A squirrel, merrily leaping on the branches of an oak tree, accidentally missed its hold and fell upon a lion who lay at the trunk, basking in the shade. His Majesty awoke in anger, and, raising his shaggy mane, displayed his terrific teeth to the trembling squirrel, who, in the most abject manner, begged forgiveness for the intrusion. “I grant you your life,” said the lion, “but on condition that you tell me the reason why you little beings are always so lively and happy, while my time passes so irksomely.”

一只松鼠在橡樹上歡快地跳來跳去，一不小心從樹上跌落下來，恰巧落在一頭正在樹蔭下酣睡的獅王身上。獅王醒來大為惱怒，豎起濃密的鬃毛，露出鋒利的牙齒，把松鼠嚇得不停地顫抖。松鼠膽戰心驚地請求獅子饒恕他的冒犯。“我饒了你這條小命，”獅子說，“但有一個條件，你必須告訴我，為什么你們這些小家伙總是生活得很快樂，而我的生活卻是如此令人厭倦。”

“Yes, sire,” replied the squirrel, “I will, in return for your mercy, comply with your request; but he who speaks the truth ought to stand higher than he who hears it; permit me, therefore, to ascend the tree.”

“好的，陛下，”松鼠回答道，“為了感謝您的寬恕，我會滿足您的要求。但是，講述真理的人應該比聽真理的要站的高一點。因此，請您允許我站到樹上去。”

The lion consented to this; and when the squirrel was out of his reach he thus addressed him, “You seek to know how I am always merry. Conscience gives me a joyous mind, and learns, sire, that the infallible recipe for happiness—a good conscience—you are in want of. You are day and night oppressed with the sting of iniquity for the crimes and wanton cruelties you have committed. How many animals have you devoured, while I have been employed in carrying nuts to alleviate the distresses of my poor brethren! You hate, and I love! Believe me, there is great meaning and truth in these words, and often have I heard my father observe when young, ‘Son, let your happiness be founded in virtue, and hilarity will be the constant inmate of your bosom.’”

獅子答應了。于是松鼠就跳到了獅子夠不到的地方，接著說：“您問我為什么總是這么快樂，是道德給了我愉快的心情。陛下您要懂得，擁有快樂的秘訣是要擁有善良的心靈——而您卻沒有。您整日悶悶不樂是因為您慘無人道，作惡多端。有多少小動物被你無情地吞吃掉啊，而我一直忙著運送堅果，來救濟我那些可憐的同胞們！您心懷仇恨，而我卻心懷友愛！請相信我，我的話里蘊涵著深刻的哲理。在我很小的時候，就常聽父親說：‘兒子，你要在美德中尋求快樂，只有這樣，快樂才會永遠陪伴著你。’