A farmer one day came to the stables to see to his beasts ofburden: among them was his favourite ass1, that was always well fedand often carried his master. With the farmer came his lapdog,who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about as happy ascould be. The farmer felt in his pocket, gave the lapdog somedainty food, and sat down while he gave his orders to hisservants. The lapdog jumped into his master's lap, and lay thereblinking while the farmer stroked his ears. The ass, seeing this,broke loose from his halter and commenced prancing2 about inimitation of the lapdog. The farmer could not hold his sides withlaughter, so the ass went up to him, and putting his feet upon thefarmer's shoulder attempted to climb into his lap. The farmer'sservants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and soon taught theass that 
Clumsy jesting is no joke. 