Young people full of vigor, and capable of enduring all sorts of hardship, too often deride the feebleness of the old.
The Tortoise and the King of Animals
The quadrupeds and birds assembled one day at an entertainment given by the King of Beasts. Both those who go on foot and those who fly were there.
The Tortoise arrived late because of his slow motion, and asked pardon for his want of punctuality.
“I have such a pleasant home,” said he, “that I never leave it without regret.”
“At some future time,” cried the Lion in a rage, “you will have a house of stone which you can never leave.”
This fable is addressed to those who, instead of keeping to their own vocation, are anxious to attend the entertainments of the great.
The Fox and the Lion
A Fox who had never seen a lion in his life met one of the greatest size. In his terror and surprise, he thought that his last hour had come. At the second meeting, he was still somewhat alarmed, but less so than at first. At the third sight of the Lion, he felt no fear at all, but walked up to the Lion and began to converse with him.
By force of habit we become enabled to confront, unmoved, things the most terrible and dangerous.