THE SHEEP, THE WOLF, AND THE STAG

 


121. THE SHEEP, THE WOLF, AND THE STAG  A stag once asked a sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, saying that his friend the wolf would be his surety. The sheep, however, was afraid that they meant to cheat her; so she excused herself, saying, “The wolf is in the habit of seizing what he wants and running off with it without paying, and you, too, can run much faster than I. So how shall I be able to come up with either of you when the debt falls due?” Two blacks do not make a white.


122. THE LION AND THE THREE BULLS Three bulls were grazing in a meadow, and were watched by a lion, who longed to capture and devour them, but who felt that he was no match for the three so long as they kept together. So he began by false whispers and malicious hints to foment jealousies and distrust among them. This stratagem succeeded so well that ere long the bulls grew cold and unfriendly, and finally avoided each other and fed each one by himself apart. No sooner did the lion see this than he fell upon them one by one and killed them in turn. The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.


123. THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER  A young man, who fancied himself something of a horseman, mounted a horse which had not been properly broken in and was exceedingly difficult to control. No sooner did the horse feel his weight in the saddle than he bolted, and nothing would stop him. A friend of the rider’s met him in the road in his headlong career, and called out, “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” To which he, pointing to the horse, replied, “I’ve no idea. Ask him.”


124. THE GOAT AND THE VINE  A goat was straying in a vineyard, and began to browse on the tender shoots of a vine which bore several fine bunches of grapes. “What have I done to you,” said the vine, “that you should harm me thus? Isn’t there grass enough for you to feed on? All the same, even if you eat up every leaf I have, and leave me quite bare, I shall produce wine enough to pour over you when you are led to the altar to be sacrificed.”


125. THE TWO POTS  Two pots, one of earthenware and the other of brass, were carried away down a river in flood. The brazen pot urged his companion to keep close by his side, and he would protect him. The other thanked him, but begged him not to come near him on any account. “For that,” he said, “is just what I am most afraid of. One touch from you and I should be broken in pieces.” Equals make the best friends.

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