Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse Part 16

Obey your parents, or 'twill be your fate, To feel repentance when it comes too late.

FABLE Lx.x.xI.

MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN.

A MAN was felling a tree on the bank of a river, and by chance let his hatchet slip out of his hand, which dropped into the water, and immediately sunk to the bottom. Being, therefore, in great distress from the loss of his tool, he sat down and bemoaned himself most lamentably.

Upon this, Mercury appeared to him, and being informed of the cause of his complaint, dived to the bottom of the river, and, coming up again, showed the man a golden hatchet, demanding if that were his. He denied that it was; upon which Mercury dived a second time, and brought up a silver one. The Man refused it, alleging likewise that this was not his. He dived a third time, and fetched up the individual hatchet the man had lost; upon sight of which the poor fellow was overjoyed, and took it with all humility and thankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with the fellow's honesty, that he gave him the other two into the bargain, as a reward for his just dealing.

The man then went to his companions, and, giving them an account of what had happened, one of them went presently to the river side, and let his hatchet fall designedly into the stream. Then, sitting down upon the bank, he fell a-weeping and lamenting, as if he had been really and sorely afflicted. Mercury appeared as before, and, diving, brought him up a golden hatchet, asking if that was the one he had lost. Transported at the precious metal, he answered "Yes," and went to s.n.a.t.c.h it greedily. But the G.o.d, detesting his abominable impudence, not only refused to give him that, but would not so much as let him have his own hatchet again.

MORAL.

Honesty is the best policy; it has made many a man's fortune, being blessed by G.o.d, and highly valued by man.

FABLE Lx.x.xII.

THE WOLF AND THE KID.

The GOAT, going abroad to feed, shut up her young kid at home, charging him to bolt the door fast, and open it to n.o.body, till she herself should return. The Wolf, who lay lurking just by, heard this charge given, and soon after came and knocked at the door, counterfeiting the voice of the Goat, and desiring to be admitted. The Kid, looking out of the window and discovering the cheat, bid him go about his business; for however he might imitate a Goat's voice, yet he appeared too much like a Wolf to be trusted.

MORAL.

We cannot use too much caution in avoiding those things which those who have more experience than we have warned us against.

FABLE Lx.x.xIII.

THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE WOLF AND THE GOAT.]

An Old Man had many Sons, who were often falling out with one another. When the father had exerted his authority, and used other means in order to reconcile them, and all to no purpose, he at last had recourse to this expedient: he ordered his Sons to be called before him, and a short bundle of sticks to be brought; and then commanded them, one by one, to try if, with all their might and strength, they could any of them break it. They all tried, but to no purpose; for the sticks being closely and compactly bound up together, it was impossible for the force of man to do it.

After this the father ordered the bundle to be untied, and gave a single stick to each of his Sons, at the same time bidding him try to break it, which, when each did, with all imaginable ease, the father addressed himself to them to this effect: "O, my sons, behold the power of unity! for if you, in like manner, would but keep yourselves strictly joined in the bonds of friendship, it would not be in the power of any mortal to hurt you; but when once the ties of brotherly affection are dissolved, how soon do you fall to pieces, and become liable to be violated by every injurious hand that a.s.saults you."

MORAL.

Union is strength. Love is a powerful bond, which, when cherished, will make those who are bound together by it irresistible.

FABLE Lx.x.xIV.

THE BROOK AND THE FOUNTAIN.

A FOUNTAIN varied gambols played, Close by an humble Brook; While gently murmuring through the glade, Its peaceful course it took.

Perhaps it gave one envious gaze Upon the Fountain's height, While glittering in the morning rays Pre-eminently bright.

In all the colours of the sky, Alternately it shone: The Brook observed it with a sigh, But quietly rolled on.

The owner of the Fountain died; Neglect soon brought decay; The bursting pipes were ill-supplied; The Fountain ceased to play.

But still the Brook its peaceful course Continued to pursue; Her ample, inexhausted source, From Nature's fount she drew.

"Now," said the Brook, "I bless my fate, My showy rival gone; Contented in its native state My little stream rolls on.

And all the world has cause, indeed, To own, with grateful heart, How much great Nature's works excel The feeble works of art."

MORAL.

Humble usefulness is preferable to idle splendour.

FABLE Lx.x.xV.

THE MICE IN COUNCIL.

The Mice called a general council, and, having met, after the doors were locked, entered into a free consultation about ways and means how to render their fortunes and estates more secure from the danger of the Cat. Many things were offered, and much was debated, "pro and con," upon the matter. At last, a young Mouse, in a fine, florid speech, concluded with an expedient, and that the only one, which was to put them for the future entirely out of the power of the enemy; and this was that the Cat should wear a bell about her neck, which, upon the least motion, would give the alarm, and be a signal for them to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great applause, and it was even proposed by some that the Mouse who made it should have the thanks of the a.s.sembly; upon which an old, grave Mouse, who had sat silent all the while, stood up, and, in another speech, owned that the contrivance was admirable, and the author of it, without doubt, an ingenious Mouse, but, he said, he thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks till he should farther inform them how this bell was to be fastened about the Cat's neck, and what Mouse would undertake to do it.

MORAL.

Many things appear excellent in theory which are impossible in practice. It often requires a great deal of courage to carry out projects which a fine, florid speech may persuade the hearers are most plausible.