Ass tries in vain to play lyre — Mythoi

Motif

Ass tries in vain to play lyre.

The wise and the foolish. · Wise and unwise conduct. · Prudence and Discretion. · Prudence in ambition. · view the constellation · filed as J512.4

Cited in the index

general *Wienert FFC LVI 45 (ET 26), 130 (ST 373).

Within the index

Filed under Animal should not try to change his nature.

Filed beside it

Crab comes ashore: killed by fox Kite tries to neigh like a horse. Loses his voice and gains nothing Camel tries in vain to dance Wolf tries in vain to be doctor. Only increases patient's suffering Crow tries to imitate partridge's walk. Only spoils his own Mouse, bird, and sausage keep house together. When they exchange duties all goes wrong Ass tries to get a cricket's voice. Asks crickets what they eat to get such a voice. They answer, "dew." He tries it and starves Lizard tries to make himself as long as snake. Kills himself Fox tries to mask as dove, but loses all thoughts of murder Camel and jackal exchange food: camel is led by his good friend to thorny fruit and thorn sticks in his throat Frog wants to be shod like a horse Jackal accidentally made king but joins other jackals in howling at night. Killed Snake wants to act as pet like parrot: killed Frogs want to collect honey like bees

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