THE OAK AND THE REEDS

 

41. THE OAK AND THE REEDS  An oak that grew on the bank of a river was uprooted by a severe gale of wind, and thrown across the stream. It fell among some reeds growing by the water, and said to them, “How is it that you, who are so frail and slender, have managed to weather the storm, whereas I, with all my strength, have been torn up by the roots and hurled into the river?” “You were stubborn,” came the reply, “and fought against the storm, which proved stronger than you. But we bow and yield to every breeze, and thus the gale passed harmlessly over our heads.”

42. THE BLIND MAN AND THE CUB  There was once a blind man who had so fine a sense of touch that when any animal was put into his hands he could tell what it was merely by the feel of it.One day the cub of a wolf was put into his hands, and he was asked what it was. He felt it for some time, and then said, “Indeed, I am not sure whether it is a wolfs cub or a fox’s. But this I know: It would never do to trust it in a sheepfold.” Evil tendencies are early shown.

43. THE BOY AND THE SNAILS  A farmer’s boy went looking for snails, and when he had picked up both his hands full he set about making a fire at which to roast them, for he meant to eat them. When it got well alight and the snails began to feel the heat, they gradually withdrew more and more into their shells with the hissing noise they always make when they do so. When the boy heard it, he said, “You abandoned creatures, how can you find heart to whistle when your houses are burning?”

44. THE APES AND THE TWO TRAVELERS Two men were traveling together, one of whom never spoke the truth, whereas the other never told a lie; and they came in the course of their travels to the land of apes. The king of the apes, hearing of their arrival, ordered them to be brought before him; and by way of impressing them with his magnificence, he received them sitting on a throne, while the apes, his subjects, were ranged in long rows on either side of him. When the travelers came into his presence he asked them what they thought of him as a king. The lying traveler said, “Sire, everyone must see that you are a most noble and mighty monarch.” “And what do you think of my subjects ?” continued the king. “They,” said the traveler, “are in every way worthy of their royal master.” The ape was so delighted with his answer that he gave him a very handsome present. The other traveler thought that if his companion was rewarded so splendidly for telling a lie, he himself would certainly receive a still greater reward for telling the truth. So when the ape turned to him and said, “And what, sir, is your opinion?” he replied, “I think you are a very fine ape, and all your subjects are fine apes too.” The king of the apes was so enraged at his reply that he ordered him to be taken away and clawed to death.

45. THE ASS AND HIS BURDENS  A peddler who owned an ass one day bought a quantity of salt and loaded up his beast with as much as he could bear. On the way home the ass stumbled as he was crossing a stream and fell into the water. The salt got thoroughly wetted and much of it melted and drained away, so that, when he got on his legs again, the ass found his load had become much less heavy. His master, however, drove him back to town and bought more salt, which he added to what remained in the panniers, and started out again. No sooner had they reached a stream than the ass lay down in it, and rose, as before, with a much lighter load. But his master detected the trick and, turning back once more, bought a large number of sponges, and piled them on the back of the ass. When they came to the stream the ass again lay down. But this time, as the sponges soaked up large quantities of water, he found, when he got up on his legs that he had a bigger burden to carry than ever. You may play a good card once too often.