As he climbed the steep path up a mountain the donkey felt his load heavier than he could bear. He begged the mule to help him. “Help me, brother,” he cried, “or I shall drop.” But the mule pretended not to hear. After struggling along a little farther the poor donkey fell dead.
The master now placed the donkey’s load on the mule, giving him two loads to carry. And on top of both he piled the donkey.
“It serves me right,” said the mule to himself; “had I helped the donkey I should not now be carrying his burden.”
—Æsop
WHY THE MAGPIE’S NEST IS BADLY MADE
Once on a time, when the world was very young, the magpie was the only bird that did not know how to build a nest. She told her trouble to the other birds and they all met to teach her.
“Place that stick there,” said the blackbird. He flew over and did it for her himself.
“Oh,” said the magpie, “I knew that before.”
“Place this stick here,” said the thrush, placing it for her.