Aesop and the Impertinent Fellow

170. AESOP AND THE IMPERTINENT FELLOW. Aesop's master came home one day somewhat earlier than usual, and there happening to be no other slave in the house but Aesop, he was ordered to get supper ready as fast as he could. So away he runs to light a candle, in order to kindle his fire; and the weather being warm, and it wanting a pretty deal of night, he went up and down to several houses before he could speed; at last, however, he found what he wanted, and, being in haste, he made no scruple of returning directly over the market-place, which was his nearest way home.
But, as he went along, an impertinent fellow among the crowd caught him by the sleeve, and would fain have been arch upon him. “O rare Aesop!” says he, “what occasion for a candle, old boy? What are you going to light the sun to bed?"
"Let me alone,” says Aesop, “I am looking for a man.”
And having said this away he scuttled home as fast as he could. [more info]

Aesop's Answer to the Inquisitive Man

3.19. ÆSOP’S ANSWER TO THE INQUISITIVE MAN. When Æsop was the only servant of his master, he was ordered to prepare dinner earlier than usual. Accordingly, he went round to several houses, seeking for fire, and at last found a place at which to light his lantern. Then as he had made a rather long circuit, he shortened the way back, for he went home straight through the Forum. There a certain Busybody in the crowd said to him: “Æsop, why with a light at mid-day?”
“I’m in search of a man,” said he; and went hastily homewards.
If the inquisitive fellow reflected on this answer, he must have perceived that the sage did not deem him a man, who could so unseasonably rally him when busy. [more info]

Aesop and the Importunate Fellow

3.17. ESOP AND THE IMPORTUNATE FELLOW.
Esop (no other slave at hand)
Received himself his lord’s command
An early supper to provide.
From house to house he therefore tried
To beg the favor of a light;
At length he hit upon the right.
But as when first he sallied out
He made his tour quite round about,
On his return he took a race
Directly, cross the market-place:
When thus a talkative buffoon,
“Esop, what means this light at noon?”
He answer’d briefly, as he ran,
“Fellow, I’m looking for a man.”
Now if this jackanapes had weigh’d
The true intent of what was said,
He’d found that Esop had no sense
Of manhood in impertinence. [more info]