The fables below about the lion and the gnat and about the dog and the crocodile come from the classical Aesopic canon, while the first three fables are part of the later Aesopic tradition.
THE HERMIT AND THE BEAR.
The random zeal of inconsiderate friends is often as hurtful as the wrath of enemies; an imprudent friend often does as much mischief by his too great zeal as the worst enemy could effect by his malice.
A certain Hermit, having done a good office to a Bear, the grateful creature was so sensible of his obligation that he begged to be admitted as the guardian and companion of his solitude. The Hermit willingly accepted his offer and conducted him to his cell, where they passed their time together in an amicable manner.
One very hot day the Hermit, having laid him down to sleep, the officious Bear employed himself in driving away the flies from his patron's face. But in spite of all his care, one of the flies perpetually returned to the attack and at last settled upon the Hermit's nose.
"Now I shall have you most certainly," said the Bear, and with the best intentions imaginable gave him a violent blow on the face which very effectually indeed demolished the Fly, but at the same time most terribly bruised the face of his benefactor.
THE PASSENGER AND THE PILOT.
We are nowhere out of the reach of Providence either to punish or to protect us.
It had blown a violent storm at sea, and the whole crew of a large vessel were in imminent danger of shipwreck.
After the rolling of the waves were somewhat abated, a certain Passenger who had never been at sea before, observing the Pilot to have appeared wholly unconcerned even in their greatest danger, had the curiosity to ask him what death his father died.
"What death?" said the Pilot; "why, he perished at Sea, as my grandfather did before him."
"And are you not afraid of trusting yourself to an element that has thus proved fatal to your family?"
"Afraid? by no means. Why, we must all die; is not your father dead?"
"Yes, but he died in his bed."
"And why then are you not afraid of trusting yourself to your bed?"
"Because I am there perfectly secure."
"It may be so," replied the Pilot, "but if the hand of Providence is equally extended over all places, there is no more reason for me to be afraid of going to sea than for you to be afraid of going to bed."
THE PARTIAL JUDGE.
The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.
A Farmer came to a neighbouring Lawyer expressing great concern for an accident which he said had just happened. "One of your oxen," continued he, "has been gored by an unlucky bull of mine, and I shall be glad to know how I am to make you a reparation."
"Thou art a very honest fellow," replied the Lawyer, "and wilt not think it unreasonable that I expect one of thy oxen in return."
"It is no more than justice," quoth the Farmer, "to be sure; but what did I say? I mistake; it is your bull that has killed one of my oxen."
"Indeed," says the Lawyer; "that alters the case. I must inquire into the affair, and if--"
"And if," said the Farmer, "the business I find would have been concluded without an if had you been as ready to do justice to others as to exact it from them."
THE LION AND THE GNAT.
Little minds are so much elevated by any advantage gained over their superiors that they are often thrown off their guard against a sudden change of fortune.
"Avant, thou paltry contemptible insect," said a proud Lion one day to a Gnat that was frisking about in the air near his den.
The Gnat, enraged at this unprovoked insult, vowed revenge and immediately darted into the Lion's ear. After having sufficiently teased him in that quarter, she quitted her station and retired under his belly, and from thence made her last and most formidable attack in his nostrils where, stinging him almost to madness, the Lion at length fell down, utterly spent with rage vexation and pain.
The Gnat, having thus abundantly gratified her resentment, flew off in great exultation, but in the heedless transports of her success not sufficiently attending to her own security, she found herself unexpectedly entangled in the web of a spider who, rushing out instantly upon her, put an end to her triumph and her life.
THE DOG AND THE CROCODILE.
We can never be too carefully guarded against a connection with persons of an ill character.
As a dog was coursing on the banks of the Nile, he grew thirsty; but fearing to be seized by the monsters of that river, he would not stop to satiate his draught, but lapped as he ran.
A Crocodile, raising his head above the surface of the water, asked him why he was in such a hurry. He had often, he said, wished for his acquaintance, and should be glad to embrace the present opportunity.
You do me great honour, returned the Dog, but it is to avoid such companions as you that I am in so much haste.
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