Category Archives: EUROPE
274.The Philosopher, the Ants, and Sir Transporter
A PHILOSOPHER witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, of which the crew and passengers were all drowned. He inveighed against the injustice of Providence, which would for the sake of one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent persons to perish. As he was indulging in these reflections, he found himself surrounded by a whole army of ants, near whose nest he was standing. One of them climbed up and stung him, and he at once trampled them all to death with his foot. Sir Transporter presented himself, and striking the philosopher with his wand, said,
“And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of Providence, who have yourself in a similar manner treated these poor ants?”
❖ Ants and persons seldom perish from refusing better things.
❖ Great things can be achieved by some who help one another.
273.The Serpent and the File
A SERPENT in the course of its wanderings came into an armourer’s shop. As he glided over the floor he felt his skin pricked by a file lying there. In a rage he turned round upon it and tried to dart his fangs into it; but he could do no harm to heavy iron and had soon to give over his wrath.
❖ IT IS USELESS ATTACKING THE INSENSIBLE.
272.The Peasant and the Apple Tree
A peasant had an apple tree growing in his garden, which bore no fruit, but merely served to provide a shelter from the heat for the sparrows and grasshoppers which sat and chirped in its branches. Disappointed at its barrenness he determined to cut it down, and went and fetched his ax for the purpose. But when the sparrows and the grasshoppers saw what he was about to do, they begged him to spare it, and said to him, “If you destroy the tree we shall have to seek shelter elsewhere, and you will no longer have our merry chirping to enliven your work in the garden.”
He, however, refused to listen to them, and set to work with a will to cut through the trunk. A few strokes showed that it was hollow inside and contained a swarm of bees and a large store of honey. Delighted with his find he threw down his ax, saying, “The old tree is worth keeping after all.”
❖ Utility is most men’s test of worth.
❖ Self-interest alone moves some men.
271.The Peacock and the Crane
A PEACOCK spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying,
“I am robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings.”
“True,” replied the crane; “but I soar to the heights of heaven and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the dunghill.”
❖ Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.
