Chapter 32
While crossing a river, a fox was driven by the current into a narrow gorge and lay there exhausted for a long time, unable to get out. To add to his misfortune, a swarm of horseflies settled all over his body and began bothering and stinging him. A hedgehog, who came wandering in that direction, saw him and offered out of pity to drive away the flies that were tormenting him so much. However, the fox begged him to do nothing of the sort.
“Why not?” asked the hedgehog.
“Because these flies who have attached themselves to me right now are already full and draw very little blood,” he explained. “If you were to remove them, a swarm of fresh, hungry rascals would take their place, and I would not have a drop of blood left in my body.”
Better the contended bloodsuckers than the eager nibblers.
