Fables of La Fontaine — Fables XCV and XCVI

THE HEN WITH THE GOLDEN EGGS.

My little story will explain An olden maxim, which expresses How Avarice, in search of gain, May lose the hoard that it possesses.

The fable tells us that a Hen Laid golden eggs, each egg a treasure;

Its owner--stupidest of men-- Was miserly beyond all measure.

He thought a mine of wealth to find Within the Hen, and so he slew it: He found a bird of common kind-- And lost a pretty fortune through it.

For money-worms, who now and then Grow poor through trying to be wealthy, I tell my fable of the Hen;

My tale is good, my moral healthy.

[Illustration: THE HEN WITH THE GOLDEN EGGS.

] FABLE XCVI.

THE ASS THAT CARRIED THE RELICS.

An Ass, with relics loaded, thought the crowd Knelt down to him, and straightway grew so proud;

He took to his own merit, without qualms, Even the incense and loud chaunted psalms, Some one, to undeceive him, wisely said-- "A foolish vanity has turned your head: They not to you, but to the idol pray;

Where glory's due, there they the honour pay."

When foolish magistrates rule o'er a town, It's not the man we bow to, but his gown.

FABLE XCVII.