Category Archives: GREECE
278.The Raven and the Swan
A RAVEN saw a swan and desired to secure for himself the same beautiful feathers. Supposing that the swan’s splendid white color arose from his washing in the water in which he swam, the raven left the neighborhood where he picked up his living and started to live in the lakes and pools. But cleansing his feathers as often as he would, he could not change their color, and in the end he perished through want of food.
❖ Change of habit cannot alter Nature.
❖ Make one wrong step and down you go.
277.The Quack Frog
A FROG once on a time came forth from his home in the marsh and proclaimed to all the beasts that he was a learned physician, skilled in the use of drugs and able to heal all diseases.
A fox asked him,
“How can you pretend to prescribe for others, when you are unable to heal your own lame gait and wrinkled skin?”
276.The Pomegranate, Apple-Tree, and Bramble
THE POMEGRANATE and apple-tree disputed as to which was the most beautiful. When their strife was at its height, a bramble from the neighboring hedge lifted up its voice, and said in a boastful tone:
“Oh my dear friends, in my presence at least cease from such vain disputes.”
275.The Piglet, the Sheep, and the Goat
A YOUNG PIG was shut up in a fold-yard with a goat and a sheep. On one occasion when the shepherd laid hold of him, he grunted and squeaked and resisted violently. The sheep and the goat complained of his distressing cries, saying,
“He often handles us, and we do not cry out.”
The pig replied,
“Your handling and mine are very different things. He catches you only for your wool, or your milk, but he lays hold on me for my very life.”
