Two men were traveling in company along the road when one of them
picked up a well-filled purse.
"How lucky I am!" he said. "I have found a purse. Judging by its
weight it must be full of gold."
"Do not say '_I_ have found a purse,'" said his companion. "Say
rather '_we_ have found a purse' and 'how lucky _we_ are.'
Travelers ought to share alike the fortunes or misfortunes of the
road."
"No, no," replied the other angrily. "_I_ found it and _I_ am
going to keep it."
Just then they heard a shout of "Stop, thief!" and looking
around, saw a mob of people armed with clubs coming down the
road.
The man who had found the purse fell into a panic.
"We are lost if they find the purse on us," he cried.
"No, no," replied the other, "You would not say 'we' before, so
now stick to your 'I'. Say '_I_ am lost.'"
_We cannot expect any one to share our misfortunes unless we are
willing to share our good fortune also._