Category Archives: GREECE
351.The Woman and Her Hen
A WOMAN had a hen that gave her an egg every day. She often thought of how she might get two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the hen a double allowance of barley. From that day the hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg.
350.The Wolves and the Sheepdogs
THE WOLVES once said to the sheepdogs:
“Why should you, who are like us in so many things, not be entirely of one mind with us, and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in one point only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and put collars on your necks. They make you also guard their sheep, and while they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the sheep, and we will enjoy them in common, till we all are surfeited.”
The dogs listened favorably to these proposals, and, entering the den of the wolves, they were set on and torn to pieces.
❖ Isolation means abolishment .
349.The Wolves and the Sheep
“WHY SHOULD there always be this fear and slaughter between us?” said the wolves to the sheep. “Those evil-disposed dogs have much to answer for. They always bark whenever we approach you and attack us before we have done any harm. If you would only dismiss them from your heels, there might soon be treaties of peace and reconciliation between us.”
The sheep, poor silly creatures, were easily beguiled and dismissed the dogs, whereupon the wolves destroyed the unguarded flock at their own pleasure.
348.The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape
A WOLF accused a fox of theft, but the fox entirely denied the charge. An ape undertook to judge the matter between them. When each had fully stated his case the ape announced this sentence:
“I don’t think you, wolf, ever lost what you claim; and I do believe you, Fox, to have stolen what you so stoutly deny.”
❖ The dishonest, if they act honestly, get no credit.
