A number of volunteers, who formed part of a brigade, which had just come back victorious from war, happened at this moment to pass by, loaded with rich and abundant booty, and plentifully supplied with provisions. Moved by the sight of them, the laborer set to work to sell his sheep, goats, and oxen; with the price received for these he collected horses, weapons, and ammunition, with a view of joining the army on campaign. Just on his arrival, this army was beaten by the enemy, and utterly routed; the baggage of the new-comer was seized, and he himself returned home, crippled with wounds. “I am disgusted with the military profession,” he said, “and I am going to be a business man. In spite of my slender income I shall be able to realize great profits in trade.” He accordingly sold his remaining arms and ammunition, and employed the proceeds in the purchase of goods which he put on board a ship and embarked himself as passenger. As soon as they had put to sea, a tempest fell upon the ship, which went down with the Merchant on board. He who seeks for a better position in life, finds a worse one and falls at last into misery. Do not try to learn by experience the disadvantages of each several condition. THE TWO KINGS AT WAR A King, the hero of his age, had declared war upon one of his neighbors. The enemy for want of resources, had not been able to make sufficient preparations, and did not know how to meet the emergency. He sent out a spy to meet the foe. The fellow, gazing from a distance, saw advancing a countless multitude of soldiers, armed with lances. He immediately turned and galloped back to his sovereign. “My Lord,” he said, “you are about to be attacked by an army as numerous as current coin, for I saw advancing such a crowd of lances that they hide the sun from us.” “Take this robe of honor,” said the monarch; “please God we shall fight to-day in the shadow of the enemy.” By this warlike answer, he was able to inspire his troops with a daring and courage which were invincible. He who suffers himself neither to be cast down by alarm nor dismayed by danger can surmount every obstacle. THE RIVER AND ITS SOURCE A River one day said to its Source: “How idle and good-for-nothing you are! In spite of your incessant movement you do not contain the slightest quantity of fish! In me, on the contrary, are seen more choice fishes swimming than in any other watercourse; thus I produce joy and happiness in all the plains and their inhabitants, through which I pass! You seem to me to be a corpse, from which life has completely vanished.” The Source, indignant at these insulting words, made no reply, but began to diminish the quantity of water which she furnished to the River; soon she entirely ceased to feed it. By this means the height of the flood sank gradually, until at last water failed entirely, and River and fish disappeared together.