Tag Archives: Sir Success
218.The Lion, Sir Success, and the Elephant
THE LION wearied Sir Success with his frequent complaints.
“It is true, Sir Success,” he said, “that I am gigantic in strength, handsome in shape, and powerful in attack. I have jaws well provided with teeth, and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it over all the beasts of the forest, and what a disgrace it is, that being such as I am, I should be frightened by the crowing of a cock.”
Sir Success replied, “Why do you blame me without a cause? I have given you all the attributes which I possess myself, and your courage never fails you except in this one instance.”
On hearing this, the lion groaned and lamented very much and, reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die. As these thoughts passed through his mind, he met an elephant and came close to hold a conversation with him. After a time he observed that the elephant shook his ears very often, and he inquired what the matter was and why his ears moved with such a tremor every now and then. Just at that moment a gnat settled on the head of the elephant, and he replied,
“Do you see that little buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed. I should die presently.”
The lion said, “Well, since so huge a beast is afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself dead. I find myself, even as I am, better off than the elephant.”
❖ Who confesses inferiority can’t call it superiority too.
❖ How can inferiority that is confessed or shared, be made better for it?
14.Sir Success, Sir Voyager, Lady Minerva, and Momus
ACCORDING to an ancient legend, the first man was made by Sir Success, the first bull by his brother, Sir Voyager, and the first house by the musical Lady Minerva. After completed their labors, a dispute arose among them as to which had made the most perfect work. They agreed to appoint a certain man, Momus, as judge, and to abide by his decision. Momus, however, was very envious of the handicraft of each, and found fault with all.
First he blamed the work of Sir Voyager because he had not made the horns of the bull below his eyes, so he might better see where to strike.
He then condemned the work of Sir Success, because he had not placed the heart of man on the outside so that everyone might read the thoughts of the evil disposed and take precautions against the intended mischief.
And, lastly, he protested against Lady Minerva because she had not contrived iron wheels in the foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might more easily remove if a neighbor proved to be unpleasant.
Sir Success became indignant at such inveterate faultfinding, drove him from his office of judge, and expelled him from the mansions of the lords where he was settled.
❖ Judge well yourself before you criticize.
❖ One should neither judge beings nor works of art by invented defects.
❖ Gently to hear, kindly to judge.
