ith
what result, is not without its value.

Jupiter, having made the world, proceeded to make animals to live in it.
The ass was the earliest created. He looked about him. He looked at
himself; and, as the habit of asses is, he asked himself what it all
meant; what it was to be an ass, where did he come from, and what he was
for? Not being able to discover, he applied to his maker. Jupiter told
him that he was made to be the slave of another animal to be called Man.
He was to carry men on his back, drag loads for them, and be their
drudge. He was to live on thistles and straw, and to be beaten
continually with sticks and ropes'-ends. The ass complained. He said
that he had done nothing to deserve so hard a fate. He had not asked to
be born, and he would rather not have been born. He inquired how long
this life, or whatever it was, had to continue. Jupiter said it had to
last thirty years. The poor ass was in consternation. If Jupiter would
reduce the thirty to ten he undertook to be patient, to be a good
servant, and to do his work patiently. Jupiter reflected and consented,
and the ass retired grateful and happy.

The dog, who had been born meanwhile, heard what had passed. He, too,
went to Jupiter with the same question. He learnt that he also was a
slave to men. In the day he was to catch their game for them, but was
not to eat it himself. At night he was to be chained by a ring and to
lie awake to guard their houses. His food was to be bones and refuse.
Like the ass he was to have had thirty years of it, but on petition they
were similarly exchanged for ten.

The monkey came next. His function, he was told, was to mimic humanity,
to be led about by a string, and grimace and dance for men's amusement.
He also remonstrated at the length of time, and obtained the same
favour.

Last came the man himself. Conscious of boundless desires and, as he
imagined, of boundless capabilities, he did not inquire what he was, or
what he was to do. Those questions had been already answered by his
vanity. He did not come to ask for anything, but to thank Jupiter for
having created so glorious a being and to ascertain for how many ages
he might expect to endure. The god replied that thirty years was the
term allotted to all personal existences.

'Only thirty years!' he exclaimed. 'Only thirty years for such
capacities as mine. Thirty years will be gone like a dream. Extend them!
oh, extend them, gracious Jupiter, that I may have