The fox was greatly afraid, and fled and fleeing happened upon a wolf. The fox said she had discovered a very strange beast[1], and did not know its name. The wolf said: let us go and see it. And they came to it. To the wolf it appeared very strange. The fox asked it its name. The mule replied: to tell the truth I cannot remember very well, but if you can read, you will find it written on my back right hoof. The fox replied: never mind, I cannot read, much as I should like to. The wolf then took up: leave it to me, for I can read very well indeed. The mule then showed his right hoof, the cleaving whereof seemed like letters. The wolf said: I cannot see them very well. The mule answered: come a little closer, for the letters are very small. The wolf came nearer and looked closely. The mule then gave him a kick which killed him.
The fox went off saying: not everyone who can read is wise[2]. [[201]]
[1] lit.: “a very new beast.” [↑]
[2] The novella appears elsewhere, as in the Proverbi of Cinto de’ Fabrizi. [↑]
XCV
Here it is told of a countryman who went to the town
A peasant from the country came to Florence to buy a doublet. He asked at a shop where the proprietor was. He was not there. But a youth in the shop said: I am the master; what is it you want? I want a doublet. The youth found him one. Try it on, he said. They argued over the price. The countryman had only a quarter of the money. The apprentice, pretending to help him with the doublet, sewed the man’s shirt to it and then said: take it off. And the other removed it, remaining naked.
The other apprentices were ready with sticks and they chased and beat the man all through the city.