驢子和戰馬

The Ass and the Charger

驢子看到馬的飼料精美，即使不勞動也能得到無微不至的照顧，因此非常羨慕他。同時不由地為自己的不幸命運而痛哭流涕。戰爭爆發了，全副武裝的士兵騎上了馬背，驅使他在戰場上拼殺。一次，戰馬受到襲擊，遍體鱗傷，倒地而亡。驢子得知這一切后，改變了原來的想法，開始對戰馬起了惻隱之心。

滿足于自己現在的位置。

An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and carefully provided for， while he himself had scarcely enough to eat and not even that without hard work. But when war broke out， a heavily armed soldier mounted the Horse， and riding him to the charge， rushed into the very midst of the enemy.The Horse was wounded and fell dead on the battlefield.Then the Ass， seeing all these things， changed his mind， and commiserated the Horse.

Be content with your station.

驢子、公雞和獅子

The Ass， the Cock， and the Lion

牲口棚里住著一頭驢子和一只公雞。一天，有一頭饑腸轆轆的獅子悄悄地靠近這里，想把驢子吃掉。在這危急時刻，公雞大聲啼叫起來，獅子（據說獅子非常害怕公雞的啼鳴聲）頓時嚇得趴在地上，隨后拔腿就跑。驢子以為獅子是怕了自己才逃跑的，就毫不猶豫地追趕獅子。當他們跑了很遠的時候，獅子轉過身把自以為是的驢子吃掉了。

盲目自信通常會自取滅亡。

An Ass and a Cock were in a straw-yard together when a Lion， desperate from hunger， approached the spot. He was about to spring upon the Ass， when the Cock(to the sound of whose voice the Lion， it is said， has a singular aversion)crowed loudly， and the Lion fled away as fast as he could.The Ass， observing his trepidation at the mere crowing of a Cock summoned courage to attack him， and galloped after him for that purpose.He had run no long distance， when the Lion， turning about， seized him and tore him to pieces.

False confidence often leads into danger.

驢子與蚱蜢

The Ass and the Grasshopper

一只蟬在唱歌，他那悅耳悠揚的聲音令驢子非常著迷。于是，驢子就向蟬請教：“你們究竟吃了什么，就能唱出如此動聽的歌聲？”蟬回答道：“露水。”從此之后，驢子就每天只喝露水，最終悲慘地餓死了。

如果我們執意追求非分之物，最終不僅兩手空空，而且會招攬災禍。

An Ass having heard some Grasshoppers chirping， was highly enchanted； and， desiring to possess the same charms of melody， demanded what sort of food they lived on to give them such beautiful voices. They replied， "The dew."The Ass resolved that he would live only upon dew， and in a short time died of hunger.

Even a fool is wise-when it is too late.

貪玩的驢子

The Playful Ass

一頭驢子爬到屋頂上，活蹦亂跳，踏壞了很多磚瓦。憤怒的主人出來把驢子趕下來，用木棍狠狠地把他教訓了一頓。驢子委屈地說：“為什么昨天猴子在房頂上四處亂跑，你卻開懷大笑，而今天卻這樣責打我呢？”

謹慎選擇自己學習的榜樣。

An Ass climbed up to the roof of a building， and frisking about there， broke in the tiling. The owner went up after him and quickly drove him down， beating him severely with a thick wooden cudgel.The Ass said， "Why， I saw the Monkey do this very thing yesterday， and you all laughed heartily， as if it afforded you very great amusement."

People that live by example need to look closely at the example they are following.

馱著雕像的驢子

The Ass Carrying the Image

一頭驢子馱著一尊木質的雕像走在大都市的街道上。這尊雕像將要被安放在寺廟中。路旁的行人看到雕像紛紛跪地膜拜。自以為是的驢子認為人們是在向自己表達敬意，就洋洋得意起來，不再往前走。氣憤的趕驢人，一邊拿著鞭子狠狠地抽打驢子，一邊教訓他：“你這個傻瓜，難道真的認為人們會愚蠢到向一頭驢子膜拜的地步嗎？”

依靠別人的功勞炫耀自己是不明智的舉動。

An Ass once carried through the streets of a city a famous wooden Image， to be placed in one of its Temples. As he passed along， the crowd made lowly prostration before the Image. The Ass， thinking that they bowed their heads in token of respect for himself， bristled up with pride， gave himself airs， and refused to move another step.The driver， seeing him thus stop， laid his whip lustily about his shoulders and said， "O you perverse dull-head！ It is not yet come to this， that men pay worship to an Ass."

They are not wise who give to themselves the credit due to others.

驢子、狐貍和獅子

The Ass， the Fox， and the Lion

為了各自的安全，驢子和狐貍決定和平相處。有一天，他們一起去森林里打獵，不料，還沒走多遠，就遇到了一頭獅子。狐貍見情況危急，連忙跑到獅子面前表示只要獅子保證他的安全，他就設法誘騙驢子上當。獅子答應了。于是，狐貍把驢子騙入了陷阱。獅子見驢子已經無法逃脫，就立刻把狐貍吃了，然后再悠閑地享用驢子。

千萬不要輕信你的敵人。

The Ass and the Fox， having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection， went out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far when they met a Lion.The Fox， seeing imminent danger， approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox.Then， upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured， the Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it.The Lion， seeing that the Ass was secured， immediately clutched the Fox， and attacked the Ass at his leisure.

Never trust your enemy.

野驢和獅子

The Wild Ass and the Lion

為了能夠更輕易地獲取食物，獅子和野驢結成同盟去打獵。獅子力氣大，驢子速度快，他們相輔相成。當他們獵取到足夠多的獵物后，獅子按需要把食物分成了三份。“這第一份嘛，”獅子說，“理所當然歸我所有，因為我是‘百獸之王’；第二份也應該是我的，因為全靠了我才能得到這么多食物；至于第三份，如果你不盡快離開這里的話，相信我，你會付出很大的代價。”

弱肉強食，適者生存。

A Wild Ass and a Lion entered into an alliance so that they might capture the beasts of the forest with greater ease. The Lion agreed to assist the Wild Ass with his strength， while the Wild Ass gave the Lion the benefit of his greater speed.When they had taken as many beasts as their necessities required， the Lion undertook to distribute the prey， and for this purpose divided it into three shares."I will take the first share， "he said， "because I am King： and the second share， as a partner with you in the chase： and the third share(believe me)will be a source of great evil to you， unless you willingly resign it to me， and set off as fast as you can."

Might makes right.

披著獅子皮的驢子

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

一頭驢子，偶然間找到一張獅子皮，就披上它在森林里四處閑逛，看到那些被他嚇得驚慌逃竄的無知的小動物們，驢子就哈哈大笑起來。最后，他遇到了一只狐貍，也想嚇唬他一下，但是狐貍一下子就聽出了驢子的聲音，就對他說：“請相信，如果我不是聽出了你的聲音，我真會被你嚇壞的！”

漂亮的外衣可以包裝傻瓜，但蠢話總會露出馬腳。

An Ass， having put on the Lion's skin， roamed about in the forest and amused himself by frightening all the foolish animals he met in his wanderings. At last coming upon a Fox， he tried to frighten him also， but the Fox no sooner heard the sound of his than he exclaimed， "I might possibly have been frightened myself， if I had not heard your bray."

Fine clothes may disguise， but silly words will disclose a fool.

驢子和老牧人

The Ass and the Old Shepherd

一位老牧人看著驢子在牧場里吃草。突然他聽到了敵軍喧嘩的聲音，就馬上招呼驢子和他一起逃跑，以免淪為俘虜。誰知驢子懶洋洋地說：“敵人占領這個地方以后，難道我就會負擔雙倍的東西嗎？”“不是這樣的。”老牧人說。接著驢子又說道：“既然我的負擔和原來一樣，那么給誰服務又有什么差別呢？”

在國家政權變更的時候，窮人改變的只是主人的名字。

A Shepherd， watching his Ass feeding in a meadow， was alarmed all of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to fly with him， lest they should both be captured， but the animal lazily replied， "Why should I， pray？Do you think it likely the conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers？""No， "rejoined the Shepherd."Then， "said the Ass， "as long as I carry the panniers， what matters it to me whom I serve？"

In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.

驢子和他的影子

The Ass and His Shadow

行人雇了一頭驢子去一個很遠的地方。天氣熱極了，太陽熱辣辣地照在人身上，行人決定停下來休息。他很快就發現驢子的影子是個涼快的地方。可是，驢子在地上的影子只能站一個人，因此行人和驢子的主人就因誰有權利占有驢子影子的問題而大肆爭吵起來。后來，爭吵演變為打斗。就在雙方大打出手的時候，驢子乘機掙脫韁繩逃走了。

猴子撈月一場空。

A Traveler hired an Ass to convey him to a distant place. The day being intensely hot， and the sun shining in its strength， the Traveler stopped to rest， and sought shelter from the heat under the Shadow of the Ass.As this afforded only protection for one， and as the Traveler and the owner of the Ass both claimed it， a violent dispute arose between them as to which of them had the right to the Shadow.The owner maintained that he had let the Ass only， and not his Shadow.The Traveler asserted that he had， with the hire of the Ass， hired his Shadow also.The quarrel proceeded from words to blows， and while the men fought， the Ass galloped off.

In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance.

騾子

The Mule

一頭剛剛飽餐一頓又無所事事的騾子洋洋得意地奔跑起來，還自言自語：“我的父親一定是一匹高大、勇敢的馬，作為他的兒子我遺傳了他的速度和品行。”到了第二天，干了一天活的騾子早已筋疲力盡。他悶悶不樂地說：“我想我搞錯了，我的父親很有可能是一頭驢子。”

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."

驢子和趕驢人

The Ass and His Driver

一個人趕著一頭驢子在崎嶇的山路上行進。可是沒走多遠，驢子就向懸崖的方向飛奔而去。眼看驢子就要掉下去，趕驢人急忙拉著驢子的尾巴。但是固執的驢子并不理會他，堅持要往前沖。無可奈何的趕驢人只好放手，對他說：“隨你吧，你會為自己的選擇付出代價的。”

那些頑固不化的總是堅持自己的道路。

An Ass， being driven along a high road， suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act of throwing himself over， his owner seized him by the tail， endeavoring to pull him back.When the Ass persisted in his effort， the man let him go and said， "Conquer， but conquer to your cost."

A willful beast must go his own way.

鹽商和他的驢子

The Salt Merchant and His Ass

一個小販趕著他的驢子去海邊買鹽。要跨過小溪的時候，驢子不小心邁錯了步子，摔倒在河里。由于河水溶化了一部分鹽，因此驢子感到輕松多了。發現了這一點的驢子暗自高興。又一次，他假裝跌倒，背上的負擔果然減輕了不少。小販明白了他的小計謀后決心給他一個教訓。他們再次出發去海邊，可是這次小販買的是遇水膨脹的海綿，而不是會溶化的鹽。到了小溪邊，自作聰明的驢子故技重施。結果，背上的海綿浸了水，重量是原來的兩倍，可憐的驢子只能自食苦果。

一個人不可能永遠被蒙在鼓里。

A Peddler drove his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. His road home lay across a stream into which his Ass， making a false step， fell by accident and rose up again with his load considerably lighter， as the water melted the sack.The Peddler retraced his steps and refilled his panniers with a larger quantity of salt than before.

When he came again to the stream， the Ass fell down on purpose in the same spot， and， regaining his feet with the weight of his load much diminished， brayed triumphantly as if he had obtained what he desired.

The Peddler saw through his trick and drove him for the third time to the coast， where he bought a cargo of sponges instead of salt. The Ass， again playing the fool， fell down on purpose when he reached the stream， but the sponges became swollen with water， greatly increasing his load.And thus his trick recoiled on him， for he now carried on his back a double burden.

You can fool someone only so many times.

騾子和強盜

The Mules and the Robbers

兩頭騾子馱著滿滿的貨物長途跋涉，其中一個馱著滿包的金銀珠寶，另一匹馱著滿包的谷物。馱著珠寶的騾子高傲地昂著頭，不斷晃動自己的鈴鐺，不斷發出清脆的聲音。他趾高氣揚地走在前面，似乎自己也因為身上的財物而身價百倍。而另外一頭騾子則很安靜地走在后面。突然，一群強盜從路邊隱蔽的樹林里沖出來。他們兇狠地用短刀將騾子刺倒，把財寶搶劫一空。而那馱著谷物的騾子絲毫沒有引起強盜的注意。受傷的騾子向他的同伴哭訴他的不幸。馱著谷物的騾子說：“我很慶幸強盜沒有注意到我，我的貨物沒有一點損失，我自己也沒有受傷。”

財富并不值得夸耀，反而倒是要小心那些覬覦財富的人。

Two Mules well-laden with packs were trudging along. One carried panniers filled with money， the other sacks weighted with grain.The Mule carrying the treasure walked with head erect， as if conscious of the value of his burden， and tossed up and down the clear-toned bells fastened to his neck.His companion followed with quiet and easy step.All of a sudden Robbers rushed upon them from their hiding-places， and in the scuffle with their owners， wounded with a sword the Mule carrying the treasure， which they greedily seized while taking no notice of the grain.The Mule which had been robbed and wounded bewailed his misfortunes.The other replied， "I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of， for I have lost nothing， nor am I hurt with any wound."

Flaunt wealth and thieves will know you have wealth.

驢子和騾子

The Ass and the Mule

趕牲口的人讓驢子和騾子馱上貨物出發了。在路面平坦的時候，驢子感覺很輕松。當他們走到崎嶇的山路時，驢子已經累得筋疲力盡，于是懇求騾子能夠幫他分擔一部分貨物，這樣他可以把剩余部分馱到目的地。可是，倔強的騾子根本不理會同伴的請求。結果，不堪重負的驢子從山上摔了下去。趕牲口的人沒有辦法，只好把驢子那部分貨物也放到了騾子身上，另外，把驢皮也放了上去。承受著過重負擔的騾子，嘴里嘀咕道：“我真是自作自受啊！如果我答應了驢子的請求，幫他馱一小部分的話，我現在就用不著背負雙倍的貨物了。”

一盎司的拒絕相當于一磅的殘忍。

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."

A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cruel.

驢子和買主

The Ass and His Purchaser

一個人想買一頭驢子，但又不知道驢子是否勤勞能干，于是就和賣主達成協議，等他試驗之后再決定是否購買。他把驢子帶回家后就把他和其他驢子一起喂養。這頭驢看見別的驢子都躲得遠遠的，唯獨和一頭最是好吃懶做的驢子呆在一起。

看到這些，這人就給驢子帶上籠頭還把他送回到原先的主人身邊。主人問他：“在這么短的時間內，真的可以試驗出結果嗎？”這人回答說：“我已經不需要試驗了，只要看他挑選什么樣的伙伴，就知道他是什么品行了。”

看其友知其人。

A Man wished to purchase an Ass， and agreed with its owner that he should try out the animal before he bought him. He took the Ass home and put him in the straw-yard with his other Asses， upon which the new animal left all the others and at once joined the one that was most idle and the greatest eater of them all.

Seeing this， the man put a halter on him and led him back to his owner. On being asked how， in so short a time， he could have made a trial of him， he answered， "I do not need a trial； I know that he will be just the same as the one he chose for his companion."

A man is known by the company he keeps.

驢子和主人

The Ass and His Masters

驢子的主人以賣草藥為生，每天都讓驢子做很多工作，可是只給他很少的食物。滿腹委屈的驢子就向朱庇特請求能夠給他換一個主人。朱庇特對他說：“我可以答應你的請求，但是到時候你可千萬不要后悔！”這樣，驢子的主人換成了一個磚瓦匠。不久之后，驢子就發現自己要承擔的工作比原來還要繁重。于是，他再次向朱庇特請求換一個主人。朱庇特應答他請求的同時警告他這是最后一次機會。這一次，驢子被賣給了皮革匠，淪落到了更糟糕的境地。可憐的驢子抱怨道；“我寧愿在第一個主人那里挨餓，或者繼續在磚瓦匠那里忍受沒完沒了的工作，也不想面對我現在的主人，即使我死之后還要成為他手中的制作材料。”

對一個地方不滿意，并不意味著在另一個地方一定可以找到幸福。

An Ass， belonging to an herb-seller who gave him too little food and too much work made a petition to Jupiter to be released from his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter， after warning him that he would repent his request， caused him to be sold to a tile-maker.Shortly afterwards， finding that he had heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field， he petitioned for another change of master.Jupiter， telling him that it would be the last time that he could grant his request， ordained that he be sold to a tanner.The Ass found that he had fallen into worse hands， and noting his master's occupation， said， groaning， "It would have been better for me to have been either starved by the one， or to have been overworked by the other of my former masters， than to have been bought by my present owner， who will even after I am dead tan my hide， and make me useful to him."

He that finds discontentment in one place is not likely to find happiness in another.

驢子和狼

The Ass and the Wolf

驢子在牧場里吃草，看到狼正在悄悄朝他逼近。急中生智的驢子就假裝跛腳，走路一瘸一瘸的。狼來到他面前，就假惺惺地詢問他為什么瘸著走路。驢子回答說：“我在跨過籬笆的時候，不小心腳上扎了刺！”接著，驢子就懇求狼在吃他之前先把他腳上的刺拔掉，以免也被扎傷。狼相信了驢子的說法，于是就抬起驢子的腳，認真地察看驢的蹄子。這時，驢子突然用蹄子對準狼的臉狠狠地踢去，把狼所有的牙齒都踹掉了。得不償失的狼，痛苦地呻吟：“我真是自作自受啊！我生來就是以食肉為生，為什么偏要去做醫生呢！”

做好自己力所能及的事情。

An Ass feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him， and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf， coming up， inquired the cause of his lameness.The Ass replied that passing through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn.He requested that the Wolf pull it out， lest when he ate him it should injure his throat.The Wolf consented and lifted up the foot， and was giving his whole mind to the discovery of the thorn， when the Ass， with his heels， kicked his teeth into his mouth and galloped away.The Wolf， being thus fearfully mauled， said， "I am rightly served， for why did I attempt the art of healing， when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher？"

Keep to your trade.

驢和哈巴狗

The Ass and the Lapdog

一個人喂養了一只馬耳他哈巴狗和一頭驢子。哈巴狗非常漂亮，很會討主人喜歡。主人也經常從外面帶回好吃的食物給狗食用。而驢子只能吃一些尋常的大麥。

驢子經常抱怨自己悲慘的命運，因為他總有做不完的工作，不是整天圍著磨盤轉，就是去森林里拉木材或者去農田拉糧食。他非常羨慕整天無所事事的哈巴狗。直到有一天，他弄斷了拴著他的繩索和籠頭，飛快地跑到主人的房間，盡情地跳躍，并模仿哈巴狗努力討主人的歡心，可是他笨重的身體壓壞了桌子，還把盤子打得粉碎。他還跳到主人面前表示親昵，結果踢到了主人。聞聲趕來的仆人慌忙把主人救下。勃然大怒的主人立刻把驢子狠狠地打了一頓。受傷的驢子就這樣悲慘地死去了，在奄奄一息時，他悲嘆道：“我這真是咎由自取，我為什么不能像伙伴們一樣任勞任怨地工作，而要去羨慕一事無成的哈巴狗呢？”

要看到自己的價值，而不要去羨慕對他人毫無貢獻的人。

A Man had an Ass， and a Maltese Lapdog， a very great beauty. The Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat， just as any other Ass would.The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master， who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat.

The Ass， on the contrary， had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog， till at last one day he broke his cords and halter， and galloped into his master's house， kicking up his heels without measure， and frisking and fawning as well as he could.He next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do， but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms.He then attempted to lick his master， and jumped upon his back.

The servants， hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master， quickly relieved him， and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass， as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death， thus lamented， "I have brought it all on myself！ Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions， and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog！"

To be satisfied with one's lot is better than to desire something which one is not fitted to receive.

磨坊主、他的兒子和驢子

The Miller， His Son， and Their Ass

磨坊主和他的兒子一起趕著他們家的驢子，到附近的市場上去賣。沒走多遠，他們就看到了一群婦女聚集在井邊聊天。其中有一個說：“你們快看啊，竟然還有人放著驢子不騎自己非要走路的。”磨坊主聽到之后，馬上把驢子讓兒子騎著，自己愉快地走在旁邊。就這樣他們繼續趕路，過了沒多久，又遇到了幾個在激烈爭吵的老頭，只聽其中一個說道：“啊哈，這就是我的觀點的證明啊！現在的社會哪里還有什么尊老愛老的風氣啊？你們看看，身強力壯的兒子騎在上面，卻讓年老力衰的父親在下面行走。快滾下來，你這個無可救藥的家伙！讓你的父親歇歇腳吧！”于是，兒子就把驢子讓給了老人，自己走著。他們沒走多遠，看見一群婦女和孩子迎面走來。有幾個人立刻大喊：“怎么可以這樣做啊，你這懶惰的老頭！可憐的孩子已經一點力氣也沒有了。”老實的磨坊主只好讓兒子也騎到驢子背上。

快要到達目的地了，一個市民看到他們問道：“朋友，我可以問一下這驢子是你們自己的嗎？”老人說：“是啊！”這時另外的一個人說：“天哪，這頭可憐的驢子！你們怎么可以這樣做？照我看，你們兩個人一起抬驢子走，也許要比騎驢子好得多。”老人說：“那就按照你的意見試一下。”于是，他和兒子從驢子背上下來，將驢子的腿捆起來，用一根木棍抬上驢子往前走。在經過市場出口的橋時，很多人圍過來看熱鬧，人群中不斷有人取笑他們。吵鬧聲和這種別扭的擺弄讓驢子很不舒服，它使勁掙脫了繩索和棍子，摔到河里去了。這時，老人羞愧難當，急忙從小路逃回家去了。本來是要所有人滿意，結果所有的人都不滿意，還白白損失了一頭驢子。

任何事物都不可能讓所有人都滿意。

A Miller and his son were driving their Ass to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop of women collected round a well， talking and laughing."Look there， "cried one of them， "did you ever see such fellows， to be trudging along the road on foot when they might ride？"The old man hearing this， quickly made his son mount the Ass， and continued to walk along merrily by his side.Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate."There， "said one of them， "it proves what I was a-saying.What respect is shown to old age in these days？Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk？Get down， you young scapegrace， and let the old man rest his weary limbs."Upon this the old man made his son dismount， and got up himself.In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met a company of women and children， "Why， you lazy old fellow， "cried several tongues at once， "how can you ride upon the beast， while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you？"The good-natured Miller immediately took up his son behind him.They had now almost reached the town."Pray， honest friend， "said a citizen， "is that Ass your own？""Yes， "replied the old man."O， one would not have thought so， "said the other， "by the way you load him.Why， you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you.""Anything to please you， "said the old man； "we can but try."So， alighting with his son， they tied the legs of the Ass together and with the help of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town.This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it， till the Ass， not liking the noise nor the strange handling that he was subject to， broke the cords that bound him and， tumbling off the pole， fell into the river.Upon this， the old man， vexed and ashamed， made the best of his way home again， convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased nobody， and lost his Ass in the bargain.

You can't please everyone.