happen in this present instance to be all in the right, and have only considered
the subject under different circumstances, but, pray, for the future allow others to
have eyesight as well as yourselves; nor wonder if every one prefers to accept
the testimony of his own senses."
The Eagle, the Jackdaw, and the Magpie
The kingly Eagle kept his court with all the formalities of sovereign state, and
was duly attended by all his plumed subjects in their highest feathers.
These solemn assemblies, however, were frequently disturbed by the impertinent
conduct of two, who assumed the importance of high-fliers; these were no other
than the Jackdaw and the Magpie, who were forever contending for precedence
which neither of them would give up to the other.
The contest ran so high that at length they mutually agreed to appeal to the
sovereign Eagle for his decision in this momentous affair.
The Eagle gravely answered that he did not wish to make an invidious
distinction by deciding to the advantage of either party, but would give them a
rule by which they might determine between themselves; "for," added he, "the
greater fool of the two shall in future always take precedence, but which of you
it may be, yourselves must settle."
The Boy and the Filberts
A Boy once thrust his hand into a pitcher which was full of figs and filberts.
He grasped as many as his fist could possibly hold, but when he tried to draw it
out the narrowness of the neck prevented him.
Not liking to lose any of them, but unwilling to draw out his hand, he burst into
tears and bitterly bemoaned his hard fortune.
An honest fellow who stood by gave him this wise and reasonable advice:
"Take only half as many, my boy, and you will easily get them."