The Stag at the Pool
A
stag saw his shadow reflected in the water, and greatly admired the size of his
horns, but felt angry with himself for having such weak feet. While he was thus
contemplating himself, a Lion appeared at the pool. The Stag betook himself to
flight, and kept himself with ease at a safe distance from the Lion, until he
entered a wood and became entangled with his horns. The Lion quickly came up
with him and caught him. When too late he thus reproached himself: "Woe is
me! How have I deceived myself! These feet which would have saved me I
despised, and I gloried in these antlers which have proved my destruction."
What
is most truly valuable is often underrated.
