A Country dog was pleased to meet
A Wolf, his wild relation,
And held a chat on this and that
In friendly conversation.
“Your life is hard,” the dog declared.
“You often miss your dinner.
So come with me and you will see
A regular meat-winner.
“Within my master’s house you’ll find
Are bones and steaks in plenty.
With helpful men you’ll make your den
And eat enough for twenty.”
The wolf, beside the dog, set out,
But paused in apprehension.
He chanced to note on the other’s throat
A stripe of wide dimension.
“That,” said the dog, “is but the mark
Made when my master chained me.” —
“But that, be sure, I’d not endure,
However famine pained me.” —
So growled the wolf; and dashed away
Swift as an uncaged sparrow.
Better be lean and free
Than chained and feast on marrow.
Aesop’s Fables in Latin: Ancient Wit and Wisdom from the Animal Kingdom (English and Latin Edition)
