The Shepherd and the Sea

A shepherd who was grazing a flock by the sea, seeing the calm of the waves, took it into his head to sail off to trade. Accordingly he sold his sheep, bought dates, and set sail. But a violent storm arose, and, the vessel risking foundering, he threw his whole cargo into the sea, and saved himself with great difficulty with his empty vessel. A good while later, a man happened to pass. As he was admiring the calm of the sea, which was indeed peaceful at that moment, our shepherd, speaking up, said to him, "Ah, my good fellow, it has a fancy for dates again, it seems: that is why it shows itself so peaceful."