第16章 和平與戰爭

三隻狗一邊兒曬太陽一邊兒談話。 第一隻狗夢幻地說道："生活在今日的狗國里確實是奇妙非凡。想想我們在大海裡、陸地上、乃至天空中旅遊的舒適安逸吧。再思量一下那些為了供狗兒們享福而搞出來的創造發明吧，甚至還有專供我們的眼睛、耳朵、鼻子享用的東西哩。" 於是第二隻狗接口道："比較起來，我們更加關心藝術。我們對月亮吠叫，比我們的祖先更有節奏。我們往水里凝望我們自己時，我們看見我們的容貌，比往昔的狗兒的容貌更加清晰。" 然後第三隻狗說道："不過，我最感興趣而又使我心靈愉快的，便是那存在於狗國之間的安寧的相互理解。" 就在這剎那之間，它們張眼一看，啊，捕狗者在走近來了。

三隻狗竄了起來，往大街上逃跑；奔跑之際，第三隻狗說道：請在上帝面上，趕緊逃命吧。文明在追捕我們哩。 " Peace And War Three dogs were basking in the sun and conversing. The first dog said dreamily, "It is indeed wondrous to be living in this day of dogdom. Consider the ease with which we travel under the sea, upon the earth and even in the sky. And meditate for a moment upon the inventions brought forth for the comfort of dogs, even for our eyes and ears and noses."

And the second dog spoke and he said, "We are more heedful of the arts. We bark at the moon more rhythmically than did our forefathers. And when we gaze at ourselves in the water we see that our features are clearer than the features of yesterday." Then the third dog spoke and said, "But what interests me most and beguiles my mind is the tranquil understanding existing between dogdoms."

At that very moment they looked, and lo, the dog-catcher was approaching. The three dogs sprang up and scampered down the street; and as they ran the third dog said, "For Gods sake, run for your lives. Civilization is after us."