aw but little blood, but
should you remove them, a swarm of fresh and hungry ones will come, who
will not leave a drop of blood in my body."

When we throw off rulers or dependents, who have already made the most
of us, we do but, for the most part, lay ourselves open to others, who
will make us bleed yet more freely.

The Brazier and His Dog.

A Brazier had a little Dog, which was a great favorite with his master,
and his constant companion. While he hammered away at his metals the Dog
slept; but when, on the other hand, he went to dinner, and began to eat,
the Dog woke up, and wagged his tail, as if he would ask for a share of
his meal. His master one day, pretending to be angry, and shaking his
stick at him, said: "You wretched little sluggard! what shall I do to
you? While I am hammering on the anvil, you sleep on the mat, and when I
begin to eat after my toil, you wake up and wag your tail for food. Do
you not know that labor is the source of every blessing, and that none
but those who work are entitled to eat?"

The Wild Ass and the Lion.

A Wild Ass and a Lion entered into an alliance that they might capture
the beasts of the forest with the greater ease. The Lion agreed to
assist the Wild Ass with strength, while the Wild Ass gave the Lion the
benefit of his greater speed. When they had taken as many beasts as
their necessities required, the Lion undertook to distribute the prey,
and for this purpose divided it into three shares. "I will take the
first share," he said, "because I am king; and the second share, as a
partner with you in the chase; and the third share (believe me) will be
a source of great evil to you, unless you willingly resign it to me, and
set off as fast as you can."

Might makes right.

The Father and His Two Daughters.

A man had two daughters, the one married to a gardener, and the other to
a tile-maker. After a time he went to the daughter who had married the
gardener, and inquired how she was, and how all things went with her.
She said: "All things are prospering with me, and I have only one wish,
that there may be a heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants may be
well watered." Not long after he went to the daughter who had married
the tile-maker, and likewise inquired of her how she fared; she replied:
"I want for nothing, and have only one wish, that the dry weather may
continue, and the sun shine hot and bright, so that the bricks might be
dried."