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A Boasting Mule

Townsend version

A mule, frolicsome from lack of work and from too much corn, galloped about in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself: "My father surely was a high-mettled racer, and I am his own child in speed and spirit." On the next day, being driven a long journey, and feeling very wearied, he exclaimed in a disconsolate tone: "I must have made a mistake; my father, after all, could have been only an ass."

L'Estrange version

There was a favourite-mule, that was high fed, and in the pride of flesh and mettle, would still be bragging of his family, and his ancestors. My father (says he) was a coarser, and though I say it that should not say't, I my self take after him. He had no sooner spoke the words, but he was put to the tryal of his heels, and did not only shew himself a jade; but in the very heat of his ostentation, his father fell a braying, which minded him of his original, and the whole field made sport on't, when they found him to be the son of an asse.

Moral

A bragging fool that's raised out of a dunghill, and sets up for a man of quality, is asham'd of nothing in this world but of his own father.

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