“Maybe you will,” said the Camel; “but you see I always roll over after dinner.”
So he rolled over in the water, and the Jackal got wet—first the tip of his tail, and then all over, and was drowned.
HASHNU THE STONECUTTER
A Japanese Story
Hashnu the Stonecutter sat beside the highway cutting stone. It was hard work, and the sun shone hot upon him.
“Ah me!” said Hashnu, “if one only did not have to work all day. I would that I could sit and rest, and not have to ply this heavy mallet.
Just then there was a great commotion, and Hashnu saw a crowd of people coming up the road. When they drew nearer he noticed that one of them was the King. On his right side rode soldiers, all arrayed in armor and ready to do his bidding, while on the left rode courtiers, seeking to serve him and win his favor.
And Hashnu, watching, thought what a fine thing it would be to be a King, and to have soldiers to do his bidding, and courtiers to serve him, and he said:
“Ah me, ah me,
If Hashnu only a King could be.”