The Satyr and the Traveler


074. THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. A Satyr, as he was ranging the forest in an exceedingly cold, snowing season, met with a traveller half-starved with the extremity of the weather. He took compassion on him, and kindly invited him home to a warm comfortable cave, he had in the hollow of a rock. As soon as they had entered and sat down, notwithstanding there was a good fire in the place, the chilly traveller could not forbear blowing his finger's ends. Upon the Satyr's asking him why he did so, he answered that he did it to warm his hands.
The honest sylvan, having seen little of the world, admired a man who was master of so valuable a quality as that of blowing heat, and therefore was resolved to entertain him in the best manner he could. He spread the table before him with dried fruits of several sorts, and produced a remnant of cold cordial wine, which, as the rigours of the season made very proper, he mulled with some warm spices, infused over the fire, and presented to his shivering guest. But this the traveller thought fit to blow likewise; and upon the satyr's demanding a reason why he blowed again, he replied to cool his dish.
This second answer provoked the satyr's indignation as much as the first had kindled his surprise; so taking the man by the shoulder, he thrust him out of doors, saying he would have nothing to do with a wretch who had so vile a quality as to blow hot and cold with the same mouth. [more info]

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