288.The Shepherd and the Sea
A SHEPHERD, keeping watch over his sheep near the shore, saw the sea very calm and smooth, and longed to make a voyage with a view to commerce. He sold all his flock, invested it in a cargo of dates, and set sail. But a very great tempest came on, and the ship being in danger of sinking, he threw all his merchandise overboard, and barely escaped with his life in the empty ship. Not long afterwards when someone passed by and observed the unruffled calm of the sea, he interrupted him and said,
“It is again in want of dates, and therefore looks quiet.”
❖ When largely out of your waters, it may pay to keep your explanations quite tentative.
287.The Shepherd and the Dog
A SHEPHERD penning his sheep in the fold for the night was about to shut up a wolf with them, when his dog perceiving the wolf said,
“Master, how can you expect the sheep to be safe if you admit a wolf into the fold?”
❖ A good question does not always demand any words in answer.
286.The She-Goats and Their Beards
THE SHE-GOATS having obtained a beard by request to Jove, the he-Goats were sorely displeased and made complaint that the females equalled them in dignity.
“Allow them,” said Jove, “to enjoy an empty honour and to assume the badge of your nobler sex, so long as they are not your equals in strength or courage.”
❖ It matters if those who are inferior to us in merit get like us in outside appearances, but hardly enough.
285.The Serpent and the Eagle
A SERPENT and an eagle were struggling with each other in deadly conflict. The serpent had the advantage, and was about to strangle the bird. A countryman saw them, and running up, loosed the coil of the serpent and let the eagle go free. The serpent, irritated at the escape of his prey, injected his poison into the drinking horn of the countryman. The rustic, ignorant of his danger, was about to drink, when the eagle struck his hand with his wing, and, seizing the drinking horn in his talons, carried it aloft.
❖ Excellent help may be difficult to appreciate in a squeeze that is still unrecognised.