A Man of Athens fell into debt and was pressed for the money by his creditor; but he had no means of paying at the time, so he begged for delay.But the creditor refused and said he must pay at once.Then the Debtor fetched a Sow—the only one he had—and took her to market to offer her for sale.It happened that his creditor was there too.Presently a buyer came along and asked if the Sow produced good litters."Yes," said the Debtor, "very fine ones; and the remarkable thing is that she produces females at the Mysteries and males at the Panathenea."(Festivals these were: and the Athenians always sacrifice a sow at one, and a boar at the other; while at the Dionysia they sacrifice a kid.)At that the creditor, who was standing by, put in, "Don't be surprised, sir; why, still better, at the Dionysia this Sow has kids!"
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THE DEBTOR AND HIS SOW
A Man of Athens fell into debt and was pressed for the money by his creditor; but he had no means of paying at the time, so he begged for delay.But the creditor refused and said he must pay at once.Then the Debtor fetched a Sow—the only one he had—and took her to market to offer her for sale.It happened that his creditor was there too.Presently a buyer came along and asked if the Sow produced good litters."Yes," said the Debtor, "very fine ones; and the remarkable thing is that she produces females at the Mysteries and males at the Panathenea."(Festivals these were: and the Athenians always sacrifice a sow at one, and a boar at the other; while at the Dionysia they sacrifice a kid.)At that the creditor, who was standing by, put in, "Don't be surprised, sir; why, still better, at the Dionysia this Sow has kids!"
