THE DISPUTE FOR SENIORITY AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY.
Once upon a time, it is said, the ear, the eye, the mouth, the hand, the foot, and the belly, disputed together about seniority; and in this manner went the dispute:—
Said the Ear, "I am the eldest of all, because it is I who hear all things whatsoever."
And when the Eye heard that, he answered, "It isn't you who are the eldest, but I; for although you, ear, may even hear, if it wasn't for me, the eye, seeing, then you would see nothing of the way you ought to tread."
And when the Mouth heard that, he was angry, and said, "You fellows here are talking nonsense, and disputing as to who shall be the head; while neither of you are the eldest, but it is I myself; for although you, ear, may ear, and you, eye, even may see, if it was not for me, mouth, speaking, you would remain silent as stone or wood."
And when the Hand heard that, he was startled, and said, "Why, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves for talking such rubbish, and each of you saying, 'It is I who am eldest.' Why don't you think a little before you speak? For although you all may be here, ear, and eye, and mouth, if it wasn't for me, the hand, which takes hold and works, what could you all accomplish? So let everyone be still, for there is no one of you eldest, for I, the hand, alone am the eldest."
And when the Foot heard that, he burst out laughing, and said, "What a set of fools! just look at the shadow first before you peer into the glass. People like you, indeed, quarrelling about seniority! For what are you but maize hung up, so that although you, eye, may see, and although you, mouth, may speak, and although you, hand, may take hold, if it wasn't for me, the foot, to go and carry you, what would you be better than the bottom of the basket, to sit still without any other business than to be friends with the ashes?[1] Don't dispute any more about seniority, for none of you is worthy to be senior. For it is I, the foot, only who am senior."
And the Belly, when he heard all that, said, "How is it these fellows have a mouth that is never tired, and lips above and below, and are not torn to pieces like a rag?"
"This Ear, forsooth, making himself to be senior! The dog has
- ↑ Alluding to the ashes carried in baskets as manure for the rice-fields.
