The Fox and the Stork
A free B2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Sly Fox serves his dinner guest a soup she can barely touch — so when the stork returns the invitation, she has a trick of her own ready.
Old Mister Fox was at expense, one day, To dine old Mistress Stork. The fare was light, was nothing, sooth to say, Requiring knife and fork. That sly old gentleman, the dinner-giver, Was, you must understand, a frugal liver. This once, at least, the total matter Was thinnish soup served on a platter, For madam's slender beak a fruitless puzzle, Till all had pass'd the fox's lapping muzzle.
Suatu hari, Tuan Rubah tua mengeluarkan biaya untuk mengundang Nyonya Bangau makan malam di rumahnya. Hidangannya sederhana, bahkan hampir tak ada, sejujurnya tak memerlukan pisau maupun garpu. Tuan yang licik itu, sang tuan rumah, memang dikenal sangat hemat. Kali ini, setidaknya, seluruh hidangan hanyalah sup encer yang disajikan di atas piring datar, sebuah teka-teki sia-sia bagi paruh ramping sang nyonya, sementara semuanya lenyap ditelan moncong menjilat sang rubah.
But, little relishing his laughter, Old gossip Stork, some few days after, Return'd his Foxship's invitation. Without a moment's hesitation, He said he'd go, for he must own he Ne'er stood with friends for ceremony. And so, precisely at the hour, He hied him to the lady's bower; Where, praising her politeness, He finds her dinner right nice. Its punctuality and plenty, Its viands, cut in mouthfuls dainty, Its fragrant smell, were powerful to excite, Had there been need, his foxish appetite.
Namun, tak begitu menikmati tawa itu, si tua Bangau, beberapa hari kemudian, membalas undangan Tuan Rubah. Tanpa ragu sedikit pun, ia berkata akan datang, sebab ia mengaku tak pernah bersikap sungkan dengan sahabatnya. Maka, tepat pada waktunya, ia pun melangkah menuju kediaman sang nyonya. Di sana, sambil memuji kesopanannya, ia mendapati hidangan makan malam itu sungguh menggugah selera. Ketepatan waktunya dan kelimpahannya, hidangannya yang dipotong sekali suap, aromanya yang harum, semua itu cukup kuat untuk membangkitkan, seandainya perlu, selera rubah dalam dirinya.
But now the dame, to torture him, Such wit was in her, Served up her dinner In vases made so tall and slim, They let their owner's beak pass in and out, But not, by any means, the fox's snout! All arts without avail, With drooping head and tail, As ought a fox a fowl had cheated, The hungry guest at last retreated.
Namun kini sang nyonya, untuk menyiksanya, dengan kecerdikan yang ia miliki, menyajikan hidangannya dalam guci-guci yang dibuat begitu tinggi dan ramping, sehingga hanya paruh sang pemiliknya yang bisa keluar masuk dengan leluasa, tetapi sama sekali tidak untuk moncong sang rubah! Segala tipu daya tak berguna, dengan kepala dan ekor terkulai lesu, seperti seharusnya seekor rubah yang telah menipu seekor unggas, tamu yang kelaparan itu pun akhirnya mundur pergi.
Ye knaves, for you is this recital, You'll often meet Dame Stork's requital.
Wahai para penipu, kisah ini untuk kalian: kalian akan sering bertemu dengan balasan setimpal dari Nyonya Bangau.
