$课文41 训练大象

760. Two main techniques have been used for training elephants, which we may respectively the tough and the gentle.

驯象有两种主要的方法，我们分别称之为强硬法和温柔法。

761. The former method simply consists of setting an elephant to work and beating him until he does what is expected of him.

强硬法就是驱象去干活，把它打顺从为止。

762. Apart from moral considerations this is a stupid method of training,

且不说道义问题，这本身就是一种愚蠢的训练方法，

763. for it produces a resentful animal who at a later stage may well turn man-killer.

因为这种方法训练会使动物反感，在以后某个时期可能会变成伤人的动物。

764. The gentle method requires more patience in the early stages,

温柔法要求在最初阶段保持较大的耐心，

765. but produces a cheerful, good-tempered elephant who will give many years of loyal service.

但这种方法可以训练出性情愉快、脾气温顺，能忠实为人服务多年的大象。

766. The first essential in elephant training is to assign to the animal a single mahout who will be entirely responsible for the job.

驯象中至关生要的是指派一名专门的驯象员，全面负责这项工作。

767. Elephants like to have one master just as dogs do, and are capable of a considerable degree of personal affection.