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The Ass and the Lap-Dog.

A man had an Ass and a Maltese Lap-dog, a very great beauty. The Ass wasleft in a stable, and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as anyother Ass would. The Lap-dog was a great favorite with his master, andhe frisked and jumped about him in a manner pleasant to see. The Ass hadmuch work to do, in grinding the corn-mill, and in carrying wood fromthe forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his own hardfate, and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lap-dog,till at last one day he broke his halter, and galloped into his master'shouse, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and fawning aswell as he could. He next tried to jump about his master as he had seenthe Lap-dog do, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes uponit to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon hisback. The servants hearing the strange hubbub, and perceiving the dangerof their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to hisstable, with kicks, and clubs, and cuffs. The Ass, beaten nearly todeath, thus lamented: "I have brought it all on myself! Why could I nothave been contented to labor with my companions, and not try to live byidleness?"

From Aesop's Fables