Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
146. A BAT, BRAMBLE, AND CORMORANT (Perry
171)
A Bat, a Bramble, and a Cormorant, enter'd into Covenants with Articles,
to join Stocks, and Trade in Partnership together. The Bat's Adventure
was ready Money that he took up at Interest; the Bramble's was in Clothes;
and the Cormorant's in Brass. They put to Sea, and so it fell out, that
Ship and Goods were both lost by stress of Weather: But the three Merchants
by Providence got safe to Land. Since the time of this Miscarriage, the
Bat never stirs abroad till Night, for fear of his Creditors. The Bramble
lays hold of all the Cloaths he can come at in hope to light upon his
own again: And the Cormorant is still sauntering by the Sea side, to see
if he can find any of his Brass cast up.
THE MORAL. The Impression of any notable Misfortune will commonly stick
by a Man as long as he lives.
 L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a
very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir
Roger L'Estrange. Aesop
- Fables which is available at amazon.com.
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