Two pots had been left on the bank of a river, one of brass1,and one of earthenware2. When the tide rose they both floated offdown the stream. Now the earthenware pot tried its best to keepaloof from the brass one, which cried out: "Fear nothing, friend,I will not strike you." "But I may come in contact with you," Said the other, "If icome too close; and whether I hit you, or you hit me, I shallsuffer for it." 
The strong and the weak cannot keep company. 