THE WOLF AND THE GOAT

 

176. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT  A wolf caught sight of a goat browsing above him on the scanty herbage that grew on the top of a steep rock; and being unable to get at her, tried to induce her to come lower down. “You are risking your life up there, madam, indeed you are,” he called out. “Pray take my advice and come down here, where you will find plenty of better food.” The goat turned a knowing eye upon him. “It’s little you care whether I get good grass or bad,” said she. “What you want is to eat me.”

177. THE SICK STAG  A stag fell sick and lay in a clearing in the forest, too weak to move from the spot. When the news of his illness spread, a number of the other beasts came to inquire after his health, and they one and all nibbled a little of the grass that grew round the invalid till at last there was not a blade within his reach. In a few days he began to mend, but was still too feeble to get up and go in search of fodder; and thus he perished miserably of hunger owing to the thoughtlessness of his friends.

178. THE ASS AND THE MULE  A certain man who had an ass and a mule loaded them both up one day and set out upon a journey. So long as the road was fairly level, the ass got on very well; but by and by they came to a place among the hills where the road was very rough and steep, and the ass was at his last gasp. So he begged the mule to relieve him of a part of his load, but the mule refused. At last, from sheer weariness, the ass stumbled and fell down a steep place and was killed. The driver was in despair, but he did the best he could. He added the ass’s load to the mule’s and he also flayed the ass and put his skin on the top of the double load. The mule could only just manage the extra weight, and, as he staggered painfully along, he said to himself, “I have only got what I deserved. If I had been willing to help the ass at first, I should not now be carrying his load and his skin into the bargain.”

179. BROTHER AND SISTER  A certain man had two children, a boy and a girl; and the boy was as goodlooking as the girl was plain. One day, as they .were playing together in their mother’s chamber, they chanced upon a mirror and saw their own features for the first time. The boy saw what a handsome fellow he was, and began to boast to his sister about his good looks. She, on her part, was ready to cry with vexation when she was aware of her plainness, and took his remarks as an insult to herself. Running to her father, she told him of her brother’s conceit, and accused him of meddling with his mother’s things. He laughed and kissed them both, and said, “My children, learn from now onwards to make a good use of the glass. You, my boy, strive to be as good as it shows you to be handsome; and you, my girl, resolve to make up for the plainness of your features by the sweetness of your disposition.”

180. THE HEIFER AND THE OX  A heifer went up to an ox, who was straining hard at the plow, and sympathized with him in a rather patronizing sort of way on the necessity of his having to work so hard. Not long afterwards there was a festival in the village and everyone kept holiday. But, whereas the ox was turned loose into the pasture, the heifer was seized and led off to sacrifice. “Ah,” said the ox, with a grim smile, “I see now why you were allowed to have such an idle time. It was because you were always intended for the altar.”