The Ass and His Driver

An Ass was being driven along a road leading down the mountain side, when he suddenly took it into his silly head to choose his own path.ロバが、ロバひきにみちびかれて山をくだる道を歩いていたとき、とつぜん、自分の道は自分できめようと、ばかなことを思いつきました。 He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him the quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff.山のふもとに自分の小屋が見えたので、いちばん近いがけのふちから下へおりるのが、いちばんはやい道だと思ったのです。 Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the stubborn Ass would not yield and pulled with all his might.ロバが今にもとびおりようとしたとき、ご主人がしっぽをつかんで引きもどそうとしました。けれど、がんこなロバは言うことを聞かず、力いっぱい引っぱりました。

"Very well," said his master, "go your way, you willful beast, and see where it leads you."「よしわかった」とご主人は言いました。「がんこなやつめ、すきな道を行くがいい。どうなるか、自分で見てみろ。」

With that he let go, and the foolish Ass tumbled head over heels down the mountain side.そう言って手をはなすと、おろかなロバは山の坂をごろごろと、まっさかさまにころげおちていきました。

They who will not listen to reason but stubbornly go their own way against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than they, are on the road to misfortune.自分よりかしこい人のしんせつなことばを聞かず、がんこに自分の道を行く者は、ふこうへの道を歩いているのです。