There happened a controversy1 between an oak and a willow2, upon the subject of strength, constancy, and patience, and which of the two should have the preference. The oak upbraided3（責(zé)罵） the willow, that it was weak and wavering, and gave way to every blast. The willow made no other reply, than that the next tempest（暴風(fēng)雨） should resolve that question.

　　Some very little while after this dispute, it blew a violent storm. The willow plied4, and gave way to the gust5, and still recovered itself again, without receiving any damage, but the oak was stubborn, and chose rather to break than bend.

　　橡樹和柳樹發(fā)生了爭執(zhí)，比誰在力量、穩(wěn)定性和柔韌性上更有優(yōu)勢，看誰更應(yīng)得到人們的偏愛。橡樹指責(zé)柳樹，說他柔弱，搖擺不定，疾風(fēng)一來就隨風(fēng)倒。柳樹只說句暴風(fēng)雨中自見高低勝負(fù)，便不再多言。

　　不久，狂風(fēng)大作，柳樹隨風(fēng)搖擺，終又恢復(fù)了原樣，沒有受到任何損傷?？墒牵饦浜芫髲?，寧愿被折斷也不愿意彎腰屈身。