The Peasant and the Apple-Tree

A PEASANT had in his garden an Apple-Tree which bore no fruit but only served as a harbor for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and taking his axe in his hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labours. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his axe. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his axe, and looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it.

ある農夫の庭に一本のリンゴの木があったが、実をひとつもつけず、ただスズメやキリギリスのすみかになっているだけだった。農夫はこの木を切り倒そうと決め、斧を手に取って、根もとに思いきり一撃を加えた。キリギリスとスズメたちは、自分たちをかくまってくれる木を切り倒さないで、どうか残しておいてほしい、そうすれば歌を歌って仕事の疲れを軽くしてあげるから、と頼んだ。農夫はその願いには耳を貸さず、木に二度、三度と斧を振るった。ところが木のうろまで切り進むと、はちみつがたっぷり詰まった蜂の巣が見つかった。農夫は蜂の巣を味見すると、斧を投げ捨て、その木を神聖なものとみなして、たいへん大切にした。

Self-interest alone moves some men.

自分の得になることにしか動かされない人もいる。