One day the flea put this question to the ox: "What has man done to you, that you serve him every day, and that too, big and brave as you are? I, on the contrary, tear his flesh without mercy and drink his blood by the mouthful." The ox replied, "I am grateful to the human race; for they love me and cherish me, and often rub my forehead and shoulders." "Alas!" retorted the flea, "for me that rubbing which pleases you is the worst of misfortunes, when I happen by chance to be caught between their hands."
Even the humblest person can expose an empty boaster.
Nº 18The Ugly Slave and AphroditeAn ugly, ill-natured slave was loved by her master. With the money he gave her she decked herself in glittering finery and set herself up as a rival…Read the fable →
Nº 59The Man and the Lion Travelling TogetherA lion was once travelling with a man. They were vying with each other in boasting, when on the road they came upon a stone slab showing a man…Read the fable →
Nº 128The MuleA mule that had grown fat on barley began to prance about, saying to herself, "My father is a horse swift in the race, and I take after him in every…Read the fable →