Once there was an ass . His master was a herb seller. He gave the ass very little food and a lot of work to do. The ass felt tired and asked God for another master.
God told him that it was not a good idea, but the ass wouldn't listen. He was sold to a tile-maker . Very soon, the ass found that he had to carry heavier loads and work harder in the brick-field.
He then asked God for a new master. God told him this would be his last chance. This time the ass was sold to a tanner . When the ass found out about the job of his master, he realized that he had fallen into worse hands. But it was no use crying over spilt milk .
-ass ［æs ］ n. 驴
-herb ［hɜ:b ］ n. 香草；药草
-tile-maker ［taɪl 'meɪkə(r) ］ n. 瓦匠，瓷砖匠，地砖匠
-load ［ləʊd ］ n. 负荷；工作量
-tanner ［'tænə ］ n. 制皮匠，制革匠
brick field 砖田
1. He gave the ass very little food and a lot of work to do.
他给驴很少的食物吃，却让它干很多活儿。
The employer gives employees very little payment and a lot of work to do.
老板给员工很少的工资，却让他们做大量的工作。
The teacher gives students very little time and a lot of homework to do.
老师给学生们很少的时间，却让他们做大量的家庭作业。
2. Very soon, the ass found that he had to carry heavier loads and work harder in the brick field. 很快，驴发现它得驮更重的东西，并在砖场更辛苦地干活。
The girl realized that she had to stand heavier stress and work harder for the competition. 女孩意识到为了比赛，她得承受更大的压力，不得不更加努力。
The teacher asked students to speak louder and write more clearly.
老师要学生说话大声点，写字更清晰。
后悔莫及
从前有头驴，它的主人是个药草贩子。他给驴很少的食物吃，却让它干很多活儿。驴觉得很累，请求上帝帮它换个主人。
上帝告诉驴，这可不是个好主意，但驴却偏偏不听。它被卖给了一个瓦匠。很快，驴发现它得驮更重的东西，并在砖场里更辛苦地干活。
然后，它又请求上帝给它换个新主人。上帝告诉它这将是它最后的机会。这次，驴被卖给一个制皮匠。驴弄清新主人干的活儿之后，意识到自己已经落入更糟糕的主人手里，但后悔也无济于事。