English Original
A sheep, suffering constant harm from other animals, came before Jupiter and begged for relief from his misery.
Jupiter, appearing willing, said, "I see plainly, my pious creature, that I created you too defenseless. Now choose how I should remedy this. Shall I arm your jaws with terrible fangs and your feet with claws?"
"Oh, no!" exclaimed the sheep. "I will have nothing in common with beasts of prey."
"Or," said Jupiter, "shall I make your bite poisonous?"
"Alas!" replied the sheep. "The poisonous snakes are so sadly detested."
"Well, what shall I do? Shall I plant horns on your forehead and give strength to your neck?"
"Not that either, gracious father; I would then butt like the goat."
"But you would be able to injure others," said Jupiter, "if I gave you the means to defend yourself."
"Should I, indeed?" sighed the sheep. "Oh, then leave me as I am, merciful father. I fear the power to injure would awaken the desire to do so. It is better to suffer harm than to inflict it."
Jupiter blessed the pious sheep, who from that moment ceased his complaints.
中文翻译
一只绵羊长期遭受其他动物的伤害，于是来到朱庇特面前，恳求减轻自己的痛苦。
朱庇特显得很乐意帮忙，说道：“我清楚地看到，我虔诚的造物，我把你创造得太缺乏防卫能力了。现在你来选择，我该如何弥补这个缺陷。我该给你的下颌装上可怕的尖牙，给你的脚装上利爪吗？”
“哦，不！”绵羊惊呼道，“我绝不愿与掠食野兽有任何共同之处。”
“或者，”朱庇特说，“我让你的咬噬带毒如何？”
“唉！”绵羊回答，“毒蛇是如此可悲地遭人厌恶。”
“那么，我该怎么做？我该在你额头上种上角，并赋予你脖颈力量吗？”
“也不要那样，仁慈的父亲；那样我就会像山羊一样用角顶撞了。”
“但同时，”朱庇特说，“如果我给了你自卫的手段，你也就有能力伤害他人了。”
“我真的会那样吗？”绵羊叹息道。“哦！那么，仁慈的父亲，就让我保持原样吧。我担心，伤害他人的能力会唤醒这样做的欲望。承受伤害总比施加伤害要好。”
朱庇特祝福了这只虔诚的绵羊，而从那一刻起，绵羊停止了抱怨。