128.The Fox and the Grapes
A HUNGRY FOX tried to reach some clusters of grapes which he saw hanging from a vine that was trained on a tree. She wearied herself in vain, for the grapes hung too high up, and she could not reach them. At last she turned away, saying:
“I guess they were unripe anyhow.”
❖ Some men too, when they fail by falling short, blame circumstances or others undeservedly.
127.The Fisher and the Little Fish
It happened that a fisher, after fishing all day, caught only a little fish. “Pray, let me go, master,” said the fish. “I am much too small for you to eat just now. If you put me back into the river I shall soon grow. Then you can make a fine meal off me.”
“No, no, my little fish,” said the fisher. “I have you now. I may not catch you hereafter.”
A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect.
126.The Fir-Tree and the Bramble
A FIR-TREE said boastingly to the bramble, “You are useful for nothing at all; while I am everywhere used for roofs and houses.”
The bramble answered: “You poor creature, if you would only call to mind the axes and saws which is about to hew you down, you would have reason to wish that you had grown up a bramble, not a fir-tree.”
❖ Better to have poverty without care, than with riches.
125.The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle
TWO GAME COCKS were fiercely fighting for the mastery of the farmyard. One at last put the other to flight. The vanquished cock skulked away and hid himself in a quiet corner, while the conqueror, flying up to a high wall, flapped his wings and crowed exultingly with all his might. An eagle sailing through the air pounced on him and carried him off in his talons. The vanquished cock at once came out of his corner, and ruled henceforth with undisputed mastery.
❖ Pride goes before destruction.
❖ Observe to make good use of real opportunities.
