which he was held by his master.
中文翻译
从前，羊群向牧羊人抱怨，说他对羊和狗的待遇有差别。
羊群说：“你的行为很奇怪，我们认为非常不公平。我们为你提供羊毛、羊羔和羊奶，而你只给我们草吃，甚至这草还得我们自己去找。但你从狗那里什么也得不到，却用你自己桌上的美食来喂它。”
狗听到了他们的议论，立刻开口说道：“是的，而且说得对。要不是有我，你们会在哪里？小偷会偷走你们！狼会吃掉你们！说真的，要不是我时刻守护着你们，你们恐怕连吃草都会吓得不敢去！”
羊群不得不承认他说的是事实，从此再也不抱怨主人对狗的重视了。