Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse Part 10

For us he bears the sultry day, And stores up all our winter's hay.

He sows, he reaps the harvest gain; We share the toil, and share the grain."

The tumult ceased. The Colt submitted; And, like his ancestors, was bitted.

MORAL.

Since every creature is decreed To aid each other's mutual need; Submit with a contented mind To act the part by heaven a.s.signed.

FABLE LI.

THE a.s.s AND THE LITTLE DOG.

The a.s.s, observing how great a favourite a little Dog was with his master, how much caressed, and fondled, and fed with good bits at every meal, and for no other reason, as he could perceive, but skipping and frisking about, wagging his tail, and leaping up in his master's lap, was resolved to imitate the same, and see whether such behaviour would not procure him the same favours. Accordingly, the master was no sooner come home from walking about his fields and gardens, and was seated in his easy chair, than the a.s.s, who observed him, came gamboling and braying towards him, in a very awkward manner. The master could not help laughing aloud at the odd sight. But the jest soon became earnest, when he felt the rough salute of the fore-feet, as the a.s.s, raising himself upon his hinder legs, pawed against his breast with a most loving air, and would fain have jumped into his lap. The good man, terrified at this outrageous conduct, and unable to endure the weight of so heavy a beast, cried out; upon which one of his servants, running in with a good stick, and laying heartily upon the bones of the poor a.s.s, soon convinced him that everyone who desires it is not qualified to be a favourite.

MORAL.

All men have not the same gifts of pleasing. It will be well, therefore, to keep in our own place; and, in that condition of life, to do our duty. By which we shall be most likely to give satisfaction.

FABLE LII.

THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS.

Four Bulls, which had entered into a very strict friendship, kept always near one another, and fed together. The Lion often saw them, and as often wished to make one of them his prey; but though he could easily have subdued any of them singly, yet he was afraid to attack the whole when together, knowing they would have been too hard for him; and, therefore, contented himself for the present with keeping at a distance. At last, perceiving no attempt was to be made upon them as long as their combination lasted, he took occasion, by whispers and hints, to foment jealousies and raise divisions among them.

This stratagem succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew cold and reserved towards one another, which soon after ripened into a downright hatred and aversion, and, at last, ended in a total separation. The Lion had now obtained his ends; and, as impossible as it was for him to hurt them while they were united, he found no difficulty, now they were parted, to seize and devour every Bull of them, one after another.

MORAL.

Union is strength. Jealousy and envy, especially when fomented by whisperers, will destroy gradually the ties that make us safe against enemies.

FABLE LIII.

THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.

The Leopard one day took it into his head to value himself upon the great variety and beauty of his spots; and, truly, he saw no reason why even the lion should take place of him, since he could not show so beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of the forests, he treated them all, without distinction, in the most haughty and disdainful manner. But the Fox, being among them, went up to him with a great deal of spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken in the value he was pleased to set upon himself, since people of judgment were not used to form their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but by considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind was stored within.

MORAL.

Haughty beauty is an ungraceful thing. True beauty is always found in a setting of modesty, and then only appears the bright jewel that it is.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.]

FABLE LIV.

THE WARRIOR WOLF.

A YOUNG Wolf said aloud To the listening crowd, "I may well of my father's great courage be proud; Wherever he came, Flock, shepherd, or dame, All trembled and fled at the sound of his name.

Did anyone spy My papa coming by-- Two hundred or more--Oh! he made them all fly!

One day, by a blow, He was conquered, I know; But no wonder at last he should yield to a foe: He yielded, poor fellow!

The conquering bellow Resounds in my ears as my poor father's knell--Oh!"

A Fox then replied, While, leering aside, He laughed at his folly and vapouring pride: "My chattering youth, Your nonsense, forsooth, Is more like a funeral sermon than truth.

Let history tell How your old father fell; And see if the narrative sounds as well.

Your folly surpa.s.ses, Of monkeys all cla.s.ses; The beasts which he frightened, or conquered, were a.s.ses, Except a few sheep, When the shepherd, asleep, The dog by his side for safety did keep.

Your father fell back, Knocked down by a whack From the very first bull that he dared to attack.

Away he'd have scoured, But soon overpowered, He lived like a thief, and he died like a coward."

FABLE LV.

THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS.

In former days, when the Belly and the other parts of the body enjoyed the faculty of speech, and had separate views and designs of their own; each part, it seems, in particular, for himself, and in the name of the whole, took exception at the conduct of the Belly, and were resolved to grant him supplies no longer.

They said they thought it very hard that he should lead an idle, good-for-nothing life, spending and squandering away upon his own vile appet.i.tes all the fruits of their labour; and that, in short, they were resolved for the future to strike off his allowance, and let him shift for himself as well as he could.

The hands protested they would not lift a finger to keep him from starving; and the mouth wished he might never speak again if he took in the least bit of nourishment for him as long as he lived; and the teeth said, "May we be rotten if ever we chew a morsel for him for the future!" This solemn league and covenant was kept so long, until each of the rebel members pined away to the skin and bone, and could hold out no longer. Then they found there was no doing without the Belly, and that, as idle and insignificant as he seemed, he contributed as much to the maintenance and welfare of all the other parts as they did to his.

MORAL.

Men are dependent upon their fellow-creatures, and it is foolish to expect we can do without the help of others.

FABLE LVI.