The following is an outline of one of Æsop’s fables:—
1. Donkey carrying salt—passing through stream—falls—loses load.
2. Next day loaded with salt—lies down in stream.
3. Master resolves to teach lesson—third journey load of sponge.
4. Donkey lies down—load heavier.
This outline may be filled in thus:—
A donkey laden with salt happened to fall while passing through a stream. The water melted the salt, and the donkey on getting up was delighted to find himself with nothing to carry. Next day he had to pass again, laden with salt, through the same stream. Remembering how the water had yesterday rid him of his burden, he lay down purposely, and was again rid of it. But clever as he was his master was cleverer, and resolved to teach him a lesson. On the third journey he therefore placed on the creature’s back several bags filled with sponges. The donkey lay down as before, but on getting up he found that his load, instead of being much lighter, was much heavier.
In the fable, as thus told, there are several points (printed in italics) which are not in the outline. Such little details help to make the story more real.
The Snake’s Ingratitude.
1. Cold winter’s day—snake half dead.