A KITE, sick unto death, said to his mother: "O Mother! do not
mourn, but at once invoke1 the gods that my life may be
prolonged." She replied, "Alas2! my son, which of the gods do you
think will pity you? Is there one whom you have not outraged3 by
filching from their very altars a part of the sacrifice offered
up to them?'
We must make friends in prosperity if we would have
their help in adversity.
