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the miller his son and the Ass one day, a ong time ago, an old miller and his son were oh their way to market with an Ass whiche they hoped to sell. Theydrove him very slowly, fot they thought they would have a better chance to sell him if they kept him in good condition. As they walkedalong the highway some travellers laughed loudly at them. (what foolishness,) cried one, (towalk when they might as well ride. th most stupid of the one you would expect it to be.) the miller did nto like to be laughed at, so he told his son climb up and ride they had gone a tittle farther along the road when three merchantspassed by. (Oho, wath have you here?) th ey cried. (Respect old age, young man! Get down, and let the old man ride). Though the miller was not tired, he made the boy get down and climbed up himselif to ride,just to please the merchante. A the next turnstile they overtook some women carrying market baskets loaded with vegetables and other things to sell. (look at the old fool,) exlaimed one of them (perched on the Ass,while that poor boy has to walk.) the miller felt a bit vexed, but to be agreeable he told the boy to climbup behimd him the had no sooner started out again then a loud shout went up from another company of people on the road.(what a crime,) cried one, (to load up a poor dumb beast like that! They look more able to carry the poor creature, than he to carry them.) (They mist be on their way tosell the poor thing's hide, said another. The miller and his son quickly scrambled later, the market place was thrown into an uproar as the tow came along carrying the donkey slung from a pole. A great crowd of people ran out to get a closer look ar the stran ge sight. The Ass did not dislike being carriend, but so many people came up to point at him and laugh and shout, that he began to kick and bray , and them just as they were grossing a bridge, the ropes that held him gave way, and down he tumbled into the river. The poor miller now set out sadly for home. By trying to please everbody, he had pleased nobody, and lost his Ass besides. If you try please all, you please none |