Category Archives: GREECE

311.The Thrush and the Fowler

A THRUSH was feeding on a myrtle-tree and did not move from it because its berries were so delicious. A Fowler observed her staying so long in one spot, and having well bird-limed his reeds, caught her. The thrush, being at the point of death, exclaimed,

“Foolish creature that I am! For the sake of a little pleasant food I have deprived myself of my life.”

Don’t sacrifice your for trivial benefits.

310.The Three Tradesmen

A GREAT CITY was besieged, and its inhabitants were called together to consider the best means of protecting it from the enemy. A bricklayer earnestly recommended bricks as affording the best material for an effective resistance. A Carpenter, with equal enthusiasm, proposed timber as a preferable method of defense. On which a currier stood up and said,

“Sirs, I differ from you altogether: there is no material for resistance equal to a covering of hides; and nothing so good as leather.”

Every man for himself, they say.

309.The Thirsty Pigeon

A PIGEON, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. Not supposing it to be only a picture, she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed against the signboard, jarring herself terribly. Having broken her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, and was caught by one of the bystanders.

Zeal should not outrun discretion.

308.The Thieves and the Cock

SOME THIEVES broke into a house and found nothing but a cock, whom they stole, and got off as fast as they could. On arriving at home they prepared to kill the cock, who thus pleaded for his life:

“Pray spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I wake them up in the night to their work.”

“That is the very reason why we must the more kill you,” they replied; “for when you wake your neighbours, you entirely put an end to our business.”

The safeguards of virtue are hateful to those with evil intentions.