will listen to
him._

[Illustration]

THE ASS AND ITS SHADOW

A Traveler had hired an Ass to carry him to a distant part of the
country. The owner of the Ass went with the Traveler, walking
beside him to drive the Ass and point out the way.

The road led across a treeless plain where the Sun beat down
fiercely. So intense did the heat become, that the Traveler at
last decided to stop for a rest, and as there was no other shade
to be found, the Traveler sat down in the shadow of the Ass.

Now the heat had affected the Driver as much as it had the
Traveler, and even more, for he had been walking. Wishing also to
rest in the shade cast by the Ass, he began to quarrel with the
Traveler, saying he had hired the Ass and not the shadow it cast.

The two soon came to blows, and while they were fighting, the Ass
took to its heels.

_In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance._

THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS

One day, a long time ago, an old Miller and his Son were on their
way to market with an Ass which they hoped to sell. They drove
him very slowly, for they thought they would have a better chance
to sell him if they kept him in good condition. As they walked
along the highway some travelers laughed loudly at them.

"What foolishness," cried one, "to walk when they might as well
ride. The most stupid of the three is not the one you would
expect it to be."

The Miller did not like to be laughed at, so he told his son to
climb up and ride.

They had gone a little farther along the road, when three
merchants passed by.

"Oho, what have we here?" they cried. "Respect old age, young
man! Get down, and let the old man ride."

Though the Miller was not tired, he made the boy get down and
climbed up himself to ride, just to please the Merchants.

At the next turnstile they overtook some women carrying market
baskets loaded with vegetables and other things to sell.

"Look at the old fool," exclaimed one of them. "Perched on the
Ass, while that poor boy has to walk."

The Miller felt a bit vexed, but to be agreeable he told the Boy
to climb up behind him.

They had no sooner started out again than a loud shout went up
from another company of people on the road.

"What a crime," cried one, "to load up a poor dumb beast like
that! They look more able to carry the poor creature, than he to
carry them."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

"They must be on their way to sell th