The Dog and the Cook

A RICH MAN gave a great feast, to which he invited many friends and acquaintances. His Dog availed himself of the occasion to invite a stranger Dog, a friend of his, saying, “My master gives a feast, and there is always much food remaining; come and sup with me tonight.” The Dog thus invited went at the hour appointed, and seeing the preparations for so grand an entertainment, said in the joy of his heart, “How glad I am that I came! I do not often get such a chance as this. I will take care and eat enough to last me both today and tomorrow.” While he was congratulating himself and wagging his tail to convey his pleasure to his friend, the Cook saw him moving about among his dishes and, seizing him by his fore and hind paws, bundled him without ceremony out of the window. He fell with force upon the ground and limped away, howling dreadfully. His yelling soon attracted other street dogs, who came up to him and inquired how he had enjoyed his supper. He replied, “Why, to tell you the truth, I drank so much wine that I remember nothing. I do not know how I got out of the house.”

ある金持ちが大宴会を開き、たくさんの友人や知り合いを招いた。金持ちのイヌはこの機会を利用して、友だちのよそのイヌを招いて言った。「ご主人さまが宴会を開くんだ。いつも食べ物がたくさん残るから、今夜はぼくといっしょに夕食を食べにおいでよ」。こうして招かれたイヌは約束の時刻に出かけていき、こんなにりっぱなもてなしの用意がされているのを見て、心からうれしくなって言った。「来てよかったなあ！こんなチャンスはめったにないぞ。今日と明日の二日分もつくらい、たっぷり食べておこう」。そのイヌが自分の幸運を喜び、しっぽをふって友だちにうれしい気持ちを伝えていると、料理人が、イヌが料理のあいだをうろついているのを見つけた。料理人はイヌの前足と後ろ足をつかんで、遠慮なく窓から放り出した。イヌは地面にたたきつけられ、ひどくキャンキャン鳴きながら、足を引きずって去っていった。その鳴き声を聞きつけて、まもなくほかの野良犬たちが集まってきて、夕食はどうだったかとたずねた。イヌは答えた。「いやあ、実を言うと、ぶどう酒を飲みすぎて何も覚えていないんだ。どうやって家から出てきたのかもわからないよ」