Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
3. A COCK AND A DIAMOND (Perry 503)
As a Cock was turning up a Dung-hill, he spy’d a Diamond. Well (he says
to himself) this sparkling Foolery now to a Lapidary in my place, would
have been the making of him; but as to any Use or Purpose of mine, a Barley-Corn
had been worth forty on’t.
THE MORAL He that’s industrious in an honest Calling, shall never fail
of a Blessing. ‘Tis the part of a wise Man to prefer Things necessary
before Matters of Curiosity, Ornament, or Pleasure.
 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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