THE OX AND THE FROG

 

96. THE MICE AND THE WEASELS There was war between the mice and the weasels, in which the mice always got the worst of it, numbers of them being killed and eaten by the weasels. So they called a council of war, in which an old mouse got up and said, “It’s no wonder we are always beaten, for we have no generals to plan our battles and direct our movements in the field.” Acting on his advice, they chose the biggest mice to be their leaders, and these, in order to be distinguished from the rank and file, provided themselves with helmets bearing large plumes of straw. They then led out the mice to battle, confident of victory; but they were defeated as usual, and were soon scampering as fast as they could to their holes. All made their way to safety without difficulty except the leaders, who were so hampered by the badges of their rank that they could not get into their holes, and fell easy victims to their pursuers. Greatness carries its own penalties.

97. THE PEACOCK AND JUNO The peacock was greatly discontented because he had not a beautiful voice like the nightingale, and he went and complained to Juno about it. “The nightingale’s song,” said he, “is the envy of all the birds; but whenever I utter a sound I become a laughingstock.” The goddess tried to console him by saying, “You have not, it is true, the power of song, but then you far excel all the rest in beauty. Your neck flashes like the emerald, and your splendid tail is a marvel of gorgeous color.” But the peacock was not appeased. “What is the use,” said he, “of being beautiful, with a voice like mine?” Then Juno replied, with a shade of sternness in her tones, “Fate has allotted to all their destined gifts: to yourself beauty, to the eagle strength, to the nightingale song, and so on to all the rest in their degree. But you alone are dissatisfied with your portion. Make, then, no more complaints, for if your present wish were granted, you would quickly find cause for fresh discontent.”

98. THE BEAR AND THE FOX  A bear was once bragging about his generous feelings, and saying how refined he was compared with other animals. (There is, in fact, a tradition that a bear will never touch a dead body.) A fox, who heard him talking in this strain, smiled and said, “My friend, when you are hungry, I only wish you would confine your attention to the dead and leave the living alone.” A hypocrite deceives no one but himself.

99. THE ASS AND THE OLD PEASANT  An old peasant was sitting in a meadow watching his ass, which was grazing close by, when all of a sudden he caught . sight of armed men stealthily approaching. He jumped up in a moment, and begged the ass to fly with him as fast as he could, “Or else,” said he, “we shall both be captured by the enemy.” But the ass just looked round lazily and said, “And if so, do you think they’ll make me carry heavier loads than I have to now?” “No,” said his master. “Oh, well, then,” said the ass, “I don’t mind if they do take me, for I shan’t be any worse off.”

100. THE OX AND THE FROG  Two little frogs were playing about at the edge of a pool when an ox came down to the water to drink, and by accident trod on one of them and crushed the life out of him. When the old frog missed him, she asked his brother where he was. “He is dead, mother,” said the little frog; “an enormous big creature with four legs came to our pool this morning and trampled him down in the mud.” “Enormous, was he? Was he as big as this?” said the frog, puffing herself out to look as big as possible. “Oh! Yes, much bigger,” was the answer. The frog puffed herself out still more. “Was he as big as this?” said she. “Oh! Yes, yes, mother, MUCH bigger,” said the little frog. And yet again she puffed and puffed herself out till she was almost as round as a ball. “As big as ... ?” she began—but then she burst.