an elephant was once appointed ruler of a forest. now it is well known that the race of elephants is endowed with great intelligence; but every family has its unworthy scion. our governor was as stout as the rest of his race are, but as foolish as the rest of his race are not. as to his character, he would not intentionally hurt a fly. well, the worthy governor becomes aware of a petition laid before him by the sheep, stating that their skins are entirely torn off their backs by the wolves.

"oh, rogues!" cries the elephant, "what a crime! who gave you leave to plunder?"

but the wolves say:

"allow us to explain, o father. did not you give us leave to take from the sheep a trifling contribution for our pelisses in winter? it is only because they are stupid sheep that they cry out. they have only a single fleece taken from each of them, but they grumble about giving even that!"

"well, well," says the elephant, "take care what you do. i will not permit any one to commit injustice. as it must be so, take a fleece from each of them. but do not take from them a single hair besides."