The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-05-15
THE Ass AND THE LION.
Translated From the Portuguese Of Antoine Leandros
"OM Time Tales"
By WILLIAM S. BIRCE, M. D.

i uhu not Jeaueu Dy my own ODseTVa-
ton. ! am satisfied that you ought TO
be king Of the mountain"
Going further on, they came to
wide and swift-fowing river
"Brancalion, my friend" said the
lion. IF you are willing, we will again
try our strength and dexterity In
swimming this river"
II am willing" said Brancalion, "but
/ want to see you swim across before
/ do"
The lion, who was q good swimmer,
crossed the river In less than no time.
Standing on the opposite shore, he
called out:
"Brancalion, what are you doing over
there? Why don't you swim over?
Courage! Courage! am waiting for
you"
The poor ass threw himself into the
water and swan 10 the middle OF the
river. where overcome by the force Of
the current and the waves, his head
went under and he soon sank entirely
out OF sight. The lion knew not what
to do, fearing on the one hand that the
ass would drown. and on the other,
that II he helped him, he might again
be angry. and kill him. He finally de-
clded to help him. and plunged into the
stream and caught him by the tail.
which he pulled so long and vigorous
ly that he succeeded In getting him to
the bank.
The ass, finding himself on land. safe
from the terrible waves. put himself
into passion as before and abused the
lion.
Traitor! Wretch" he exclaimed,
"you are my evil spirit. deprivlng me
Of all that / enjoy. All me! When
shall again have such enjoyment
The lion tried Ito excuse himself,
saying:
"Comrade. my dear friend, was
afraid you would drown In the river
That Is why drew you out. thought
I was doing you favor instead OF
displeasing you"
Keep silence, | pray you" said the
ass. But tell me, II you can. what
profit or pleasure you had In swimming
the river"
None" answered the lion.
See II l had none" returned the ass.
shaking the water from his long ears
and body. Then seeing little fish
fall at his feet, he exclaimed: "Do
you see now, you great blockhead,
what you have done? II l had only
been allowed to go TO the bottom Of the
river. should at my ease and pleasure
have taken n multitude Of those fishes
| warn you now not to interfere with
me any more, IL you do not wish to
make me your enemy. which would
not he well for YOU, / assure you.
Whenever you think me dead or In
danger of death, wish you to leave
me alone: for what seems to you death
is life and happiness To me-"
The shades OF night were now gath
ering, and the lion and ass sought n
place of reposc. The next morning
they We're awake at the first dawn of
light. and agreed TO go hunting. the
lion in one direction. the ass in another,
and to meet again at a certain hour
and place, when the one who had cap
tured the most game, was to be king
OF the mountain.
The lion went into the deepest part
OF the forest. where he felled and ate
much prey; the ass went to n farm
where he saw the barn door open. and
a great pile of oats on the barn floor.
He entered without leave, and ate so
much oats that he was ready 10 burst.
He then repaired 10 the place where
he was to meet the lion and lay down.
A raven flying by and seeing him lying
motlonless. thought he was dead. and
lighting on him. picked of the grains
of oats that were still sticking 60 his
lips. Nexed with the raven. the ass
struck II such blow with one of its
hoofs that Il fell dead beside him.
When the lion returned from his
chase. he said to Brancalion:
Hear what | have taken and tell
me IL am not good huutcry'
Then he told what game he had
taken.
And how did you take IT." said
Brancallon.
The lion told him all he had done,
his arts, his ambushes and his races.
The ass interrupted him:
20 fool. brainless creature that you
| are! From morning until now you
have not ceased to run. and hustle. and
| brush through the thickets, and chase
over the mountains TO take what little
you took. And |. lying here and taking
my pleasure. have caught and eaten
so much that | am just ready 10 burst.
| rs you may easily see. And 20 prove
TO you that am not telling idle stories
have kept this fat bird as n morsel
| for you. which for the love OF me,
beg you will accept"
The lion thanked the ass for the bird
and then went away. resolved never
again 10 present himself before the
ass. While on his way he met wolf
running at great speed. The lion
stopped him with the inquiry:
Where are you going so fast. com.
rade wolfg"
| ION important business. i must be
at certain place this very hour. SO
don't trouble me-" replied the wolf.
But the lion. believing that the wolf
was rushing into danger. begged him
] to 20 no farther.