The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-01
Old Fables Revised.

THE WOLF. THE LAMB AND MR.,
ASSOC.
Esop had just written the fable of
the Wolf and the Lamb. No doubt you
recall It. The Wolf, about to eat the
Lamb, strives to justify his contem-
plated action with many false accusa-
tons. The Lamb defends HERSELF from
these charges and proves the Wolf a
liar; but the Wolf eats her, anyhow.
The whole thing is a terrible ar
raignment of Wolves and their afro
ciously carnivorous tastes.
As Esop finished II and read Il
aloud to himself, with a great deal of
satisfaction, a Wolf (they are always
hanging about near the doors Of writ
ers) stepped into the room and, sc.
marking that he had heard the fable,
protested against its publication.
IF any other creature than a Man
had written it," said the Wolf, 81
would not mind so much"
II don't get your point OF view,"
said Esop.
at is your hypocrisy that revolts
me-" said the Wolf you condemn
me for lying to the Lamb, in the first
instance, and eating her in the sec
ond. The Implication is that Man is
superior in ethics to the Wolf. This I
deny. The Wolf is superior. The
Wolf is far more considerable. He
takes the trouble to give hts action
some color of justice. He lies, / ad-
NIT. But he shows by the lie that
he knows that such a thing as Justice
exists; he pays his respects to it.
But Man does not even bother to
make such pretensions."
STILL 1 do not get .you," said
why" said the Wolf, what did you
have for lunch?"
Lamb chops and peas" said
Esop.
Exactly" said the Wolf. "And did
you or the butcher who killed her
concern yourself tn explaining to
the Lamb why she v rs to die, as does
the courteous Wolf in the fable you
have written? You did not! You
merely slaughtered her and ate her.
The Wolf, in his recognition of the
principles Of justice, and his willing
ness to allow the Lamb Of possible)
to believe a moral purpose exists in
the universe, up to the very end of
her life. shows himself as a far su-
perior character to you, Mr.. Esop"
But I am a Man." said HSsop. cit
is necessary that men eat, or the hu-
man race will perish"
81 am a Wolf" said Lupus. at is
necessary that Wolves eat, or they
will perish"
"Why should they not perish?"
asked HGsop. "They are of no use.
They only propagate, feed and die"
what more does Man do?" asked
the Wolf.
Man has a SOUL" said 1Esop, draw
ing himself up proudly.
81 am glad that have none, then"
said the Wolf. For IL must be Mans
soul which makes him different from
Wolves. and morally inferior Con
slider his inferiority once more-the
Wolf is so constituted that he can eat
nothing but. flesh; but what he eat,
he eats politely. Man could get along
very well on vegetables; but never
theless he preys upon animals, and
does ii with arrogance, as IL their
flesh were his due. The Wolf. NV
dear Mr.. Esop, is the nobler animal:
he kills because he must. while Man
Stays from choice"
There is something in what you say"
murmured the Philosopher. thoughtfully.
But you have forgotten that Man Is
tender-hearted too. seldom kill a sheen
without weeping"
Nor l." said the Wolf and 1 have
noticed that the sheep also are quite
sentimental about themselves. They al
ways bleat plaintively when am killing
them"
Poor silly things" said Esop. and
dropped "A tear.
ITO speak truly" said the Wolf, 1T is
not your taste for mutton that object
to. Mr.. H;sop; it is. as ! said before,
your human hypocrisy about the matter.
There are. hope. sheep enough in the
world for both OF US. And If the supply
should fafl''-
WELL" asked Esop. What them"
Then. of course" said the Wolf,
"either Men or Wolves would have to
CO."
THE Wolves would have to CO." said
Hsop.
mot So" said the Wolf. 81 have just
proved to you that the Wolf is the more
noble creature Of the two. Besides, the
Wolf can eat the Man, and enjoy him,
palatable TO Man. For these two reasons
it is quite obvious. Mr.. AIsop. that Man
should submit himself to be eaten by the
Wolf. 1t is the only sensible arrange
ment."
HEM" said AIsop. reflectively.
And" said the Wolf, crouching for a
spring, 81 think shall begin on you"
, But Aesop. who was a true philosopher,
lad been conversing with a logical res
ervation: that Is TO say. one hand was
behind his back. and In 1t he held an
axe. He Drained the Wolf.
you were a much nobler heart than
l." said Mr.. Esop, looking pensively at
the carcass. and you might be alive
now IL you hadn't proved it."
GOLDEN TENT:
l Why go about insisting on your spir-
tusl superiority to people who can lick
tsS2 DON XAR6UIS