Fable #368

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A Miser had buried his gold in a secret place in his garden. In a twinkling the Oyster was resting in the Dog's stomach, shell and all. Then one day, after he had finished counting his money, the idea came to him that he could get all the golden eggs at once by killing the Goose and cutting it open. It was such a joyful song that his pleasure-loving heart was filled with a wish to sing as they did. At last, worn out with rage and covered with wounds that his own teeth and claws had made, the Lion gave up the fight. One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine. At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time to run away. But as for me, I would choose a single grain of barleycorn before all the jewels in the world.

Always stop to think whether your fun may not be the cause of another's unhappiness.