The Fox Is Sad At The Death of The Hare

Once a fox and a hare became friends with the purpose of defending themselves against their joint enemy, hunters, and swore to partake their fate for each other in weal or woe. One day as they were enjoying the natural beauty together in the fields, all of a sudden, a party of hunters came and the hare was instantly shot dead. The fox had a narrow escape. After the hunters had gone, the fox came and wept over the death of his mate.

An elderly gentleman who happened to pass by was surprised at the scene. Curiously, he asked the fox the reason of her bitter weeping.
The fox sorrowfully replied: "We are small animals and being the prey of hunters had planned to defend ourselves against our joint enemy, hunters, promising to partake our fate for each others in weal or woe. Now our enemy has killed my companion his death may mean the death of me tomorrow. We are real friends and real friends must share everything. How could I not help weeping!"

"Oh, I see. You have good reasons to weep over the death of a partner," exclaimed the elderly gentleman.

The idiom "The fox is sad at the death of the hare" comes for the story above, illustrating one feels sad for the death or misfortunes of his companions.

兔死狐悲

從前，一隻兔子和一隻狐狸為對付共同的敵人－－獵人，彼此聯盟發誓，發誓要同生死，共患難。一天，當他們正在田野裡享受大自然的美景時，不料一群獵人突然前來，一箭就射死了兔子，狐狸也險遭不測。獵人走後，狐狸就跑到兔子身旁，哀泣悲悼。

有個長者經過，看見狐狸在兔子旁邊哭泣，覺得奇怪，就問狐狸哭泣的原因。 狐狸悲哀的說：「我和兔子同樣是微小的動物，是獵人捕獵的對象。我們相約共同對敵， 共生死，同患難。現在我的同盟被獵人射死，他今日的死亡，意味著我明天的死亡。我們是真正的朋友，我哪能不傷心哭泣呢！」

長者聽了，歎著氣，說：「你為這樣的同伴哀悼哭得有理！」

「兔死狐悲」這個成語就是由這個故事而來的。表示對同類的死亡或不幸的傷心。