The Farmer and Fortune

078. THE FARMER AND FORTUNE. A Farmer was ploughing one day on his farm when he turned up a pot of golden coins with his plough. He was overjoyed at his discovery, and from that time forth made an offering daily at the shrine of the Goddess of the Earth. Fortune was displeased at this, and came to him and said, "My man, why do you give Earth the credit for the gift which I bestowed upon you? You never thought of thanking me for your good luck; but should you be unlucky enough to lose what you have gained I know very well that I, Fortune, should then come in for all the blame."Show gratitude where gratitude is due. (V. S. Vernon-Jones) [more info]

The Ploughman and Fortune

185. THE PLOUGHMAN AND FORTUNE. The ploughman, as he was ploughing the ground, found a treasure. Transported with joy, he immediately began to return thanks to the ground, which had been so liberal and kind to him. Fortune observed what he did, and could not forbear discovering her resentment of it. She instantly appeared to him, and, “You fool,” says she, “what a blockhead you are to be thanking the ground thus, and take no notice of me! you sot, you! if you had lost such a treasure, instead of finding it, I should have been the first you would have laid the blame upon.” [more info]