Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/329

PART IV

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH FABLES THE VIOLET AND THE IRIS N the early spring, some one praised the Violet for its loveliness, telling it that it was so beautiful that it looked like an Iris. Believing this, the foolish Violet at once sent an ambassador to the Iris in order to make friends with the royal purple flower, because of this fancied resemblance.

The Iris returned this answer, "You are now beautiful with blossoms, while I—my flowers are still hidden in their tight-wrapped buds. Wait until I, too, am in blossom."

A few days later the lovely Violet faded and died; and when the Iris flowered, the Violet had completely disappeared.

Be content with your own blessings. While you are envying those of others, your own may vanish.

(Fables de Mkhithar Goch, Journal Asiatique, Ser. 9, Vol. 19.)

THE SUN'S WANING GLORY

HE Sun believed, each morning when he rose, that he was a God. But at night, when he set, he had to hide himself down beneath the Earth, and then he recognized his unimportance.

Do not feel too much exalted by the glory of victory, for the time may come when your glory will wane.

(Fables de Mkhithar Goch, Journal Asiatique, Ser. 9, Vol. 19.)

267