Aesop

                                                            Aesop on the Auction Block at Ephesus

                         "Aesop was standing between an orator and a singer .  A prospective buyer was the Lydian philosopher, Xantus .  Xantus asked the orator what he could do--- 'Anything' was his answer .   He asked the same question of the singer--- 'Everything' came the reply.   Finally Xantus got around to Aesop and asked him what he could do --- 'Nothing' said Aesop .  'Nothing' repeated Xantus disbelievingly .   'One of my companions',  said Aesop, 'says he can do anything and the other says he can do everything, that leaves me with nothing' .

                           "Xantus liked Aesop's answer and asked, ' If I buy you will you promise to be good and honest ?'  'I'll be that whether you buy me or not', said Aesop .  'Will you promise not to run away?'  'Did you ever hear of a bird in a cage tell his master he intended to escape ?'

                                                    Quoted by Dick Gregory in his NO MORE LIES .

                                                           Tare Forward and Keep the Faith 

*** Just so you know Aesop is pronounced   E  sow  as in the porcine sow .