The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-06-03
THE Ass AND THE LION.
BY WILLIAM S. BIRcE, M. D.

j wish you to know that YOU have de-
prived me OF the greatest pleasure l
ever received. You thought perhaps
that I was suffering, while / was
ravished with delight"
"what kind of dellght? asked the
lion.
1T was on purpose that I landed on
the log. my forefeet on one side and
my hind feet OH the other, that might
balance myself, and know which IS
heaviest my head or my tail"
--"You are indeed. q cunning creature"
answered the lion. II never would
have believed what do of you,, If
I had not leaned by my own observa-
tion. pam satisfied that you ought to
be king of the mountain"
Going further on, they came to
wide and swift-1owing river.
"Brancalion, my friend,' said the
lion, ''if you are willing, we will again
try our strength aud dexterity in
swimming this river"
II am willing" said Brancalion, "but
/ want to see You swim across before
l do"
The lion, who was a good swimmer,
crossed the river in less than no time.
Standing on the opposite shore, he
called out:
"Brancallon, what are you doing over
there? Why don't you swim over?
Courage! Courage! l am waiting for
you"
The poor ass threw himself into the
water and swan to 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 If he helped him, he might again
be angry, and kill him. He finally de-
cided 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! Wretchw he exclaimed,
"you are my evil spirit, depriving me
of all that I enjoy. All me! When
shall again have such enjoyment?
The lion tried Ito excuse himself,
saying:
"Comrade, my dear friend, I was
afraid you would drown in the river.
That Is why drew you out. l thought
was doing you favor instead of
displeasing you"
keep silence, pray you," said the
ass. But tell me, If you can, what
profit or pleasure you had in swimming
the rlver?"
"None," answered the lion.
"See If 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? If l had only
been allowed to 60 to the bottom Of the
river, should at my case and pleasure
have taken n multitude of those fishes
warn you now not to interfere with
me any more, If you do not wish tC
make me your enemy, which would
not be well for YOU, l assure you
Whenever you think me dead or In
| danger of death, l 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 Q
place of repose. The next morning
they We're awake at the first dawn OF
light, and agreed to go hunting, Tho
lion IN one direction, the ass in another
and TO meet again at a certain houl
and place, when the one who had cap
tured the most game, was to be klns
of the mountain.
The lion went into the deepest par
of the forest, where he felled and at'
much prey; the ass went to a faru
where he saw the barn door open, an,
great pile of oats on the barn floor
He entered without leave, and ute s,
much oats that he was ready to burst
He then repaired to the place wher
he was to meet the lion and lay down
A raven flying by and seeing him lylnl
motionless. thought he was dead, an,
lighting on him. picked off the grain
of oats that were still sticking to hi
lips. vexed with the raven, the as
struck II such n blow with one Of 1t
hoofs that 1t fell dead beside him.
i When the lion returned from hi
chase. he said TO Brancalion:
Hear what / have taken and tel
me II l am not good hunter?"
Then he told what game he ha
taken