Aesop's Fables

the Ass and_the Lapdog

a farmer one day came to_the stables to_see to_his beasts of burden: among them was his favourite Ass, that was always well fed and often carried his master . with_the farmer came his Lapdog, who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about as happy as could_be . the farmer felt in_his pocket, gave the Lapdog some dainty food, and sat down while he_gave his orders to_his servants . the Lapdog jumped into his master's lap, and lay there blinking while the farmer stroked his ears . the Ass, seeing this, broke loose from_his halter and commenced prancing about in imitation of_the Lapdog . the farmer could_not hold his sides with laughter, so the Ass went up_to him, and putting his feet upon_the farmer's shoulder attempted to climb into his lap . the farmer's servants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and soon taught the Ass that clumsy jesting is no joke .