A Peasant had in his garden an Apple-Tree which bore no fruit but only served as a harbor for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and taking his axe in his hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labors. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his axe. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his axe, and looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it. Self-interest alone moves some men. 一位农夫的果园里有棵苹果树不结果实，只是充当麻雀和蚱蜢的栖息之所。农夫决定砍掉这棵苹果树，于是挥起手中的斧头，朝树根用力砍去。蚱蜢和麻雀乞求农夫不要砍掉它们栖居的这棵树，求他手下留情。它们愿意为农夫唱歌，帮他减轻劳苦。农夫无视它们的请求，继续朝苹果树砍了第二斧、第三斧。 当农夫砍到这棵树的树洞时，发现了一个蜂巢，里面满满的都是蜂蜜。农夫尝过蜂蜜后，便丢下了手中的斧头，将这棵树视为神木，格外用心地爱护它。 只有私利才能打动某些人。