Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-06-18


So the lion, fearing he would die if
left to hang there upon the log, de-
sceneded into the ditch and drew him
out.
The ass, finding himself out of dan
ger, turned to the lion and heaDed upon
him all the abuse in his power. The
lion, astonished at this ungrateful con-
duct, asked why he thus upbraided him
when he had so kindly saved his life
The ass, pretending to be angry, re-
piled with inSolence:
'You vile and malicious creature.
Do you ask me why I upbraid you?
[ wish you to know that you have de-
prived me Of the greatest pleasure I
ever received. You thought perhaps
that I was suffering, while 1 was
ravished with delight
''What kind of delight?'' asked the
lion.
''It was on purpose that I landed on
the log, my forefeet on one side and
my hind feet on the other, that might
balance myself, and know which is
heaviest, my head or my TAIL"
answered the lion. L never would
have believed what I do of you, if
had not leaned by my own observa-
ton. I am satisfied that you ought to
| be king of the mountain"
Going further on, they came to a
wide and swift-fOwing river.
| "Brancalion,s my friend" said the
lion, eff you are willing, we will again
try our strength and dexterity in
swimming this river"
Il am willing" said Brancalion, "but
I want to see you swim across before
I do
The lion, who was a good swimmer,
| Standing on the opposite shore, he
! called out:
'Brancalion, what are you doing over
there? Why don't you swim over:
Courage! Courage! I 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 OH 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 tt
the bank
J The ass, finding himself on land, safe
! from the terrible waves, put himself
; into passion as before and abused tn,
, lion.
''Traitor! Wretchv' he exclaimed
''you are my evil spirit, depriving nj
Of all that I enjoy. All me! Whe1
shall again have such enjoyment?''
The lion tried Ito excuse himself
saying:
"Comrade, my dear friend, I wa
e afraid you would drown in the river
That is why drew you out. I though
: I was doing you a favor instead 0
q displeasing YOU"
keep silence, I pray you," said tn
l ass. But tell me, if you can, wha
e profit or pleasure you had in swimmin
the river?''
"None," answered the lion
e 'See if had none,' returned the as:
y shaking the water from his long ear
Il and body. Then seeing a little fis
fall at his feet, he exclaimed: I'D
1t you see now, you great blockheat
II what you have done? If I had onl
e, been allowed to so to the bottom Of Ii
n river, should al my ease and plea asul
u have taken 4 multitude of those fishe
8 l warn you now not to interfere wit
me any more if you do not wish |
n, make NE your enemy, which woul
III not be we'll for you, I assure yo1
le Whenever you think me dead or
of danger Of death, I wish you to leaS
he me alone: for what seems to you deaf
le is life and happiness to me.'
The shades of night We're now gat
u erlng, and the lion and ass sought
place of repose. The next morni1
|