Monthly Archives: September 2013
215.The Lion and the Statue
A MAN and a Lion were discussing the relative strength of men and lions in general. The Man contended that he and his fellows were stronger than lions by reason of their greater intelligence. “Come now with me,” he cried, “and I will soon prove that I am right.” So he took him into the public gardens and showed him a statue of Hercules overcoming the Lion and tearing his mouth in two. 1
“That is all very well,” said the Lion, “but proves nothing, for it was a man who made the statue.”
❖ WE CAN EASILY REPRESENT THINGS AS WE WISH THEM TO BE.
❖ One story is good, till another is told.
214.The Lion and the Shepherd
A LION, roaming through a forest, trod on a thorn. Soon afterward he came up to a shepherd and fawned on him, wagging his tail as if to say, “I do indeed seek your aid.”
The shepherd boldly examined the beast, discovered the thorn, and placing his paw on his lap, pulled it out. Thus relieved of his pain, the lion returned into the forest.
Sometime after, the shepherd, being imprisoned on a false accusation, was condemned “to be cast to the lions” as the punishment for his imputed crime. But when the lion was released from his cage, he recognized the shepherd as the man who healed him, and instead of attacking him, approached and placed his foot on his lap. The king, as soon as he heard the tale, ordered the lion to be set free again in the forest, and the shepherd to be pardoned and restored to his friends.
❖ That is well spoken that is well taken.
213.The Lion and the Mouse
A LION was awakened from sleep by a mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the mouse piteously entreated, saying: “If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness.”
The lion laughed and let him go. It happened shortly after this that the lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by strops to the ground.
The mouse, recognising his roar, came gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaiming,
“You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favour; now you know that it is possible for even a mouse to confer benefits on a big lion.”
❖ Height and size do not take care of everything.
212.The Lion and the Hare
A LION came across a hare who was fast asleep. He was just in the act of seizing her, when a fine young hart trotted by, and he left the hare to follow him. The hare, scared by the noise, awoke and scudded away. The lion was unable after a long chase to catch the hart, and returned to feed on the hare. On finding that the hare also had run off, he said,
“I deserved what I got, for having let go of the food that I had in my hand for the chance of obtaining more.”
❖ Don’t nurse your sorrows.
❖ A Bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
