136.The Flies and the Honey-Pot
A NUMBER of flies were attracted to a jar of honey which had been overturned in a housekeeper’s room, and placing their feet in it, ate greedily. Their feet, however, became so smeared with the honey that they could not use their wings, nor release themselves, and were suffocated. Just as they were expiring, they exclaimed,
“Foolish creatures that we are, for the sake of a little pleasure we have destroyed ourselves.”
❖ Pleasure bought with pains, hurts.
135.The Flea and the Wrestler
A FLEA settled on the bare foot of a wrestler and bit him, causing the man to call loudly on Sir Herakles for help. When the flea a second time hopped on his foot, he groaned and said,
“Sir Herakles! if you will not help me against a flea, how can I hope for your assistance against greater antagonists?”
❖ Flattery is a resort of fools.
134.The Flea and the Ox
A FLEA thus questioned an ox:
“What ails you, that being so huge and strong, you submit to the wrongs you receive from men and slave for them day by day, while I, being so small a creature, mercilessly feed on their flesh and drink their blood without stint?”
The ox replied:
“I don’t wish to be ungrateful, for I am loved and well cared for by men, and they often pat my head and shoulders.”
“Woe’s me!” said the flea; “this very patting which you like, whenever it happens to me, brings with it my inevitable destruction.”
❖ In politics one whines over rising above principles.
133.The Flea and the Man
A MAN, very much annoyed with a flea, caught him at last, and said, “Who are you who dare to feed on my limbs, and to cost me so much trouble in catching you?”
The flea replied, “My dear sir, pray spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot possibly do you much harm.”
The man, laughing, replied, “Now you shall certainly die by my own hands, for no evil, whether it be small or large, ought to be tolerated.”
❖ Traditional ways of approaching things (and flies) should lead to the best solutions.
❖ Energetic resolves depend on ensuing activity.
