An idol-maker had to deliver an idol to a customer. He placed it on his donkey's back and they started on their journey. Now the idol-maker was extremely skilled at his job and this particular idol was one of the best he had ever made. Whoever saw it, stopped to bow down and pray. The donkey thought they were bowing to him. He was enormously pleased and flattered and not wishing to go away from a place where he was held in such high esteem, came to an abrupt stop. Nothing his master did would induce him to start

walking again, and finally his master lifted the idol on to own head and resumed his journey. The donkey stood where he was, head held high, and braying sonorously until he suddenly became aware that there was no one watching him. The people were now following his master and bowing to the idol. The donkey realised that his pride had clouded his judgement and feeling ashamed of himself, ran to rejoin his master.

           One day a wolf cornered a sheep. "You can't escape, " said the wolf, baring his teeth. "I know," said the sheep, softly. "Please grant me a last wish. Sing a song so that I may dance one last time.' "Certainly,' said the wolf and throwing back his head began to howl. Hearing him howl the farmer's dogs rushed to the spot and drove him away.

Moral

Don't attempt anything that is beyond your ability.

           A dog spotted a rabbit and started chasing him, but the rabbit got away. Seeing this, a goat stopped to gloat. "Too fast for you, wasn't he?" he sneered. "Why are you surprised?" said the dog. "I was chasing him for fun; he was running for his life."

Moral

Performance depends on motivation.

           A monkey climbed the roof of a house and entertained the people who had gathered below to watch it, with its antics. After it had gone, an ass who craved popularity climbed the roof and tried to perform the same tricks. In the process, it dislodged and broke several tiles. The owner of the house was furious. His servants went up, drove the ass down, and beat it black and blue.

           The cranes were eating grain from his field, so the farmer set a trap and caught several of them. Among them was a stork. “You can see I don’t belong here,” said the stork. “ I’m a law- abiding bird. Please let me go.” “ You may well be what you claim to be,” said the farmer. “ But I caught you along with these robbers, so you will have to hang with them.”