216.The Lion in a Farmyard
A LION entered a farmyard. The farmer, wishing to catch him, shut the gate. When the lion found that he could not escape, he flew on the sheep and killed them, and then attacked the oxen. The farmer, beginning to be alarmed for his own safety, opened the gate and released the lion. On his departure the farmer grievously lamented the destruction of his sheep and oxen, but his wife, who had been a spectator to all that took place, said,
“On my word, you are rightly served, for how could you for a moment think of shutting up a lion along with you in your farmyard when you know that you shake in your shoes if you only hear his roar at a distance?”
❖ Honesty which spoils the man and make it all worse for him, is hardly the best honesty to find.
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.
