36
Krilof and His Fables.
But the Wolves say,
"Allow us to explain, О father. Did not you give us leave to take from the Sheep a trifling contribution[1] for our pelisses in winter? It is only because they are stupid sheep that they cry out. They have only a single fleece taken from each of them, but they grumble about giving even that!"
"Well, well," says the Elephant, "take care what you do. I will not permit any one to commit injustice. As it must be so, take a fleece from each of them. But do not take from them a single hair besides."
He who has rank and power, but wants sense, however good his heart may be, is sure to do harm.
- ↑ Obrok—the tax levied on the peasant by his master.
