The Brother and the Sister

: Aesop's Fables

A FATHER had one son and one daughter, the former remarkable for

his good looks, the latter for her extraordinary ugliness. While

they were playing one day as children, they happened by chance to

look together into a mirror that was placed on their mother's

chair. The boy congratulated himself on his good looks; the girl

grew angry, and could not bear the self-praises of her Brother,

interpreting all he said (and how could she do otherwise?) into

reflection on herself. She ran off to her father. to be avenged

on her Brother, and spitefully accused him of having, as a boy,

made use of that which belonged only to girls. The father

embraced them both, and bestowing his kisses and affection

impartially on each, said, "I wish you both would look into the

mirror every day: you, my son, that you may not spoil your beauty

by evil conduct; and you, my daughter, that you may make up for

your lack of beauty by your virtues."



More

;