It is related that a Fox was once prowling over a moor, and was roaming
in every direction in hope of scenting food. Presently he came to the
foot of a tree, at the side of which they had suspended a drum, and
whenever a gust of wind came, a branch of the tree was put in motion,
and struck the surface of the drum, when a terrible noise arose from it.
The Fox, seeing a domestic fowl under the tree, who was pecking the
ground with her beak, and searching for food, planted himself in
ambush, and wished to make her his prey, when all of a sudden the sound
of a drum reached his ear. He looked and saw a very fat form, and a
prodigious sound from it reached his hearing. The appetite of the Fox
was excited, and he thought to himself, "Assuredly its flesh and skin
will be proportioned to its voice."
He issued from his lurking-place and turned toward the tree. The fowl
being put on its guard by that circumstance, fled, and the Fox, by a
hundred exertions, ascended the tree. Much did he labour till he had
torn the drum, and then he found nought save a skin and a piece of
wood. The fire of regret descended into his heart, and the water of
contrition began to run from his eyes, and he said: "Alas! that by
reason of this huge bulk which is all wind, that lawful prey has
escaped from my hand, and from this empty form no advantage has
resulted to me."
Loudly ever sounds the labour,
But in vain--within is nought:
Art thou wise, for substance labour,
Semblance will avail thee nought.