A squirrel, merrily leaping on the branches of an oak tree, accidentally missed its hold and fell upon a lion who lay at the trunk, basking in the shade. His Majesty awoke in anger, and, raising his shaggy mane, displayed his terrific teeth to the trembling squirrel, who, in the most abject manner, begged forgiveness for the intrusion. “I grant you your life,” said the lion, “but on condition that you tell me the reason why you little beings are always so lively and happy, while my time passes so irksomely.”
“Yes, sire,” replied the squirrel, “I will, in return for your mercy, comply with your request; but he who speaks the truth ought to stand higher than he who hears it; permit me, therefore, to ascend the tree.”
The lion consented to this; and when the squirrel was out of his reach he thus addressed him, “You seek to know how I am always merry. Conscience gives me a joyous mind, and learns, sire, that the infallible recipe for happiness—a good conscience—you are in want of. You are day and night oppressed with the sting of iniquity for the crimes and wanton cruelties you have committed. How many animals have you devoured, while I have been employed in carrying nuts to alleviate the distresses of my poor brethren! You hate, and I love! Believe me, there is great meaning and truth in these words, and often have I heard my father observe when young, ‘Son, let your happiness be founded in virtue, and hilarity will be the constant inmate of your bosom.’”
翻译：
一只松鼠在橡树上欢快地跳来跳去，一不小心从树上跌落下来，恰巧落在一头正在树荫下酣睡的狮王身上。狮王醒来大为恼怒，竖起浓密的鬃毛，露出锋利的牙齿，把松鼠吓得不停地颤抖。松鼠胆战心惊地请求狮子饶恕他的冒犯。“我饶了你这条小命，”狮子说，“但有一个条件，你必须告诉我，为什么你们这些小家伙总是生活得很快乐，而我的生活却是如此令人厌倦。”
“好的，陛下，”松鼠回答道，“为了感谢您的宽恕，我会满足您的要求。但是，讲述真理的人应该比听真理的要站的高一点。因此，请您允许我站到树上去。”
狮子答应了。于是松鼠就跳到了狮子够不到的地方，接着说：“您问我为什么总是这么快乐，是道德给了我愉快的心情。陛下您要懂得，拥有快乐的秘诀是要拥有善良的心灵——而您却没有。您整日闷闷不乐是因为您惨无人道，作恶多端。有多少小动物被你无情地吞吃掉啊，而我一直忙着运送坚果，来救济我那些可怜的同胞们！您心怀仇恨，而我却心怀友爱！请相信我，我的话里蕴涵着深刻的哲理。在我很小的时候，就常听父亲说：‘儿子，你要在美德中寻求快乐，只有这样，快乐才会永远陪伴着你。’
