P. V. Ramaswami Raju

The Mushroom and the Goose

A goose that was once cackling with great pride thought that a mushroom was gazing at it, and said, "You contemptible thing, why do you stare at me like that? You can never hope to meet me on terms of equality, can you?"

"Certainly, madam," said the mushroom, "and that very soon."

This enraged the goose more, so she said, "I would cut you up to pieces with my bill but for the people who are close by, and who are so silly as to care for you," and went strutting away. Soon after the goose and mushroom were served up in separate dishes, very near each other.

"Ah," said the mushroom, "you see we have met after all, and so closely. Those who have a common fate tn the end had better be friends."