After the flames had been put down the City Man and the Clown went into the burned building to see what remained. The Clown turned over the embers of the chest of drawers. The City Man asked what he was seeking for. The Clown said, “It is in this chest that I hid the bright sunling; I wish to know if he has survived the flames.”
“Alas,” said the City Man, who now found out the cause of all the mischief, “never jest with fools!”
THE MUSHROOM AND THE GOOSE
A Goose that was once cackling with great pride thought that a Mushroom was gazing at it, and said, “You contemptible thing, why do you stare at me like that? You can never hope to meet me on terms of equality, can you?”
“Certainly, madam,” said the Mushroom “and that very soon.”
This enraged the Goose more, so she said, “I would cut you up in pieces with my bill but for the people who are close by, and who are so silly as to care for you,” and went strutting away. Soon after the Goose and Mushroom were served up in separate dishes, very near each other.
“Ah,” said the Mushroom, “you see we have met after all, and so closely.” Those who have a common fate in the end had better be friends.