Three Bulls were grazing in a meadow, and were watched by a Lion,

三头公牛在草地上吃草，一只狮子正在盯着它们，

who longed to capture and devour them,

他已经觊觎他们很久了，

but who felt that he was no match for the three so long as they kept together.

但他又能感觉到，只要他们三个一直在一起，他就不是他们的对手。

So he began by false whispers and malicious hints to foment jealousies and distrust among them.

因此，他开始用虚假的窃窃私语和恶意的暗示，在他们之间挑起猜忌和怀疑。

This stratagem succeeded so well that ere long the Bulls grew cold and unfriendly,

这个计谋成功了，不久，三头公牛开始变得冷淡，互相猜忌。

and finally avoided each other and fed each one by himself apart.

最后，他们互相避开，各自吃各自地盘上的草。

No sooner did the Lion see this than he fell upon them one by one and killed them in turn.

不久后狮子察觉到这一情况，就一个接一个地扑向他们，并把他们一个个吃掉了。

The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.

朋友间的争吵给了敌人可乘之机。