Page:Gems of Arabic Literature.djvu/15



This is an example of one who does not take warning from the counsels of others, but rushes (blindly) into trouble and ruins himself.

A story is told of a troop of monkeys that lived on a mountain and searched for fire one cold, windy, and rainy night, but could find none. They then saw a fire-fly darting about like a spark, and, thinking that it was fire, they collected a large quantity of fuel, placed it on the fire-fly, and began blowing on it, hoping to kindle a fire whereby to warm themselves. Now, close to them, on a tree, was a bird watching. The bird, who had seen what had been done, called out to them, saying, "Do not trouble yourselves, for what you have seen is not fire." After having remonstrated with them for some time, it resolved to approach the monkeys, and dissuade them from what they were doing. Just then a man passed by, and, knowing the bird's intention, said to it, "Do not attempt the impossible, for verily, swords are not tried on hard, unyielding stone ; nor is a bow made from a piece of wood that cannot be bent; so do not worry yourself." However, the bird refused to listen to him, but went and told the monkeys that the fire-fly was not fire, when, suddenly, one of them seized the bird and dashed it down on the ground, where it died.