Aesop's Fables: Townsend (1867)
50. The Ass and the Mule (Perry 181)
A MULETEER set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule,
both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along the plain, carried
his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the steep path of the
mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear. He entreated his
companion to relieve him of a small portion, that he might carry home
the rest; but the Mule paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly
afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do
in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried
by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all placed the hide
of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, groaning beneath his heavy
burden, said to himself: 'I am treated according to my deserts. If I had
only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need, I should not
now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well.'
George Fyler Townsend's translation of the fables, first published in 1867, is
in the public domain and can be found at many websites, including Project
Gutenberg.
Illustrations come from: Aesop's Fables, by George Fyler Townsend, with
illustrations by Harrison Weir, 1867, at Google
Books. |