Monthly Archives: September 2013
251.The North Wind and the Sun
THE NORTH WIND and the sun disputed as to which was the most powerful, and agreed that he should be declared the victor who could first strip a wayfaring man of his clothes.
The north wind first tried his power and blew with all his might, but the keener his blasts, the closer the traveller wrapped his cloak around him, till at last, resigning all hope of victory, the wind called on the sun to see what he could do. The sun suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The traveller no sooner felt his genial rays than he took off one garment after another, and at last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed and bathed in a stream that lay in his path.
❖ Grand persuasion may work better than force.
250.The Mules and the Robbers
TWO MULES well-laden with packs were trudging along. One carried baskets filled with money, the other sacks weighted with grain. The mule carrying the treasure walked with head erect, as if conscious of the value of his burden, and tossed up and down the clear-toned bells fastened to his neck. His companion followed with quiet and easy step. All of a sudden Robbers rushed on them from their hiding-places, and in the scuffle with their owners, wounded with a sword the mule carrying the treasure, which they greedily seized while taking no notice of the grain. The mule which had been robbed and wounded bewailed his misfortunes. The other replied,
“I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.”
Because of GREED I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.
249.The Mule
A MULE, frolicsome from lack of work and from too much corn, galloped about in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself:
“My father surely was a high-mettled racer, and I am his own child in speed and spirit.”
On the next day, being driven a long journey, and feeling very wearied, he exclaimed in a disconsolate tone:
“I must have made a mistake; my father, after all, could have been only a donkey.”
Blaming others is easy.
248.The Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk
A MOUSE who always lived on the land, by an unlucky chance formed an intimate acquaintance with a frog, who lived for the most part in the water. The frog, one day intent on mischief, bound the foot of the mouse tightly to his own. Thus joined together, the frog first of all led his friend the mouse to the meadow where they were used to find their food. After this, he gradually led him towards the pool in which he lived, till reaching the very brink, he suddenly jumped in, dragging the mouse with him. The frog enjoyed the water amazingly, and swam croaking about, as if he had done a good deed. The unhappy Mouse was soon suffocated by the water, and his dead body floated about on the surface, tied to the foot of the frog. A Hawk observed it, and, pouncing on it with his talons, carried it aloft. The frog, being still fastened to the leg of the mouse, was also carried off a prisoner, and was eaten by the hawk.
❖ Harm hatch, harm catch.
