A Farmer one day came to the stables to see to his beasts of

　　burden: among them was his favourite Ass1, that was always well fed

　　and often carried his master. With the Farmer came his Lapdog,

　　who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about as happy as

　　could be. The Farmer felt in his pocket, gave the Lapdog some

　　dainty food, and sat down while he gave his orders to his

　　servants. The Lapdog jumped into his master's lap, and lay there

　　blinking while the Farmer stroked his ears. The Ass, seeing this,

　　broke loose from his halter and commenced prancing2 about in

　　imitation of the Lapdog. The Farmer could not hold his sides with

　　laughter, so the Ass went up to him, and putting his feet upon the

　　Farmer's shoulder attempted to climb into his lap. The Farmer's

　　servants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and soon taught the

　　Ass that

　　Clumsy jesting is no joke.