104.The Donkey in the Lion’s Skin
A DONKEY who had put on the skin of a lion, roamed about in the forest and amused himself by frightening all the animals he met. At last he came on a fox and tried to frighten him too.
But the fox had heard his voice before, and exclaimed,
“I could have been scared if I had not heard your bray.”
❖ Kings and nobility learnt how to get impressive by clothes and hermine and stuff, whereas the much simple-minded donkey failed along such a vein.
❖ The strong personality holds together with others that appear to complement his own nature.
❖ Don’t put on airs if you can do without it.
103.The Donkey Carrying the Image
A DONKEY once carried a famous wooden image through the streets of a city. The image was to be placed in a temple. As he passed along, the crowd bowed low before the image. The donkey thought that they bowed their heads in token of respect for him, and bristled up with pride. He started to bray and refused to move another step.
The driver guessed what he went through and gave him a whip about his shoulders, saying, “You stupid bonehead! Men have not yet started to adore a donkey.”
❖ Wise ones refuse to take the credit due to others.
❖ The superior man is inexhaustible in his will to teach.
❖ The swift approach may confer a good deal more influence that a belated one.
❖ But, really, isn’t a living being of taller value than carved and painted wood? Who were the ones to blame, really?
102.The Donkey and the Wolf
A DONKEY grazing in a small meadow saw a wolf creep up on him, and at once pretended to be lame. The wolf, coming nearer, asked why he was limping. The donkey said that he had passed through a hedge where he had trod with his foot on a sharp thorn. He advised that the wolf pull it out, so that it would not harm his throat when he ate him. The wolf agreed and lifted up the foot, and concentrated on the hoof. Then the donkey kicked his teeth into his mouth and galloped away. Fearfully mauled, the wolf said,
“I deserved what I got. Why did I attempt the art of healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?”
❖ Enthusiasm of the heart expresses itself in more than galloping away.
❖ Be firm as a rock if it helps you to keep alive.
❖ Those who undertake things which are outside their natural abilities and expertise, may be in for troubles.
101.The Fox and the Stork
At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So the Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and for a joke put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end of her long bill in it, and left the meal as hungry as when she began. “I am sorry, said the Fox, “the soup is not to your liking.”
“Pray do not apologise,” said the Stork. “I hope you will return this visit, and come and dine with me soon.” So a day was appointed when the Fox should visit the Stork; but when they were seated at table all that was for their dinner was contained in a very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his snout, so all he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar.
“I will not apologise for the dinner,” said the Stork:
“ONE BAD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER.”
