LIV.
People who wear tight hats will do well to lay this fable well to
heart, and ponder upon the deep significance of its moral:
In passing over a river, upon a high bridge, a cow discovered a broad
loose plank in the flooring, sustained in place by a beam beneath the
centre.
"Now," said she, "I will stand at this end of the trap, and when
yonder sheep steps upon the opposite extreme there will be an upward
tendency in wool."
So when the meditative mutton advanced unwarily upon the treacherous
device, the cow sprang bodily upon the other end, and there was a fall
in beef.
LV.
Two snakes were debating about the proper method of attacking prey.
"The best way," said one, "is to slide cautiously up, endwise, and
seize it thus"--illustrating his method by laying hold of the other's
tail.
"Not at all," was the reply; "a better plan is to approach by a
circular side-sweep, thus"--turning upon his opponent and taking in
_his_ tail.
Although there was no disagreement as to the manner of disposing of
what was once seized, each began to practise his system upon the
other, and continued until both were swallowed.
The work begun by contention is frequently completed by habit.
[Illustration:]
LVI.
A man staggering wearily through the streets of Persepolis, under a
heavy burden, said to himself:
"I wish I knew what this thing is I have on my back; then I could make
some sort of conjecture as to what I design doing with it.
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