The Dog And His Reflection

by Aesop

　　A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying homewith his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrowfootbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected inthe quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought hesaw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.

　　If he had stopped to think he would have known better. Butinstead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog inthe river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reachthe shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stoodsadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized whata stupid Dog he had been.

　　It is very foolish to be greedy.