A Man had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The Ass was
left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Ass
would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master,
who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home
some tidbit to eat. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding
the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He
often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness
of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped
into his master's house, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and
fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump about his master as he had
seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it
to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The
servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master,
quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs
and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus
lamented: "I have brought it all on
myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions, and
not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!"
To be satisfied with one's lot is
better than
to desire something
which one is not fitted to receive.
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