Aesop's Fables (Penguin Classics) - Aesop [27]
“How should I have expected to keep strange hair on my head,” he remarked, “when my very own won’t stay there anymore?”
CXXXVIII
The Ass and His Masters
An ass, who belonged to a gardener and had little to eat but much to do, prayed to Jupiter to release him from the gardener’s employ and provide him with another master. However, Jupiter was angry that the ass was discontent and placed him in the service of a potter. Now the ass had a greater burden to bear than before and appealed to Jupiter once more to lighten his work. So, Jupiter intervened and had him sold to a tanner. Once the ass realized what kind of work his new master did, the ass uttered a sorrowful moan: “Alas, wretch that I am! I would have been better off if I had remained content with my former masters. Not only will my new owner work me harder while living, but he won’t even spare my hide when I am dead!”
Whoever is dissatisfied in one place will seldom be happy in another.
CXXXVIX
The Farmer and the Sea
Seeing a ship full of sailors being tossed about on the waves of the sea, a farmer cried out, “Oh sea, how deceitful and merciless you are! You can look so inviting and then you destroy all who venture out upon you!”
The sea heard him and, disguising his voice as that of a woman, replied, “Why are you reproaching me, kind sir? It’s not me who has caused this storm, rather the winds. When they fall upon me, they give me no rest. But if you should sail over me when they are away, you’ll see that I’m more mild and more tractable than your own Mother Earth.”
CXL
The Hart and the Vine
A hart, who was mercilessly pursued by hunters, hid himself among the branches of a vine. When the hunters passed by without discovering him and he thought that the coast was clear, he began browsing upon the leaves that had concealed him. But one of the hunters, attracted by the rustling of the leaves, turned around, and guessing where their prey was, shot into the bush and killed him. As the hart was dying, he uttered these last words: “This is what I justly deserve for being so ungrateful and injuring the vine that protected me when I was in danger.”
CXLI
The Pig and the Sheep
A young pig, hoping to avoid the slaughterhouse, set, up quarters in a fold of sheep. One day the shepherd grabbed hold of him, and he squeaked and struggled with all his might to get away. The sheep reproached him for making such a commotion and said, “The master often grabs hold of us, and you don’t see us crying.”
“That’s true,” replied the pig, “but our situation is not the same. He catches you for your wool, while he’s after me for frying.”
CXLII
The Bull and the Goat
Once when a bull was being pursued by a lion, he fled into a cave where a wild goat was living. The goat was an ornery creature and began attacking the bull by butting him with his horns.
“If I put up with this now,” the bull said, “don’t suppose it’s because I’m afraid of you. Once the lion is out of sight, I’ll soon show you the difference between a bull and a goat.”
Never approach mean people when in distress.
CXLIII
The Old Man and Death
An old man who had traveled a long way with a huge bundle of sticks became so weary that he threw his bundle down on the ground and called upon death to deliver him from his most miserable existence. Death came straight to his side and asked him what he wanted.
“Please, good sir,” he said, “do me a favor and help me lift my burden again.”
It is one thing to call for death and another to see him coming.
CXLIV
The Dog and the Hare
After discovering a hare in some bushes, a dog pursued her for a long time, biting her with his teeth as if he would take her life and also licking her as if he were playing with, another dog. Not knowing what to make of this, the hare stopped running and said, “I wish you’d show your true colors. If you’re a friend,