101. Aesop's Fables - The Dog and His Reflection

Once there lived a dog in a village. The dog lived on the street and went around everyday in search of food.

One day the dog found a piece of bone. He was very happy and though of carrying it to a safe place to eat it.

On the way, the dog saw a small pond. The pond had a wooden plank as a crossway. The dog went over the plank to get to the other side of the pond. While he was crossing, he saw his reflection in the pond water. The dog was startled. He though it was another dog carrying a bone. He became greedy and thought of snatching the bone from the other dog.

So he barked. As soon as he opened his mouth, the bone fell off down in the pond. The hungry dog stood helpless. He repented his act and went away hungry.

Moral: (1) Greed is not good (2) Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Proverb: Be content with what you have.