“What does it matter?” she said, “so long as hereafter I shall feel no more hunger, and for the present have eaten and drunk my fill, and have received a good bath.”
Patiently to accept the misfortunes which can neither be hindered nor avoided is a proof of wisdom.
The Widow and Her Friend
A Widow, tired of single blessedness, was desirous of marrying again, but feared to draw down upon herself the remarks of the public.
A Friend of hers, to show her how the tongues of neighbors discussed everything, took in hand to paint the Widow’s ass green; then leading the beast, she traversed all the streets of the town.
At first not only the children, but also their elders, who had never seen anything like it before, came to see the sight, and followed behind the ass.
At the end of a few days, when the Widow’s ass went forth people simply remarked: “What a very singular animal!”
Soon, however, the people ceased to pay any more attention to the spectacle.
The Friend of the Widow who wished to marry again returned to her and said:
“You have seen what has just happened. It will be the same in your case. For some days you will be on the tongues of the people and have to endure the gossip and remarks; but at last they will leave off talking about you.”