An Ass asked a Horse for a little barley. “With all my heart,” said he, “if I had more than I wanted, I would give you plenty, in accordance with my dignified position; but bye-and-bye, as soon as I shall have come to my manger in the evening, I will give you a sackful of wheat.” The Ass replied: “If you now deny me on a trifling occasion, what am I to suppose you will do on one of greater importance?”
They who, while making great promises, refuse small favours, show that they are very tenacious of giving.
[ Fable XXX.]
THE OLD LION AND THE FOX.
Worn with years, a Lion pretended illness. Many Beasts came for the purpose of visiting the sick King, whom at once he devoured. But a wary Fox stood at a distance before the den, saluting the King. On the Lion asking her why she did not come in: “Because,” said she, “I see many foot-marks of those who have gone in, but none of those who came out.”
The dangers of others are generally of advantage to the wary.
[ Fable XXXI.]
THE CAMEL AND THE FLEA.
A Flea, chancing to sit on the back of a Camel who was going along weighed down with heavy burdens, was quite delighted with himself, as he appeared to be so much higher. After they had made a long journey, they came together in the evening to the stable. The Flea immediately exclaimed, skipping lightly to the ground: “See, I have got down directly, that I may not weary you any longer, so galled as you are.” The Camel replied: “I thank you; but neither when you were on me did I find myself oppressed by your weight, nor do I feel myself at all lightened now you have dismounted.”
He who, while he is of no standing, boasts to be of a lofty one, falls under contempt when he comes to be known.
[ Fable XXXII.]
THE KID AND THE WOLF.
A She-Goat, that she might keep her young one in safety, on going forth to feed, warned her heedless Kid not to open the door, because she knew that many wild beasts were prowling about the cattle stalls. When she was gone, there came a Wolf, imitating the voice of the dam, and ordered the door to be opened for him. When the Kid heard him, looking through a chink, he said to the Wolf: “I hear a sound like my Mother’s voice, but you are a deceiver, and an enemy to me; under my Mother’s voice you are seeking to drink my blood, and stuff yourself with my flesh. Farewell.”