A ploughman loosed his oxen from the plough, and led them away to the water to drink. While he was absent a half-starved wolf appeared on the scene, and went up to the plough and began chewing the leather straps1 attached to the yoke2. As he gnawed3 away desperately4 in the hope of satisfying his craving5 for food, he somehow got entangled6 in the harness, and, taking fright, struggled to get free, tugging7 at the traces as if he would drag the plough along with him. Just then the ploughman came back, and seeing what was happening, he cried, "Ah, you old rascal8, I wish you would give up thieving for good and take to honest work instead."
农夫松开牛脖子上挂着的牛轭，牵着它们到水边去喝水。这时，一只饿得半死的狼出现了，他走到犁旁边，开始咀嚼牛轭上的皮套。为了能够填饱肚子，狼拼命地啃着皮套，不知不觉就将头伸进了牛轭中，惊慌中的狼拼命挣扎着想重获自由，结果只好拉着犁跑，就像要去田里耕地似的。恰巧农夫回来了，看到眼前发生的一切，便说：“这个可恶的东西，但愿你弃恶从善，干点正经事。”
