840. Pastor et Rex. Pastor beatus magnum ovium gregem regebat, cuius cum prudentiam cognovisset, rex hunc regni administrum fecit. Ille laudes domini simul populique tulit, at livor malignus principes impulit ut insusurrarent pastorem furtis ditari et pecuniam publicam corradere; arcam visam fuisse in eius cubiculi, clausam sedulo; illic scilicet opes raptas recondi. Rex arcam recludi iubet. Ille “Magne rex,” inquit, “crede innocenti; ultra ne inquire.” Sed cum nihil proficeret, ipse arcam recludit simulque proferens singula: cucullum scilicet pastorium, sagumque rusticum, et panarium et pedum et fistulam. “Thesaurus en,” inquit, “meus. Hunc olim amare solitus, hoc uno frui deinde volo; forsan malevoli invidere desinent.” Rex gemit et “Amice,” ait, “ne me amicum miserum desere.” At ille durus fugit, et ad oves suas redit.
Image Source:
Gustave Dore.
M0840 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 9.5 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Desbillons is retelling La Fontaine 10.10, who knew the story from Bidpai. Compare the fable of the city mouse and the country mouse, #196, or the story of the rich man and his neighbor, #997.
