Artists do not base their creations upon the realities of life, but follow the ideas which pass through their heads. THE COMPLIMENT TO THE VEZIR A Vezir had just received his appointment; those who had supported him came to compliment him on his promotion to a post of honor. He was so inflated by the homage he received, that he came at last to pass by his former friends without noticing them. “Who are you?” he asked one of them. “My God,” exclaimed the other, who was a wit: “I feel sorry for you indeed, for your Excellency, like most of those who have reached an eminent position, has suddenly lost sight, hearing, and memory, so that you no longer know your former friends.” It generally happens that those who attain to high station feel contempt for their friends. THE ASS AND THE FROGS An Ass was walking along loaded with wood; as he journeyed he fell into a pond, and lamented because he could not get out. The Frogs, dwellers in the pond, heard his cries and came up to him. “Pray tell us,” they said to him, “how is it that you, who have been but a moment in this pond, cry out so vehemently. What would you do, if like us, you had been here for an infinite time?” Such were the sarcastic consolations they addressed to him. Young people full of vigor, and capable of enduring all sorts of hardship, too often deride the feebleness of the old. THE TORTOISE AND THE KING OF ANIMALS The quadrupeds and birds assembled one day at an entertainment given by the King of Beasts. Both those who go on foot and those who fly were there. The Tortoise arrived late because of his slow motion, and asked pardon for his want of punctuality. “I have such a pleasant home,” said he, “that I never leave it without regret.” “At some future time,” cried the Lion in a rage, “you will have a house of stone which you can never leave.” This fable is addressed to those who, instead of keeping to their own vocation, are anxious to attend the entertainments of the great. THE FOX AND THE LION A Fox who had never seen a lion in his life met one of the greatest size. In his terror and surprise, he thought that his last hour had come. At the second meeting, he was still somewhat alarmed, but less so than at first. At the third sight of the Lion, he felt no fear at all, but walked up to the Lion and began to converse with him. By force of habit we become enabled to confront, unmoved, things the most terrible and dangerous. THE FARMER AND HIS HOUNDS A Farmer who lived remote from the city, was kept at home by the severity of the winter. Soon, his provisions were exhausted, and finally, he was compelled to kill his great black oxen. On seeing this, his Hounds gathered together. “If this man,” said they, “butchers such strong oxen as these, the mainstay of his house, do you think he will spare us? Let us make our escape!”