a horse and an ass1 were travelling together, the horse

prancing along in its fine trappings, the ass carrying with

difficulty the heavy weight in its panniers. "i wish i were you,"

sighed the ass; "nothing to do and well fed, and all that fine

harness upon you." next day, however, there was a great battle,

and the horse was wounded to death in the final charge of the day.

his friend, the ass, happened to pass by shortly afterwards and

found him on the point of death. "i was wrong," said the ass:

"better humble2 security than gilded3 danger."