Lesson 13　The Wolf　第13课　狼

wolf grieved sleeve neighbors earnest

axes clubs order single destroy

A boy was once taking care of some sheep, not far from a forest. Near by was a village, and he was told to call for help if there was any danger.

One day, in order to have some fun, he cried out, with all his might，"The wolf is coming！the wolf is coming！"

The men came running with clubs and axes to destroy the wolf. As they saw nothing they went home again, and left John laughing in his sleeve.

As he had had so much fun this time, John cried out again, the next day，"The wolf！the wolf！"

The men came again, but not so many as the frst time. Again they saw no trace of the wolf；so they shook their heads, and went back.

On the third day, the wolf came in earnest. John cried in dismay，"Help！help！the wolf！the wolf！"But not a single man came to help him.

The wolf broke into the flock, and killed a great many sheep. Among them was a beautiful lamb, which belonged to John.

Then he felt very sorry that he had deceived his friends and neighbors, and grieved over the loss of his pet lamb.

The truth itself is not believed, from one who often has deceived.

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从前，有一个叫约翰的放羊的小男孩，在他放羊的森林附近有一个村庄，那里的人们告诉他，如果遇到任何危险，只需要大喊救命就可以了。

有一天，他为了找些乐子，便用尽力气大喊：“狼来了！狼来了！”

村里的男人都拿着攻击狼的棍棒和斧头跑过来。可是他们来了才发现什么都没有，只能气愤地回家了，只有约翰在那里大笑。

他觉得这实在是太有趣了，于是到了第二天，他又大喊：“狼来了！狼来了！”

人们又跑来了，尽管没有上一次来的人那么多。他们又一次发现根本没有狼，只能无奈地摇摇头回去了。

到了第三天，狼真的来了。约翰沮丧地大叫：“救命啊！救命啊！狼来了！狼来了！”

但是这一次，却没有一个人来救他。

狼闯入羊群，咬死了很多羊，其中也包括约翰自己那只漂亮的小羊羔。此刻他感到无比的后悔，他欺骗了他的朋友和邻居，最后只能悲痛地失去那些小羊。

经常说谎的人，即使说出真相，也不会有人相信的。