Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
A muleteer started on a journey with both an Ass and a Mule, both loaded. The Ass became tired and asked the Mule to assist with part of his load. The Mule ignored the Ass who became more tired and eventually died. The muleteer, not being able to carry the load, loaded the entire Mule's burden onto the Ass; who had to carry the entire burden alone.
Townsend version
A muleteer set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself: "I am treated according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well."
L'Estrange version (A Laden Asse and a Horse)
As a horse and an asse were upon the way together, the asse cryed out to his companion, to ease him, of his burden though never so little, he should fall down dead else. The horse would not; and so his fellow-servant sunk under his load. The master, upon this, had the asse flayed, and laid his whole pack, skin and all, upon the horse. Well, (says he) this judgment is befall'n me for my ill nature, in refusing to help my brother in the depth of his distress.
Moral
It is a christian, a natural, a reasonable, and a political duty, for all members of the same body to assist one another.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved