中國寓言故事雙語版 第5期:反脣相譏
Yan Zi of the State of Qi was sent on a mission to the State of Chu.
齊國的晏子出使到楚國。The King of Chu intended to humiliate the State of Qi toYan Zi's face.
楚王有意要當着晏子的面侮辱齊國。One day, the King of Chu gave a banquet for Yan Zi. Just
一天，楚王擺了酒席招待晏子。
when they were enjoying it, two petty officials brought a convictto the King.
正當他們吃得高興的時候，兩個小官押着一個犯人來見楚王。Deliberately the King of Chu asked: "What crime has this man committed?"
楚王故意問道: “這人犯了了一麼罪?”One of the petty officials answered: "He robs."
小官回答說: “他是一個強盜。”Again the King of Chu asked: “Where is he from?"
楚王又問:“他是哪個國家的人?”The petty official answered: "He is from the State of Qi."
小官回話: “他是齊國人。”The King of Chu turned to Yan Zi and said: "So the people of the State of Qi are used to committingrobbery."
楚王回頭對晏子說: “原來齊國人是慣於當強盜的。”Yan Zi stood up and replied:
晏子站起來答道:"Your Majesty, I heard that when orange trees grown in thesouth of the Huai River are transplanted to the north of Huai River,they become trifoliate orange trees.
“大王，我聽說生長在淮南的橘樹，移植到淮北就會變成積樹。Outwardly the leaves of orangetrees and those of trifoliate orange trees look alike, but the tastesof their fruits are entirely different.
從外表上看，橘樹和積樹的葉子是一樣的，但是這兩種樹的果子的味道卻完全不同。Our people of the State of Qinever commit robbery, but once they come to the State of Chu,they start to engage in criminal activities.
我們齊國的老百姓從來不做強盜，一到楚國就幹起犯罪的勾當來了。I think, maybe this isthe effect of the environment and climate here."
我看，這也許是受這裏的水土環境的影響吧!”As the King of Chu heard this, he was struck dumb withshame.
楚王聽了，羞愧得連一句話都說不出來。
