一只螞蟻在陽光下來回跑著尋找食物，

這時(shí)它發(fā)現(xiàn)了一只即將要羽化成蝶的蛹。

The Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant,
who then saw for the first time that it was alive.

蛹動(dòng)了動(dòng)尾巴。

這立刻吸引了螞蟻的注意。螞蟻這才發(fā)現(xiàn)原來這只蛹是活的。

"Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!
While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure。

and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree,

with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail."

“可憐的蟲子”，螞蟻輕蔑地說了句，“你的命運(yùn)實(shí)在是太悲慘了，

我能隨意地到處跑來跑去，高興的時(shí)候，還可以爬上那最高的樹遠(yuǎn)眺。

你呢，被困在自己的殼里，頂多只能動(dòng)動(dòng)你的幾個(gè)關(guān)節(jié)，或者搖搖你那丑陋的尾巴。”

The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make any reply.

蛹聽到了螞蟻說的一切，但沒做任何回應(yīng)。

A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again,

nothing but the shell remained.

幾天之后，當(dāng)螞蟻再次路過那里時(shí)，那里只剩下了一個(gè)空殼。
Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly
shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly.

它正琢磨著里面的東西哪去了時(shí)，

一只美麗的蝴蝶用它色彩斑斕的翅膀在螞蟻頭上扇動(dòng)。
"Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend!

Boast now of your powers to run and climb

as long as you can get me to listen."

“看看我，”蝴蝶說，“可憐的家伙。