Publisher's Synopsis
A certain Persian nobleman obtained from a cow gipsy a small oyster. Holding himup by the beard, he addressed him thus: "You must try to forgive me for what I am about to do; and you might as well setabout it at once, for you haven't much time. I should never think of swallowing youif it were not so easy; but opportunity is the strongest of all temptations. Besides, Iam an orphan, and very hungry.""Very well," replied the oyster; "it affords me genuine pleasure to comfort theparentless and the starving. I have already done my best for our friend here, ofwhom you purchased me; but although she has an amiable and accommodatingstomach, we couldn't agree. For this trifling incompatibility-would you believe it?-she was about to stew me! Saviour, benefactor, proceed.""I think," said the nobleman, rising and laying down the oyster, "I ought to knowsomething more definite about your antecedents before succouring you. If youcouldn't agree with your mistress, you are probably no better than you should be."People who begin doing something from a selfish motive frequently drop it whenthey learn that it is a real benevolence
