Monthly Archives: August 2013
105.The Donkey, the Cock, and the Lion
A DONKEY and a cockerel were in a straw-yard together when a lion drew near. He was about to spring on the donkey when the cock crowed so loudly that the lion fled – it is said that lions fear the sound of crowing cocks.
The donkey imagined that the lion fled because of him, and galloped after him, intending to attack him. But when the lion had run a little off and could not hear the cock, he turned round, seized the donkey and tore him to pieces.
As he was dying, the donkey brayed,”How stupid of me to set out to fight when I was not born to warlike parents!”
❖ Overconfidence, no matter how sweet and brisk at first glance, may lead into trouble.
❖ In a good life, as good as everything needs to be treated with care, especially at the beginning, so that the return may lead to a flowering.
104.The Donkey in the Lion’s Skin
A DONKEY who had put on the skin of a lion, roamed about in the forest and amused himself by frightening all the animals he met. At last he came on a fox and tried to frighten him too.
But the fox had heard his voice before, and exclaimed,
“I could have been scared if I had not heard your bray.”
❖ Kings and nobility learnt how to get impressive by clothes and hermine and stuff, whereas the much simple-minded donkey failed along such a vein.
❖ The strong personality holds together with others that appear to complement his own nature.
❖ Don’t put on airs if you can do without it.
103.The Donkey Carrying the Image
A DONKEY once carried a famous wooden image through the streets of a city. The image was to be placed in a temple. As he passed along, the crowd bowed low before the image. The donkey thought that they bowed their heads in token of respect for him, and bristled up with pride. He started to bray and refused to move another step.
The driver guessed what he went through and gave him a whip about his shoulders, saying, “You stupid bonehead! Men have not yet started to adore a donkey.”
❖ Wise ones refuse to take the credit due to others.
❖ The superior man is inexhaustible in his will to teach.
❖ The swift approach may confer a good deal more influence that a belated one.
❖ But, really, isn’t a living being of taller value than carved and painted wood? Who were the ones to blame, really?
102.The Donkey and the Wolf
A DONKEY grazing in a small meadow saw a wolf creep up on him, and at once pretended to be lame. The wolf, coming nearer, asked why he was limping. The donkey said that he had passed through a hedge where he had trod with his foot on a sharp thorn. He advised that the wolf pull it out, so that it would not harm his throat when he ate him. The wolf agreed and lifted up the foot, and concentrated on the hoof. Then the donkey kicked his teeth into his mouth and galloped away. Fearfully mauled, the wolf said,
“I deserved what I got. Why did I attempt the art of healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?”
❖ Enthusiasm of the heart expresses itself in more than galloping away.
❖ Be firm as a rock if it helps you to keep alive.
❖ Those who undertake things which are outside their natural abilities and expertise, may be in for troubles.
