Some time after, a flash of lightning struck the rock, and the tinsel lost all its brilliancy by the scorching effects of the flash.
"Where is your brilliancy now?" said the pebble.
"Oh, it is gone to the skies," said the tinsel, "for I have lent it to the lightning that came down a moment ago to borrow it of me."
"Dear me!" said the pebble; "how many fibs doth good bragging need!"
THE ASS AND THE WATCH-DOG
A watch-dog in a village was barking all night to keep thieves off from his master's house. An ass, who observed this, thought that the dog amused himself by barking. So he brayed all night. When the day dawned, the owner of the ass thought the poor animal had been suffering from some disorder. Therefore he sent for the village doctor, and laid the case before him.
The doctor examined the animal closely, and said, "Friend, you must brand this ass forthwith, else he will soon go into fits and die."
The ass said, "I assure you nothing is wrong with me; I simply amused myself last night."