A Farmer one day came to the
stables to see to his beasts of
burden: among them was his
favourite Ass, that was always well fed
and often carried his
master. With the Farmer came his Lapdog,
who danced about and licked his
hand and frisked about as happy as
could be. The Farmer felt in
his pocket, gave the Lapdog some
dainty food, and sat down while he
gave his orders to his
servants. The Lapdog jumped
into his master's lap, and lay there
blinking while the Farmer stroked
his ears. The Ass, seeing this,
broke loose from his halter and
commenced prancing about in
imitation of the Lapdog. The
Farmer could not hold his sides with
laughter, so the Ass went up to
him, and putting his feet upon the
Farmer's shoulder attempted to
climb into his lap. The Farmer's
servants rushed up with sticks and
pitchforks and soon taught the
Ass that
.Clumsy jesting is no joke.
