When its head was knocked off
The Image of Mercury and the Carpenter
A VERY POOR MAN, a Carpenter by trade, had a wooden image
of Mercury, before which he made offerings day by day, and
begged the idol to make him rich, but in spite of his entreaties he
became poorer and poorer. At last, being very angry, he took his
image down from its pedestal and dashed it against the wall.
When its head was knocked off, out came a stream of gold, which
the Carpenter quickly picked up and said, “Well, I think thou art
altogether contradictory and unreasonable; for when I paid you
honor, I reaped no benefits: but now that I maltreat you I am
loaded with an abundance of riches.”
The Bull and the Goat
A BULL, escaping from a Lion, hid in a cave which some
shepherds had recently occupied. As soon as he entered, a He-
Goat left in the cave sharply attacked him with his horns. The Bull
quietly addressed him: “Butt away as much as you will. I have no
fear of you, but of the Lion. Let that monster go away and I will
soon let you know what is the respective strength of a Goat and a
Bull.”
Processing your request, Please wait....
