“I will try, like you,” he said, “but tell me, what did you do to remember the words?”

I did not quite know how to explain, but I tried my best.

“What is the fable about?” I said. “Sheep. Well, first of all, I thought of sheep; the sheep were in a field. I could see them lying down and sleeping in the field; picturing them so, I did not forget.”

“Yes, yes,” he said, “I can see them, black and white ones! in a green field.”

“What looks after the sheep usually?”

“Dogs.”

“And?…”

“A shepherd.”

“If they thought the sheep were quite safe, what did they do?”

“The dog slept while the shepherd played his flute in the distance with the other shepherds.”