Stranica 176 [176]
HERE was once an ass whose master
had made him carry sacks to the mill
for many a long year, but whose
strength began at last to fail, so that
each day as it came found him less
capable of work. ‘Then his master
began to think of turning him out, but
the ass, guessing that something was in
the wind that boded him no good, ran
away, taking the road to Bremen; for there he thought he
might get an engagement as town musician. When he had
gone a little way he found a hound lying by the side of the
road panting, as if he had run a long way.
" Now, Holdfast, what are you so out of breath about?"
said the ass.
“Oh dear!” said the dog, “now I am old, I get weaker
every day, and can do no good in the hunt, so, as my master
was going to have me killed, I have made my escape; but
now, how am I to gain a living P”
‘“‘T will tell you what,” said the ass, "I am going to Bre¬
men to become town musician. You may as well go with me,
and take up music too. I can play the lute, and you can
beat the drum.”
And the dog consented, and they walked on together. It
was not long before théy came to a cat sitting in the road,
looking as dismal as three wet days.
“Now then, what is the matter with you, old shaver?”
said the ass.