The Ungrateful Man

A hunter, who was terribly poor, was one day walking through the forest in search of food. Coming to a deep hole, he found there a leopard, a serpent, a rat, and a man. These had all fallen into the trap and were unable to get out again. Seeing the hunter, they begged him to help them out of the hole.

ひどく貧しい狩人が、ある日食べ物を探して森を歩いていた。深い穴に来ると、そこには豹と蛇と鼠と男が一人いた。みな落とし穴に落ちて、出られなくなっていたのである。狩人を見ると、みな穴から出してくれと頼んだ。

At first he did not wish to release any but the man. The leopard, he said, had often stolen his cattle and eaten them. The serpent very frequently bit men and caused their death. The rat did no good to any one. He saw no use in setting them free.

はじめ狩人は、男のほかは助けたくなかった。豹はたびたび自分の家畜を盗んで食べた、と狩人は言った。蛇はしょっちゅう人を噛んで死なせる。鼠はだれの役にも立たない。放してやる意味はないと思った。

However, these animals pleaded so hard for life that at last he helped them out of the pit. Each, in turn, promised to reward him for his kindness—except the man. He, saying he was very poor, was taken home by the kind-hearted hunter and allowed to stay with him.

けれども獣たちがあまりに必死に命乞いをしたので、とうとう狩人はみなを穴から出してやった。男を除いて、みなが順々に、親切の礼をすると約束した。男はたいそう貧しいと言うので、心の優しい狩人は家へ連れて帰り、一緒に住まわせてやった。

A short time after, Serpent came to the hunter and gave him a very powerful antidote for snake-poison. “Keep it carefully,” said Serpent. “You will find it very useful one day. When you are using it, be sure to ask for the blood of a traitor to mix with it.” The hunter, having thanked Serpent very much, took great care of the powder and always carried it about with him.

まもなく、蛇が狩人のところへ来て、蛇の毒によく効く薬を渡した。「大事に取っておきなさい」と蛇は言った。「いつかたいそう役に立つでしょう。使うときには、必ず裏切り者の血を求めて混ぜなさい」狩人は蛇に厚く礼を言って、その粉を大事にし、いつも身につけていた。

The leopard also showed his gratitude by killing animals for the hunter and supplying him with food for many weeks.

豹もまた、狩人のために獣を仕留めて、何週間も食べ物を届けて感謝を示した。

Then, one day, the rat came to him and gave him a large bundle. “These,” said he, “are some native cloths, gold dust, and ivory. They will make you rich.” The hunter thanked the rat very heartily and took the bundle into his cottage.

それからある日、鼠が狩人のところへ来て、大きな包みを渡した。「これは」と鼠は言った。「土地の布と砂金と象牙です。これであなたは金持ちになれます」狩人は鼠に心から礼を言って、包みを小屋へ運び込んだ。

After this the hunter was able to live in great comfort. He built himself a fine new house and supplied it with everything needful. The man whom he had taken out of the pit still lived with him.

そのあと、狩人はたいそう安楽に暮らせるようになった。立派な新しい家を建てて、要るものをみなそろえた。穴から助け出した男は、まだ一緒に住んでいた。

This man, however, was of a very envious disposition. He was not at all pleased at his host’s good fortune, and only waited an opportunity to do him some harm. He very soon had a chance.

けれどもこの男は、たいそう妬み深い性分だった。主人の幸運を少しも喜ばず、何か害を加える機会をうかがうばかりだった。まもなくその機会が来た。

A proclamation was sounded throughout the country to say that some robbers had broken into the King’s palace and stolen his jewels and many other valuables. The ungrateful man instantly hurried to the King and asked what the reward would be if he pointed out the thief. The King promised to give him half of the things which had been stolen. The wicked fellow thereupon falsely accused his host of the theft, although he knew quite well that he was innocent.

国じゅうにお触れが出て、泥棒どもが王の宮殿に押し入り、宝石やそのほかたくさんの貴重な品を盗んでいったと告げられた。恩知らずな男はすぐに王のもとへ急ぎ、泥棒を教えたらどんなほうびがもらえるかと尋ねた。王は盗まれた品の半分をやると約束した。すると悪い男は、主人が無実だとよく知りながら、主人を盗みの罪で偽って訴えた。

The honest hunter was immediately thrown into prison. He was then brought into Court and requested to show how he had become so rich. He told them, faithfully, the source of his income, but no one believed him. He was condemned to die the following day at noon.

正直な狩人はすぐに牢に放り込まれた。それから法廷に引き出され、どうしてそんなに金持ちになったのかを示すよう求められた。狩人は収入のもとを正直に話したが、だれも信じなかった。狩人は翌日の正午に死刑にされると決まった。

Next morning, while preparations were being made for his execution, word was brought to the prison that the King’s eldest son had been bitten by a serpent and was dying. Any one who could cure him was begged to come and do so.

翌朝、刑の支度が進められているとき、王の長男が蛇に噛まれて死にかけているという知らせが牢に届いた。王子を治せる者はだれでも来て治してくれと頼まれた。

The hunter immediately thought of the powder which his serpent friend had given him, and asked to be allowed to use it. At first they were unwilling to let him try, but finally he received permission. The King asked him if there were anything he needed for it and he replied, “A traitor’s blood to mix it with.” His Majesty immediately pointed out the wicked fellow who had accused the hunter and said: “There stands the worst traitor—for he gave up the kind host who had saved his life.” The man was at once beheaded and the powder was mixed as the serpent had commanded. As soon as it was applied to the prince’s wound the young man was cured. In great delight, the King loaded the hunter with honours and sent him happily home.

狩人はすぐに蛇の友がくれた粉のことを思い出し、それを使わせてくれと頼んだ。はじめ人々は試させたがらなかったが、とうとう許しが出た。王が何か要るものはあるかと尋ねると、狩人は答えた。「混ぜるための裏切り者の血を」王はすぐに、狩人を訴えた悪い男を指さして言った。「あそこにいちばんの裏切り者が立っている——命を救ってくれた親切な主人を売ったのだから」男はすぐに首をはねられ、粉は蛇の言いつけどおりに混ぜられた。王子の傷に塗るとすぐに、若者は治った。王はたいそう喜んで、狩人に栄誉をたっぷり授け、幸せに家へ帰らせた。