Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CXVII
Fab. CXVII.
A Smith and his Dog.
A Blacksmith took Notice of a Cur he had, that would be perpetually Sleeping, so long as his Master was at his Hammer; but whenever he went to Dinner, the Dog would be sure to make One. So he Ask'd the Dog the Reason on’t. What's the Meaning of it, says he, that so long as I'm at the Forge, you are still taking your Nap; but so soon as my Chops begin to Walk, yours must be Walking too for Company? There’s a time to Sleep (says the Dog) and a Time to Wake; and Every thing is Well done that is done in Due Season.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
That which Men do by Reason, Beasts do by Inftinct. There's No Living without Food and Rest; and Nature appoints the Season, both for the One, and for the Other. A Dog Wakes to his Dinner, as a Man that's to Travel next day, does for his Journy, and his Bus'ness. He lyes down to Sleep with the Hour in's Head, and when the Time comes, he needs neither Clock nor Cock to call him. Custom puts Nature into a Method of Expecting, and Attending all the Offices of Lite at such and such Certain Hours and Seasons, as we are us'd to: And there needed no more then This, to make the Master’s Dining Time, the Dog's Waking Time.