Monthly Archives: August 2013
61.The Cat and Lady Love
A CAT fell in love with a handsome young man, and begged Lady Love to change her into the form of a woman. Lady Love agreed to her request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride.
While the two were reclining in their chamber, Lady Love wishing to discover if the cat in her change of shape had also altered her habits of life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. The cat, quite forgetting her present condition, started up from the couch and pursued the mouse, wishing to eat it.
Lady Love was much disappointed and again caused her to return to her former shape.
❖ Nature exceeds nurture.
60.The Camel
WHEN MAN first saw the camel, he was so frightened at his large size that he ran away. After a time, perceiving that the beast was really meek and quite gentle, he summoned courage enough to approach him. Soon afterwards he found out he could domesticate the animal, and felt bold enough to put a bridle in his mouth, and to let a child drive him.
❖ Use serves to overcome dread, for good or bad.
59.The Camel and the Arab
AN ARAB camel-driver, after completing the loading of his camel, asked him which he would like best, to go up hill or down. The poor beast replied, not without a touch of reason:
“Why do you ask me? Is it that the level way through the desert is closed?”
❖ Many good ideas are born in idle minds.
58.The Camel and Jove
THE CAMEL, when he saw the bull adorned with horns, envied him and wished that he himself could win the same honors. He went to the protecting Jove, and besought him to give him horns. Jove, vexed at his request because he was not satisfied with his size and strength of body, and desired yet more, not only refused to give him horns, but even deprived him of a portion of his ears.
❖ Don’t ask for too much; your well-wisher may or may not get annoyed.