the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the sleepy countryside.
夕阳西下，一道长长的阴影笼罩着寂静的乡村。
a lone ram lingered on the hillside, entranced by the beauty of the twilight sky.
一只孤独的公羊徘徊在山坡上，被暮色中美丽的天空迷住了。
little did he know, danger lurked in the form of a r**enous wolf emerging from the woods.
他不知道，危险正在逼近，一只贪婪的狼从树林里冲了出来。
a fierce struggle ensued.
一场激烈的战斗随之而来。
the ram, despite his br**ery, felt overwhelmed by the predator's strength.
公羊虽然勇敢，但它无法抵抗捕食者的力量。
his desperate cry for help echoed through the valley, reaching the ears of various animals heading home.
他绝望的呼救声在山谷中回荡，几只动物在回家的路上听到了。
the cow, powerful and proud, merely observed the scene from afar.
那头强壮而骄傲的母牛只是在远处看着。
the horse, swift and confident, did the same.
敏捷和自信的马匹也是如此。
the donkey, cunning and self-serving, opted for stealthy retreat.
狡猾自私的驴子选择悄悄撤退。
even the pig, known for its surprising ferocity, turned tail and fled.
就连以凶猛著称的猪也转身逃跑了。
only the dog, unassuming and loyal, heard the ram's plea.
只有谦卑而忠心的狗听到了公羊的恳求。
with the speed of the wind, he emerged from the tall grass, teeth bared, and clamped down on the wolf's neck.
他像风一样从高高的草丛中冲了出来，露出獠牙，抓住了狼的脖子。
the cry of the defeated predator marked the end of the battle.
被击败的捕食者的哀嚎标志着战斗的结束。
the next day, the ram, recovering from his ordeal, found himself surrounded by "concerned" neighbors.
第二天，公羊从磨难中恢复过来，发现自己被“有爱心”的邻居包围着。
the cow boasted of her devastating kicks, the horse of his crushing hooves, the donkey of his terrifying roar, the pig of its rock-toppling snout, and even the rabbit bragged about its lightning-fast escape.
牛吹嘘它们具有破坏性的腿，马吹嘘它们的蹄子可以粉碎一切，驴吹嘘它们可怕的咆哮声，猪吹嘘它们的鼻子可以掀翻岩石，甚至兔子也吹嘘它们闪电般的逃跑速度。
but the dog, the true s**ior, was absent.
然而，真正的救命恩人，狗，却不在场。
this glaring omission served as a stark reminder: trouble reveals true character.
这种明显的缺席清楚地提醒我们，逆境中可以看到真爱。
the article cleverly uses this fable to highlight the difference between genuine helpers and self-serving individuals.
这个比喻巧妙地利用了这个故事来突出当你需要帮助时真正伸出援手的人和自私的人之间的区别。
those who truly offer support in times of need stand out in contrast to the hollow claims and empty br**ado of those who disappear when the going gets tough.
那些在你最需要的时候提供支持的人，与那些在你遇到麻烦时消失得无影无踪的人的虚伪主张和虚张声势形成了鲜明的对比。