a boy once thrust his hand into a pitcher which was full of figs and filberts.

he grasped as many as his fist could possibly hold, but when he tried to draw it out the narrowness of the neck prevented him.

not liking to lose any of them, but unwilling to draw out his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly bemoaned his hard fortune.

an honest fellow who stood by gave him this wise and reasonable advice:

"take only half as many, my boy, and you will easily get them."