131.The Fisherman Piping

A FISHERMAN skilled in music, took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock, he played several tunes. By that he hoped that the fish would be attracted by his melody and of their own accord dance into his net where he had placed it below somewhere.

At last, after waiting long in vain, he laid aside his flute, and cast his net into the sea. Then he made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net on the rock he said:

“You funny creatures. When I piped, you would not dance. But now that I have ceased, you do it merrily.”

Caught fish isn’t merry: Not everyone that dances needs a happy tune.

The problem is one of faulty method. To blame one’s faulty ways on others can reveal stubborn stupidity as well.

“WHEN YOU ARE IN A MAN’S POWER YOU MUST DO AS HE BIDS YOU.”

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