The Ass That Found No End of His Labours
In Winter time, an Ass was grieved at the coldness of the Season, and that he was forced to live only on Straw, often wishing for Spring, that the weather might be more temperate, and he so happy to feed on fresh Grass.
The Spring came, but he was then employed to fetch in Earth for making Bricks and Tiles. This made him cry out, O ye Gods! would the Summer were here, that my Master being busie at his Harvest, I might have time to get a little Rest.
When it was Summer, they made the poor Beast constantly Work in carrying Corn into the Barns; which Labour was no sooner ended, but the Autumn was come, and he constrained to bring home the Wines and Fruits; This made him renew his Grief. Alas! cry'd he, It would be better for me, were it Winter again, for then my Master could not Work by reason of the Severity of the Weather, and I might hope for some respit from all this Drudgery.
This Paints out the Miserable Lives of many poor Men; the Pinching Wants they sustain, and continued Labours and Hardships they are forced to undergo, during all the Seasons of the year.
The Wolf and the Porcupine
A Good inclination had a hungry Wolf to set upon a Porcupine, but durst not for fear of his Quills; he therefore cunningly told him, he wondred he should trouble himself with all that load of Darts at his back in times of Peace; advising him, rather to imitate the Good Soldier, who only carries Arms when he goes to the Battel.
We should always, answered the Porcupine, be prepared for fighting when we see a Wolf.
A Wise man ought ever to be on his Guard when his Enemy is present.
The Mice and the Cat
The Mice seeing from their Peep-hole, a Cat sit in a Room, with a grave Countenance, and Eyes fixed on the ground, said amongst themselves, surely this Creature cannot be so fierce as she is reported; for that modest look plainly shews her to be of a sweet and harmless Temper, and that she should rather be enclined to Devotion than Cruelty; what ill Character soever we may conceive of her.
I'll sally out, said one of them, and discourse her, to try if I cannot on your behalves, contract with her a league of Friendship.
To which noble Adventure they all encouraging him; he boldly went out, but as he was advancing towards the Cat, she turning that way espy'd him, and leaping on him, quickly devour'd him.
When the rest of the Mice beheld the sad Catastrophe of their Ambassador, they in an affright withdrew, and durst no more venture out of their Sanctuary.
Men are not to be judged by their Looks, but by their Actions; for many times ravenous Wolves are concealed under Sheeps cloathing.
The Apes and the Bird
Many Apes in a Cold Night, were got together under a Tree, where one of them happening to espy a Glow-worm that shines in the dark, cryed out that he had found Fire, and shewed it to his Companions; who also thinking it a Fire-Coal, gathered small sticks of Wood, and piling them upon it, blew and fanned it, expecting to have made it burn.
This, a little Bird observing as she sat upon an opposite Tree, called out to tell them their mistake; but they not regarding her, kept to their business.
The Bird supposing they heard her not, flew down on the ground, and coming nearer, advised them not to lose their time so foolishly.
Whilest she was thus earnestly employ'd, one of the wisest of the Apes, who stood by laughing at the sport, calling to the Bird, bad her not strive to take up Water in a Sieve, and kindly cautioned her to beware, that while she gave good advice to others, she neglected not her own Safety.
But the officious Bird was so intent to make them understand her Admonitions, that she minded not another of the Gang, who leaping on her, kill'd and eat her.
'Tis impossible to inculcate good Precepts into heedless Fools.
The Fox and the Wolf
Near a Wells brink as a Wolf was passing, he heard a voice calling out for help, and when he looked down, he saw a Fox, who by msifortune had faln into that Well, where he was almost drowned.
The Fox entreated him to fetch with all the speed he could, a Rope to pull him up: Which the Wolf promised to do, but staid to ask the manner, How he fell in?
Afterwards, answered the Fox, will be time enough to tell that: First help me out of this Danger, and then I can give you the whole Relation at leisure.
When a Man is in any great Exigency, or Hazard of Life, we ought not to spend time in frivolous Questions, nor stay to upbraid him with imprudence or neglect, but give him the speediest assistance we can.
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