Page 215 sur 274

A Bat, a Bramble, and a Seagull went into partnership and

determined to go on a trading voyage together. The Bat borrowed a

sum of money for his venture; the Bramble laid in a stock of

clothes of various kinds; and the Seagull took a quantity of

lead: and so they set out. By and by a great storm came on, and

their boat with all the cargo went to the bottom, but the three

travellers managed to reach land. Ever since then the Seagull

flies to and fro over the sea, and every now and then dives below

the surface, looking for the lead he's lost; while the Bat is so

afraid of meeting his creditors that he hides away by day and

only comes out at night to feed; and the Bramble catches hold of

the clothes of every one who passes by, hoping some day to

recognise and recover the lost garments.

All men are more concerned to recover what they lose than to

acquire what they lack.

THE DOG AND THE WOLF