A fool and
the rogues
Once upon a time there lived in a village a fool whom even a
child could easily trick.
One day the fool was going to the market to sell his horse
and goat. He attached a bell from the collar around the goat’s neck. He tied
one end of a rope to the horse’s tail and another to the goat’s collar. He then
mounted the horse and was on his way.
Some rogues, who knew the fool, followed him. They approached
from the back and quietly untied the goat. Then tied the bell that around the
goat’s neck to the tail of the horse, and absconded with the goat. Since the
bell kept ringing, the fool believed that the goat was followed him.
Sometime later, another rogue approached the fool and
exclaimed, “Why did you tie a bell to your horse’s tail?” The fool looked back
and was shocked to see that the goat was gone!
Then the third rogue came up to the fool and said, “Friend, I
saw a man running away with a goat; it would not be yours, would it? If you
wish, I will be happy to chase after the thief on your horse, and bring your
stolen goat back.”
The fool at once got down from the horse and gave it to the
man, thanking him for offering to help to get back his goat. The rogue mounted
the horse and galloped away. The poor fellow waited for a long time in the hope
of getting back his animals, but do you think the rogue ever returned with
them?
MORAL: A fool and his fortune do not stay together for a
long time!
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