English Original
A blind ass, which had undertaken a long journey, wandered from the road into a forest. As night fell, the foolish creature went so deep into the thicket that it could move neither backward nor forward. Even a sighted being would have been unable to escape that predicament. Fortunately, an owl happened to be nearby and offered to guide the ass.
We all know how well owls see at night. Hills, hillocks, ditches, precipices—the owl distinguished them all as if it were daylight. By daybreak, it had led the ass safely to the level road. How could anyone part with such a guide? So the ass entreated the owl not to leave and resolved to see the whole world in its company.
The owl seated itself like a lord upon the ass's back, and the two friends continued their journey. But did it prosper? No. As soon as the sun began to glow in the morning sky, a darkness deeper than night fell upon the owl's eyes. Yet the owl was obstinate and directed the ass at random.
"Take care!" it cried. "We shall tumble into a pool if we go to the right."
There was no pool on the right, but on the left, the situation was even worse.
"Keep more to the left—another pace to the left!"
And so, the owl and the ass fell into the ravine together.
中文翻译
一头瞎眼的驴进行长途跋涉时，从大路误入了一片森林。夜幕降临，这愚蠢的家伙走进了灌木丛深处，进退不得。即便是明眼人，恐怕也难以摆脱这般困境。幸运的是，一只猫头鹰恰好在附近，主动提出为驴子引路。
众所周知，猫头鹰在夜间视力极佳。山丘、土墩、沟渠、悬崖——猫头鹰如同在白昼般将这一切分辨得清清楚楚。破晓时分，它已成功带领驴子走上了平坦的道路。这样的向导，谁舍得分开呢？于是，驴子恳求猫头鹰不要离开，并决心与它结伴周游世界。
猫头鹰像领主一样端坐在驴背上，两位朋友继续前行。但旅程顺利吗？并不。当太阳的光芒刚刚染亮清晨的天空，比夜晚更深的黑暗便笼罩了猫头鹰的双眼。然而，猫头鹰十分固执，开始胡乱地指挥驴子。
“当心！”它喊道，“如果我们往右走，会掉进池塘里的。”
右边其实根本没有池塘，但左边的情况更糟。
“再往左一点——再往左一步！”
就这样，猫头鹰和驴子一同跌入了峡谷之中。