Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
200. JUPITER AND A HERDSMAN (Perry 49)
A Herds-Man that had lost a Calf out of his Grounds, sent up and down
after it; and when he could get no Tidings on’t, he betook himself at
last to his Prayers according to the Custom of the World, when People
are brought to a Forc’d-Put. Great Jupiter (says he) Do but shew me the
Thief that stole my Calf, and I’ll give thee a Kid for a Sacrifice. The
Word was no sooner pass’d but the Thief appear’d; which was indeed a Lion.
This Discovery put him to his Prayers once again. I have not forgotten
my Vow, says he, but now thou hast brought me to the Thief, I’ll make
the Kid a Bull, if thou’lt but set me Quit of him again.
THE MORAL. We cannot be too Careful and Considerate what Vows and Promises
we make; for the very Granting of our Prayers turns many times to our
Utter Ruin.
 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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