Why the Leopard Can Only Catch Prey on Its Left Side

At one time leopards did not know how to catch animals for food. Knowing that the cat as very skilful in this way, Leopard one day went to Cat and asked very politely if she would teach him the art. Cat readily consented.

かつて豹は、食べ物にする獣の捕らえ方を知らなかった。猫がこの道にたいそう長けていると知って、ある日、豹は猫のところへ行き、その技を教えてくれまいかとたいそう丁重に頼んだ。猫は快く承知した。

The first thing Leopard had to learn was to hide himself among the bushes by the roadside, so that he would not be seen by any animal passing by. Next, he must learn how to move noiselessly through the woods. He must never allow the animal he chased to know that he was following it. The third great principle was how to use his left paws and side in springing upon his prey.

豹がまず学ばねばならなかったのは、道端の茂みに身を隠して、通りかかる獣に見つからないようにすることであった。次に、森の中を音も立てずに動く術を学ばねばならなかった。追っている獣に、自分が後をつけていると決して悟らせてはならない。三つ目の大原則は、獲物に跳びかかるとき、左の前肢と左半身をどう使うか、であった。

Having taught him these three things, Cat requested him to go and practise them well. When he had learnt them thoroughly he could return to her and she would give him more lessons in hunting.

この三つを教えたうえで、猫は豹に、よく稽古してくるようにと言った。すっかり身につけたら戻っておいで、狩りの続きを教えてあげよう、と。

Leopard obeyed. At first he was very successful and obtained all the food he wanted. One day, however, he was unable to catch anything at all.

豹は言われたとおりにした。はじめのうちはたいそううまくいき、欲しいだけの食べ物を得た。ところがある日、まるで何も捕らえられなかった。

Being very hungry, he bethought himself what he could have for dinner. Suddenly he remembered that the cat had quite a large family. He went straight to her home and found her absent.

ひどく腹が空いて、夕餉に何が食べられるだろうと思案した。ふと、あの猫にはかなり大勢の子がいることを思い出した。まっすぐ猫の家へ行くと、猫は留守であった。

Never thinking of her kindness to him—Leopard only remembered that he was hungry—he ate all her kittens. Puss, on discovering this dreadful fact, was so angry that she refused to have anything more to do with the great creature.

自分への親切など思いもせず——豹はただ腹が空いていることしか覚えていなかった——子猫たちを一匹残らず食べてしまった。この恐ろしい出来事を知った猫はひどく怒り、あの大きな生き物とは二度と関わるまいと決めた。

Consequently the leopard has never been able to learn how to catch animals that pass him on the right side.

そのため豹は、右側を通り過ぎる獣の捕らえ方を、ついに学ぶことができないままなのである。