20.The Ass in the Lion’s Skin
AN ASS once found a Lion’s skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry. He put it on and went towards his native village. All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Ass that day. In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then everyone knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgeling for the fright he had caused. And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: “Ah, I knew you by your voice.”
“FINE CLOTHES MAY DISGUISE, BUT SILLY WORDS WILL DISCLOSE A FOOL.”
19.The Ass and the Old Peasant
An old peasant was sitting in a meadow watching his ass, which was grazing close by, when all of a sudden he caught sight of armed men stealthily approaching. He jumped up in a moment, and begged the ass to fly with him as fast as he could, “Or else,” said he, “we shall both be captured by the enemy.” But the ass just looked round lazily and said, “And if so, do you think they’ll make me carry heavier loads than I have to now?” “No,” said his master. “Oh, well, then,” said the ass, “I don’t mind if they do take me, for I shan’t be any worse off.”
18.The Ass and the Lapdog
A FARMER one day came to the stables to see to his beasts of burden: among them was his favorite Ass that was always well fed and often carried his master. With the Farmer came his Lapdog, who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about as happy as could be. The Farmer felt in his pocket, gave the Lapdog some dainty food, and sat down while he gave his orders to his servants. The Lapdog jumped into his master’s lap, and lay there blinking while the Farmer stroked his ears. The Ass, seeing this, broke loose from his halter and commenced prancing about in imitation of the Lapdog. The Farmer could not hold his sides with laughter, so the Ass went up to him, and putting his feet upon the Farmer’s shoulder attempted to climb into his lap. The Farmer’s servants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and soon taught the Ass that
“CLUMSY JESTING IS NO JOKE.”
17.The Apes and the Two Travellers
TWO MEN, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were travelling together and by chance came to the land of apes. One of the apes there had raised him to be king, and he commanded them to be seized and brought before him, so that he might know what was said of him among men. At the same time he ordered that all the apes were to be seated in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, just as was the custom among men. After these preparations he made signs that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation:
“What sort of a king do I seem to be to you, strangers?”
The lying traveller replied,
“You seem to me a most mighty king.”
“And what do you think of those you see around me?”
“They appear to be worthy companions of yourself, at least fit to be ambassadors and leaders of armies.”
The ape and all his court were gratified with the lie and gave the flatterer a very handsome present. On this the truthful traveller thought to himself, “If such a great a reward is given for a lie, what will I not get in reward if I tell the truth as I am used to do?”
The ape quickly turned to him.
“And how do I and my friends around me seem to you?”
“You are a most excellent ape,” he said, “and your companions are excellent apes too.”
The king of the apes flew into a rage at hearing these truths and gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions.
❖ Lowliness of decent, simple people may be lifted up through truths well given and sorted out.
❖ In hard and trying circumstances it could work best to weigh and consider well inside oneself, while at the same time being very modest in expressing oneself.
❖ Watch your words in circumstances you don’t know so much of.
