第48页 / 共274页

At that the servants, seeing the danger their master was in,

belaboured the silly Ass with sticks and cudgels, and drove him

back to his stable half dead with his beating. "Alas!" he cried,

"all this I have brought on myself. Why could I not be satisfied

with my natural and honourable position, without wishing to

imitate the ridiculous antics of that useless little Lap-dog?"

THE FIR-TREE AND THE BRAMBLE

A Fir-tree was boasting to a Bramble, and said, somewhat

contemptuously, "You poor creature, you are of no use whatever.

Now, look at me: I am useful for all sorts of things,

particularly when men build houses; they can't do without me

then." But the Bramble replied, "Ah, that's all very well: but

you wait till they come with axes and saws to cut you down, and

then you'll wish you were a Bramble and not a Fir."

Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many

obligations.

THE FROGS' COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SUN