[Illustration: THE WANTON CALF.]
A Calf, full of play and wantonness, seeing the Ox at plough, could not
forbear insulting him. 'What a sorry poor drudge art thou,' says he, 'to
bear that heavy yoke upon your neck, and go all day drawing a plough at
your tail, to turn up the ground for your master! but you are a wretched
dull slave, and know no better, or else you would not do it. See what a
happy life I lead: I go just where I please; sometimes I lie down under
the cool shade; sometimes frisk about in the open sunshine; and, when I
please, slake my thirst in the clear sweet brook; but you, if you were
to perish, have not so much as a little dirty water to refresh you.' The
Ox, not at all moved with what he said, went quietly and calmly on with
his work; and, in the evening, was unyoked and turned loose. Soon after
which he saw the Calf taken out of the field, and delivered into the
hands of a priest, who immediately led him to the altar, and prepared to
sacrifice him. His head was hung round with fillets of flowers, and the
fatal knife was just going to be applied to his throat, when the Ox drew
near, and whispered him to this purpose--'Behold the end of your
insolence and arrogance; it was for this only you were suffered to live
at all; and pray now, friend, whose condition is best, yours or mine?'