Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
A wounded Wolf lay recovering in his lair. Needing food, he called to a passing Sheep: "Please get me some water so I can find the means to obtain some meat."
"I don't think so," said the Sheep, "if I bring you water it is clear I will become the meat."
Townsend version
A Wolf, sorely wounded and bitten by dogs, lay sick and maimed in his lair. Being in want of food, he called to a Sheep who was passing, and asked him to fetch some water from a stream flowing close beside him. "For," he said, "if you will bring me drink, I will find means to provide myself with meat." "Yes," said the Sheep, "if I should bring you the draught, you would doubtless make me provide the meat also."
Moral
Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.
L'Estrange version
A wolfe that lay licking of his wounds, and extremely faint, and ill, upon the biting of a dog, call'd out to a sheep that was passing by, Heark ye friend (says he) if thou wouldst but help me to a soup of water out of that same brook there, I could make a shift to get my self somewhat to eat. Yes, says the sheep, I make no doubt on't. But when I bring ye drink, my carcase shall serve ye for meat to't.
Moral
It is a charitable and a Christian office to relieve the poor and the distressed; but this duty does not extend to sturdy beggars, that while they are receiving alms with one hand, are ready to beat out a man's brains with the other.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved