Some time afterward, he saw his Son one day passing by, and called out to him. “For the love of God, my Son,” he said in a supplicating tone, “send me out of all that I have gained with the sweat of my brow a simple pair of sheets.” The Son promised his unfortunate father to do so. “I will send them at once,” he answered him. When he arrived at home he said to his own son: “Take this pair of sheets, and carry them to your grandfather at the hospital.” The young man left one of the sheets at home and carried the other to his grandfather. Some time afterward his father happened to count his sheets. “Why didn’t you do as I told you, and carry the two sheets to your grandfather?” he asked of his son. “When my father becomes old and goes to the hospital, I said to myself, I shall need this sheet to send to him.” Your child will behave toward you as you behaved toward your parents. THE BIRD-CATCHER AND THE BLACKBIRD A Bird-catcher was setting his snares; a Blackbird, as he flew by, caught sight of him. “For the love of God,” he said to him, “do tell me what you are building there?” “I am founding a complete city.” The Blackbird believed this deceitful answer, and alighted on the net. Scarcely had he touched it, before he found himself caught. When the Bird-catcher came up the Blackbird said to him: “If this is the way you build your city, you won’t attract many inhabitants.” All men shun tyrannical magistrates and oppressors, who, by their violence, scatter ruin around them. THE HENS AND THE EAGLES The Hens were at war with the Eagles. When the day of battle came near, the Hens went and asked the foxes to help them. “We would willingly help you,” replied the foxes, “if we could forget what you are, and what Eagles are.” He who enters upon a quarrel with one more powerful than himself runs a great risk, and is certain to meet with disaster. THE PIGEON AND THE PAINTING A Pigeon in its simplicity took for real water the stream represented in a Painting. He flew down toward it with a sudden swoop, fell to the ground, and was quickly caught. How many stupid and ignorant people ignore the real condition of things, follow entirely their own silly notions, and at last find themselves in serious trouble! THE LION AND THE MAN A Lion and a Man were journeying together as friends; they took turns in boasting each of his own merits. As they advanced on their way, they saw a mausoleum on which was carved in marble a man trampling a lion under his feet. The Man called the attention of the Lion to this sculpture. “I need say no more,” he remarked, “this is sufficient to show that man surpasses the Lion in strength and vigor.” “The chisel is in the hands of men,” replied the beast, “so they represent in sculpture whatever they like. If we could handle it as you do, you would see what would be the subjects of our works.”