The Mountain and the Squirrel
Ralph Waldo Emerson


The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter "Little prig;"
Bun replied:
"You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together
To make up a year,
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:
I'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track.
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.


大山和小松鼠
爱默生


有一座大山和一只小松鼠
争得脸红脖子粗，
大山笑话小松鼠“太小”；
小卷毛儿回答：
“你是大个儿，我当然知道，
可世上有这样那样的东西,
它们必须凑在一起
才能组成大家庭，
才有四季的运行。
我站在我的位置上，
从没把自己瞧不上。
如果说我的个子没你高，
你想变小还变不了，
也不像我那样敏捷活泼；
不过我并不否认你为我
准备了一条挺棒的小道。
本领各不同，各有各的招儿，
要说我背不动森林是实情，
可你连咬碎个核桃也干不成。”