An old peasant was sitting in a meadow watching his ass, which was grazing close by. Then all of a sudden he caught sight of armed men stealthily（暗地里） approaching. He jumped up in a moment, and begged the ass to fly with him as fast as he could, "Or else," said he, "we shall both be captured by the enemy."

But the ass just looked round lazily and said, "And if so, do you think they’ll make me carry heavier loads than I have to now?" "No," said his master. "Oh well, then," said the ass, "I don't mind if they do take me, for I shan't be any worse off."