Monthly Archives: August 2013
17.The Apes and the Two Travellers
TWO MEN, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were travelling together and by chance came to the land of apes. One of the apes there had raised him to be king, and he commanded them to be seized and brought before him, so that he might know what was said of him among men. At the same time he ordered that all the apes were to be seated in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, just as was the custom among men. After these preparations he made signs that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation:
“What sort of a king do I seem to be to you, strangers?”
The lying traveller replied,
“You seem to me a most mighty king.”
“And what do you think of those you see around me?”
“They appear to be worthy companions of yourself, at least fit to be ambassadors and leaders of armies.”
The ape and all his court were gratified with the lie and gave the flatterer a very handsome present. On this the truthful traveller thought to himself, “If such a great a reward is given for a lie, what will I not get in reward if I tell the truth as I am used to do?”
The ape quickly turned to him.
“And how do I and my friends around me seem to you?”
“You are a most excellent ape,” he said, “and your companions are excellent apes too.”
The king of the apes flew into a rage at hearing these truths and gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions.
❖ Lowliness of decent, simple people may be lifted up through truths well given and sorted out.
❖ In hard and trying circumstances it could work best to weigh and consider well inside oneself, while at the same time being very modest in expressing oneself.
❖ Watch your words in circumstances you don’t know so much of.
16.The Ants and the Grasshopper
THE ANTS were spending a fine winter’s day drying grain they had gathered in the summertime. A grasshopper that was at the brink of starving with hunger passed by and begged for a little food. The ants asked him,
“Why didn’t you treasure up food during the summer?”
The grasshopper replied, “I didn’t have enough leisure for it. I passed the days in singing.”
They said, again, “If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supper less to bed in the winter.”
❖ Beset with difficulties, many stop breathing freely.
❖ The superior one tries to prepare for hard times later on, as he can perceive them in the coming.
❖IT IS BEST TO PREPARE FOR THE DAYS OF NECESSITY.
15.The Ant and the Dove
AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and got carried away by the rushing stream. When he was on the point of drowning, a dove saw him from where she sat on a tree that was overhanging the water. She plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to the ant. The ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank.
Shortly afterwards a bird catcher came along. He placed himself under that tree and laid his lime-twigs for the dove in the branches. The ant understood what he was up to and stung him in the foot. In pain the bird catcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the dove take wing.
❖ One good turn deserves another.
14.Sir Success, Sir Voyager, Lady Minerva, and Momus
ACCORDING to an ancient legend, the first man was made by Sir Success, the first bull by his brother, Sir Voyager, and the first house by the musical Lady Minerva. After completed their labors, a dispute arose among them as to which had made the most perfect work. They agreed to appoint a certain man, Momus, as judge, and to abide by his decision. Momus, however, was very envious of the handicraft of each, and found fault with all.
First he blamed the work of Sir Voyager because he had not made the horns of the bull below his eyes, so he might better see where to strike.
He then condemned the work of Sir Success, because he had not placed the heart of man on the outside so that everyone might read the thoughts of the evil disposed and take precautions against the intended mischief.
And, lastly, he protested against Lady Minerva because she had not contrived iron wheels in the foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might more easily remove if a neighbor proved to be unpleasant.
Sir Success became indignant at such inveterate faultfinding, drove him from his office of judge, and expelled him from the mansions of the lords where he was settled.
❖ Judge well yourself before you criticize.
❖ One should neither judge beings nor works of art by invented defects.
❖ Gently to hear, kindly to judge.
