Fables of La Fontaine — Fables III and IV

THE FROG THAT WISHED TO MAKE HERSELF AS BIG AS THE OX.

A Frog, no bigger than a pullet's egg, A fat Ox feeding in a meadow spied.

The envious little creature blew and swelled;

In vain to reach the big bull's bulk she tried.

"Sister, now look!

observe me close!"

she cried.

"Is this enough?"

--"No!"

"Tell me!

now then see!"

"No, no!"

"Well, now I'm quite as big as he?"

"You're scarcely bigger than you were at first!"

One more tremendous puff--she grew so large--she burst.

The whole world swarms with people not more wise: The tradesman's villa with the palace vies.

Ambassadors your poorest Princelings send, And every Count has pages without end.

[Illustration: THE TWO MULES.

] FABLE IV.

THE TWO MULES.

Two Mules were journeying--one charged with oats, The other with a tax's golden fruit.

This last betrayed that manner which denotes Excessive vanity in man or brute.

Proudly self-conscious of his precious load, He paced, and loud his harness-bells resounded;

When suddenly upon their lonely road, Both Mules and masters were by thieves surrounded.

The money-bearer soon was put to death: "Is this the end that crowns my high career?

Yon drudge," he murmured with his latest breath, "Escapes unhurt, while I must perish here!"

"My friend," his fellow-traveller made reply, "Wealth cannot always at the poor man scoff.

If you had been content to do as I, You'd not at present be so badly off."