A Needless Labour

　　A MAN of humble1 birth and no breading, who held a high political

　　office, was passing through a forest, when he met a Monkey.

　　"I take it you are one of my constituents," the Man said.

　　"No," replied the Monkey; "but I will support you if you can urge a

　　valid2 claim to my approval."

　　"I am a self-made man," said the other, proudly.

　　"That is nothing," the Monkey said. And going to a bigger pine, he

　　rose by his own unaided exertions3 to the top branch, where he sat,

　　all bedaubed with the pitch which that vegetable exudes4. "Now," he

　　added, "I am a self-made Monkey."