The Bat And The Weasels

A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped.

地面に落ちてイタチにつかまったコウモリが、命だけは助けてほしいと頼んだ。イタチは、自分は生まれつきあらゆる鳥の敵なのだと言って、断った。コウモリは、自分は鳥ではなくネズミだと言いはり、それで放してもらえた。しばらくして、コウモリはまた地面に落ち、別のイタチにつかまった。コウモリはこのイタチにも、食べないでくれと同じように頼みこんだ。イタチは、自分はとくにネズミがきらいなのだと言った。コウモリは、自分はネズミではなくコウモリだと言いはり、こうして二度目も助かった。

It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

状況をうまく利用するのはかしこいことである。