Category Archives: GREECE

282.The Seagull and the Kite

A SEAGULL having bolted down too large a fish, burst its deep gullet-bag and lay down on the shore to die. A kite saw him and exclaimed:

“You richly deserve your fate; for a bird of the air has no business to seek its food from the sea.”

Every man should be content to mind his own business.

281.The Rose and the Amaranth

AN AMARANTH planted in a garden near a rose-tree, thus addressed it:

“What a lovely flower is the rose, a favourite with men and women. I envy you your beauty and your perfume.”

The rose replied,

“I indeed, dear Amaranth, flourish but for a brief season! If no cruel hand pluck me from my stem, yet I must perish by an early doom. But you are immortal and never fade, but bloom for ever in renewed youth.”

Don’t think too well of others and their conditions.

One is to rise above superficial appearances and immediate issues.

280.The Rivers and the Sea

THE RIVERS joined together to complain to the sea, saying,

“Why is it that when we flow into your tides so potable and sweet, you work in us such a change, and make us salty and unfit to drink?”

The sea, perceiving that they intended to throw the blame on him, said,

“Well, cease to flow into me, and then you will not be made briny.”

Don’t accuse if you’re unsure.

279.The Rich Man and the Tanner

A RICH MAN lived near a tanner, and not being able to bear the unpleasant smell of the tan-yard, he pressed his neighbor to go away. The tanner put off his departure from time to time, saying that he would leave soon. But as he still continued to stay, as time went on, the rich man became used to the smell, and feeling no manner of inconvenience, made no further complaints.