IV.
An old man carrying, for no obvious reason, a sheaf of sticks, met another donkey whose cargo consisted merely of a bundle of stones.
"Suppose we swop," said the donkey.
"Very good, sir," assented the old man; "lay your load upon my shoulders, and take off my parcel, putting it upon your own back."
The donkey complied, so far as concerned his own encumbrance, but neglected to remove that of the other.
"How clever!" said the merry old gentleman, "I knew you would do that. If you had done any differently there would have been no point to the fable."
And laying down both burdens by the roadside, he trudged away as merry as anything.
V.
An elephant meeting a mouse, reproached him for not taking a proper interest in growth.
"It is all very well," retorted the mouse, "for people who haven't the capacity for anything better. Let them grow if they like; but I prefer toasted cheese."