A hare was very popular with other beasts who all claimed to beher friends. But one day she heard the hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many friends. So, she went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But the horse refused, saying that he had important work to do for his master. He said he felt sure that all her other friends would come to her assistance. The hare then had to go to the bull, and hoped that he would drive the hounds away with his horns. The bull replied, "I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want." The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it. The ram, the goat felt sure, was the proper friend to apply to. So the hare went to the ram and told him the case. The ram replied, "Another time, my dear friend. I do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well as hares." The hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older beasts than himself had declined the task. By this time the hounds were quite near， and the hare took to her heels and luckily escaped.
　　This tale shows that he who has many friends, has no friends.

英语寓言：野兔的朋友们
　　
　　一只野兔，颇受欢迎。所有的动物都说是她的朋友。一天，野兔听说一群猎狗来了，就想让朋友们帮她逃过这一劫。她首先找到了马。让马把她驮走。可是马不愿意帮忙，说他还要为主人做很多重要的活儿。马还说他相信其他的朋友肯定会帮忙的。野兔只有去找公牛，想让公牛用犄角把猎狗赶跑。公牛说：“非常抱歉。我和一位女士已经约好了。不过，我相信我们的朋友山羊肯定会帮忙的。”然而山羊担心如果野兔坐在他背上会让他的脊背硌伤的。山羊认为公羊是适合求助的朋友。野兔找到公羊说明了情况，公羊说：“下次吧，我亲爱的朋友。我可不愿介入这件事。因为猎狗不但吃兔子。还会吃羊的。”野兔怀着最后一线希望来找小牛。小牛说他很遗憾帮不了忙。他说那么多比他大的动物都不愿管，他也不愿管这种事。这时，猎狗已经逼近，野免只好撒腿就跑，很幸运，她逃脱了。
　　这则寓言告诉我们：朋友太多，等于没有。