Part 23 (1/2)
Immediately they all fell upon him, the Wolf in the lead, and soon had made an end to him, sacrificing him to the G.o.ds then and there, and without the formality of an altar.
_The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful._
THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION
A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a number of them were missing.
Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The Shepherd suspected a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region among the hills, where there were caves infested by Wolves. But before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a sacrifice.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves, but just as he was pa.s.sing near a large cave on the mountain side, a huge Lion stalked out, carrying a Sheep. In great terror the Shepherd fell on his knees.
”Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find the thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a full-grown Bull, if you but make the thief go away!”
_We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have found it._
_Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they were granted._
[Ill.u.s.tration]
THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION
A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.
If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the sh.o.r.e. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.
_It is very foolish to be greedy._
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
”Do you ever get anywhere?” he asked with a mocking laugh.
”Yes,” replied the Tortoise, ”and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it.”
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.