Pagina 220 di 274

A Fisherman who could play the flute went down one day to the

sea-shore with his nets and his flute; and, taking his stand on a

projecting rock, began to play a tune, thinking that the music

would bring the fish jumping out of the sea. He went on playing

for some time, but not a fish appeared: so at last he threw down

his flute and cast his net into the sea, and made a great haul of

fish. When they were landed and he saw them leaping about on the

shore, he cried, "You rascals! you wouldn't dance when I piped:

but now I've stopped, you can do nothing else!"

THE WEASEL AND THE MAN