Ivan Krylov
The Peasant and The Sheep

A Peasant had a Sheep indicted
And brought to trial for a heinous crime.
The judge, a Fox, was not one to waste time.
He told both parties: “Now, without getting excited
And shouting at each other, tell the Court just what took place.
Include all evidence material to the case.”

The Peasant testified: "On such-and-such a date,
One of my hens was missing. On the ground
I saw some bones and feathers. And I hereby state
That Sheep, there, was the only one around.”

“I’m innocent, Your Honor,” said the Sheep.
“Just ask my friends: they’ll tell you I was fast asleep
That whole night. Anyway, who ever heard
Of a lamb committing larceny
Plus murder in the first degree?
Besides, I never eat the flesh of beast or bird.”

Here is Judge Fox's ruling, word for word:
“The Court finds it cannot accept
Sheep’s arguments. These clever thieves are most adept,
1 can assure you, at making someone else their dupe.
Also, as Plaintiff’s testimony shows,
Sheep spent that whole night near the chicken coop.

Now, hens are very' tasty, as every body knows;
Thus tempted, anyone would drool.
The question is, in short:
Could Defendant have desisted from devouring the Deceased?
Obviously not. Therefore, I rule
That Sheep, whose guilt is evident, be put to death and fleeced,
His wool assigned to Plaintiff, and his carcass to the Court.”

Translated by Guy Daniels