Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/330



THE VAIN CEREALS

HE vain Cereals were disputing among themselves as to which of them should rule over the others.

"I am the best," declared the Barley, "for I have sixty grains."

"Nay, I am the most worthy," said the Millet, "for I have a hundred grains."

The Wheat alone remained silent.

Their King, seeing the humility of the Wheat, appointed him above all the others, and second only to the King himself.

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

THE WATERMELON

MAN, entering a garden, cut off a Watermelon and was about to eat it, when the Watermelon cried out in alarm:

"What would you do, O man? Do you not know that I am an Elephant's egg? If you carry me away and keep me unbroken, I shall hatch out for you a little Elephant, that will be worth hundreds of dollars."

The foolish man, happy to have such a prize, carried it home with him and kept it carefully. But when the Watermelon only rotted, instead of hatching out a little Elephant, he threw it away in disgust. And thus the Watermelon escaped the knife.

If you fall into the hands of wicked men, pretend to be of great value, and perhaps you will be spared until you have a chance to escape.

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