92
The Penitent Thief


 A BOY who had been taught by his Mother to steal grew to be a man
and was a professional public official.  One day he was taken in
the act and condemned to die.  While going to the place of
execution he passed his Mother and said to her:

 "Behold your work!  If you had not taught me to steal, I should not
have come to this."

 "Indeed!" said the Mother.  "And who, pray, taught you to be
detected?"


93
The Serpent and the File


 A Serpent in the course of its wanderings came into an
armourer's shop.  As he glided over the floor he felt his skin
pricked by a file lying there.  In a rage he turned round upon it
and tried to dart his fangs into it; but he could do no harm to
heavy iron and had soon to give over his wrath.


       It is useless attacking the insensible.
94

The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar


 AN OLD WOMAN found an empty jar which had lately been full of
prime old wine and which still retained the fragrant smell of its
former contents.  She greedily placed it several times to her
nose, and drawing it backwards and forwards said, "O most
delicious! How nice must the Wine itself have been, when it
leaves behind in the very vessel which contained it so sweet a
perfume!"  


       The memory of a good deed lives.

95

The Monkeys and Their Mother


 THE MONKEY, it is said, has two young ones at each birth.  The
Mother fondles one and nurtures it with the greatest affection
and care, but hates and neglects the other.  It happened once
that the young one which was caressed and loved was smothered by
the too great affection of the Mother, while the despised one was
nurtured and reared in spite of the neglect to which it was
exposed.  


       The best intentions will not always ensure success.

96

The Hart in the Ox-Stall


 A Hart hotly pursued by the hounds fled for refuge into an
ox-stall, and buried itself in a truss of hay, leaving nothing to
be seen but the tips of his horns.  Soon after the Hunters came up
and asked if any one had seen the Hart.  The stable boys, who had
been resting after their dinner, looked round, but could see
nothing, and the Hunters went away.  Shortly afterwards the master
came in, and looking round, saw that something unusual had taken
place.  He pointed to the truss of hay and said: "What are those
two curious things sticking out of the hay?"  And when the stable
boys came to look they discovered the Hart, and soon made an end
of him.  He thus learnt that
      

       Nothing escapes the master's eye.
97

The Boy and the Nettles


 A BOY was stung by a Nettle.  He ran home and told his Mother,
saying, "Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it
gently."  "That was just why it stung you," said his Mother.  "The
next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be
soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you."  


       Whatever you do, do with all your might.