One mule carried treasure proudly; one carried grain. Robbers beset them and noticed the proud mule. They took the treasure and wounded the mule. Other OK.
Flaunt wealth and thieves will know you have wealth.
Townsend version
Two mules well-laden with packs were trudging along. One carried panniers filled with money, the other sacks weighted with grain. The Mule carrying the treasure walked with head erect, as if conscious of the value of his burden, and tossed up and down the clear-toned bells fastened to his neck. His companion followed with quiet and easy step. All of a sudden Robbers rushed upon them from their hiding-places, and in the scuffle with their owners, wounded with a sword the Mule carrying the treasure, which they greedily seized while taking no notice of the grain. The Mule which had been robbed and wounded bewailed his misfortunes. The other replied, “I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.”
JBR Collection
Two Mules were being driven along a lonely road. One was laden with Corn, and the other with Gold. The one that carried the Gold was so proud of his burden that, although it was very heavy, he would not for the world have the least bit of it taken away. He trotted along with stately step, his bells jingling as he went. By-and-by, some Robbers fell upon them. They let the Mule that carried the Corn go free ; but they seized the Gold which the other carried, and, as he kicked and struggled to prevent their robbing him, they stabbed him to the heart. In dying, he said to the other Mule, “I see, brother, it is not always well to have grand duties to perform. If, like you, I had only served a Miller, this sad state would not now be mine.”
Muli et Latrones
Ibant muli duo sarcinis onusti. Alter fiscos cum pecunia, alter saccos hordei ferebat. Ille, cum onere superbiret, celsam cervicem iactat et clarum tintinnabulum in collo gerit. Comes placido gradu sequitur. Subito latrones ex insidiis advolant et mulum, qui argentum ferebat, ferro vulnerant, homines fugant, nummosque diripiunt. Alterius muli hordeum neglectum est. Cum igitur ille spoliatus et vulneratus casum suum defleret, “Equidem,” inquit alter, “gaudeo, quod contemptus sum. Ego nihil amisi neque vulnere laesus sum.”
Perry #491
