THE DOGS AND THEIR COMMANDER
During the war of the dogs and the wolves, the dog-assembly chose an Achaean
to be their commander. Although he was an expert in the art of war, the commander
waited and delayed. With fierce threats, the dogs urged him to advance and to
engage in battle but the commander explained, 'Here is the reason why I delay
and act with caution! One must always make plans with an eye to the future.
All of the enemy whom I have seen are wolves, members of the same breed, whereas
some of us are dogs from Crete, some are Molossian hounds, some are Acarnanians,
others are Dolopians, while others boast of being from Cyprus or Thrace. Still
others come from other places -- what need is there to go on at length? We are
not even the same colour, as the wolves are: some of us are black, some are
grey, some are red with white-spotted chests, and some of us are white all over.
How can I lead troops who are so lacking in unity to fight against an enemy
who all resemble each other in every possible way?' |