facebook-diary　research: 英語学習にも1000文字以上の名文 Gaining a Little, Losing a Lot,Stories of Wisdom and Learning

Gaining a Little,

Losing a Lot
How a Farmer Lost His Cow

A farmer hurried along a mountain path at dusk,
leading a great cow. The animal evidently was a prized
possession of his, for he turned around frequently
to check on its progress, and treated it with
tender consideration as he made his way home.

Before long a couple of suspicious characters
came up behind him. One of them whispered to the
other, “See that cow? I bet you I could steal him
right now."

His companion shook his head doubtfully.
“You’re a fine pickpocket, I’ll grant you that, but
not even you could make off in daylight with a great big cow!

“Just watch me. I’ll show you how good I am.”

The pickpocket quickened his pace, passed by the
farmer and his cow, and disappeared behind a little
shrine at a bend in the path.

When the farmer came by, he noticed something
lying on the ground. He picked it up and saw
it was a brand-new leather shoe. “Here’s a find!” he
said to himself. “Too bad there’s only one. No good
without the mate." He tossed it aside and went on
his way.

Soon he spied something else lying in the path
and picked it up. Sure enough, it was the other shoe.
Now if he only had the first one, he’d have himself a
fine new pair of shoes. Excited at the thought, he tied
his cow to a tree and flew back to retrieve the
shoe he’d thrown away. There it was, just where he’d
left it. “This is my lucky day!” he exulted. “Imagine

getting a fine pair of shoes for nothing!”

He went back full of joy, only to find his precious
cow vanished without a trace.

All too many people are like him-so distracted by desire for
immediate gain that they end up losing what is most

important of all.

（English）

Something You Forget
…Along the Way

Stories of Wisdom and Learning

Translated

by
Juliet Winters Carpenter

lchimannendo Publishing, Inc.

http://www.i-ipi.com/success-is-the-fruit-of-effort-the-astute-merchant/

小にこだわり大を失う　　

牛をすられた農夫

　人通りの少ない山道を、大きい牛をひいて、わが家へ急いでいる一人の農夫があった。
　牛は彼の最も大切な財産らしく、ふり返りふり返り、いたわりながら、日暮れの道を急
いでいる。
　やがて、農夫の後ろに二人のあやしげな男が現れ、一人が仲間にささやいた。
「おい、あの牛を、すり取ってみせようか」
「おまえがなんぼスリの名人でも、あんな大きな牛じゃねー」
　相棒は首をかしげた。
「よし、それではやってみせるぞ。おれの腕前をみていろ」
　二人はスリが本職だった。
　牛をすってみせると言った男は早足で、グングン歩きはじめ、牛を追い越し、曲がり角
の小さな地蔵堂の所で姿を消す。
　農夫は薄暗い地蔵堂の角に、なにか落ちているのをみつけた。
　拾ってみると、サラの皮靴の片方ではないか。
　「せっかくの、すごい拾い物だが、片方じゃ使い物にならんわい」
　ぶつぶつ悔やみ言をいいながら、靴を投げすて、しばらくゆくと、またなにかが落ちて
いる。
　拾ってみると、先ほど捨ててきた相手の靴である。先のと合わせると、新品の靴一足に
なる。
　農夫は、しめたと思った。
　「だれも通らぬ山道だ。まだあるにちがいない」
　牛を道ばたの木にくくりつけ、飛ぶように引き返すと、案の定、靴はあった。
　「今日は、なんと運のよい日だろう。こんな立派な靴が、ただで手に入るとは……」
　得意満面、喜び勇んで帰ってみると、農夫の最も大事な牛の、影も形もみあたらなかっ
た。

　目先の欲に心を奪われて、最も大切なものを失う人の、いかに多いことか。