英文原文

THE Peacock was greatly discontented because he had not a beautiful voice like the nightingale, and he went and complained to Juno about it. “ The nightingale’s song,” said he, “ is the envy of all the birds; but whenever I utter a sound I become a laughingstock.”

The goddess tried to console him by saying, “ You have not, it is true, the power of song, but then you far excel all the rest in beauty : your neck flashes like the emerald and your splendid tail is a marvel of gorgeous colour.” But the Peacock was not appeased. “ What is the use,” said he, “ of being beautiful, with a voice like mine? ” Then Juno replied, with a shade of sternness in her tones, “ Fate has allotted to all their destined gifts : to yourself beauty, to the eagle strength, to the nightingale song, and so on to all the rest in their degree ; but you alone are dissatisfied with your portion. Make, then, no more complaints : for, if your present wish were granted, you would quickly find cause for fresh discontent.”

*discontented[dɪskən'tentɪd]a.不满的；

*nightingale['naɪtɪŋ,geɪl]n.夜莺

*Juno['dʒu:nəu]n. 朱诺（主神朱庇特的妻子）

*laughingstock['lɑːfɪŋstɒk]n.笑柄；

*console[kən'səʊl]v.安慰；

*excel[ɪk'sel; ek-]v.超过；

*emerald['em(ə)r(ə)ld]n.绿宝石；ruby['ruːbɪ]n.红宝石；

*appease[ə'piːz]v.使满足；

*sternness['stə:nis]n.严格；

*allot[ə'lɒt]v.分配；

中文翻译

孔雀向王后朱诺抱怨。它说：“王后陛下，我不是无理取闹来申诉说情，您赐给我的歌喉，没有任何人喜欢听，可您看那黄莺小精灵，唱出的歌声婉转而甜蜜，它独占春光，风头出尽。”

朱诺听它如此言语，安慰道：“你看你脖子四周，是一条如七彩丝绸染织的美丽彩虹；当你款款行走时，舒展的华丽羽毛，出现在人们面前就好像见到了色彩斑斓的珠宝。以你如此的美丽，你难道好意思去嫉妒黄莺的歌声吗？和你相比，这世界上没有任何一种鸟能像你这样受到别人的喜爱。一种动物不可能具备世界上所有动物的优点。我们分别赐给大家不同的天赋，有的天生长得高大威猛；有的如鹰一样的勇敢，隼一样的敏捷；乌鸦则可以预告征兆。大家彼此相融，各司其职。所以我奉劝你打消你的抱怨，如果我满足了你的愿望，你肯定还会找到新的不满”。

A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.

知足是人生在世最大的幸事。

【YOU书社】2017年持续英文阅读，第66篇。

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