5. The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller
A CHARCOAL-BURNER carried on his trade in his own house.
One day he met a friend, a Fuller, and entreated him to come and live with him, saying that they should be far better neighbors and that their housekeeping expenses would be lessened.
The Fuller replied, "The arrangement is impossible as far as I am concerned, for whatever I should whiten, you would immediately blacken again with your charcoal."
Like will draw like.
6. The Father and His Sons
A FATHER had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves.
When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks.
When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces.
They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it.
He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon which they broke them easily.
He then addressed them in these words:
"My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks."
今天先整理这些，期待斑竹给予回复，我就更努力的整理。手头资料格式比较零乱。 |
