Krilof and His Fables/The Man and His Shadow
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The Man and His Shadow.
There was a certain original who must needs desire to catch his own Shadow. He makes a step or two to wards it, but it moves away before him. He quickens his pace; it does the same. At last he takes to running; but the quicker he goes, the quicker runs the Shadow also, utterly refusing to give itself up, just as if it had been a treasure. But see! our eccentric friend suddenly turns round, and walks away from it. And presently he looks behind him; the Shadow runs after him now.
Ladies fair, I have often observedwhat do you sup pose?—no, no; I assure you I am not going to speak about you——that Fortune treats us in a similar way. One man tries with all his might to seize the goddess, and only loses his time and his trouble. Another seems, to all appearance, to be running out of her sight ; but, no : she herself takes a pleasure in pursuing him.
