a diligent ass, already loaded beyond his strength by a severe master whom he had long served, and who kept him on very short commons, happened one day in his old age to be oppressed with a more than ordinary burden of earthenware. his strength being much impaired, and the road steep and uneven, he unfortunately made a misstep, and, unable to recover himself, fell down and broke all the vessels to pieces. his master, transported with rage, began to beat him most unmercifully, against whom the poor ass, lifting up his head as he lay on the ground, thus strongly remonstrated:

"unfeeling wretch! to thine own avaricious cruelty in first pinching me on food, and then loading me beyond my strength, thou owest the misfortune which thou so unjustly imputest to me."