The Ass That Carried the Relics

"The Ass That Carried the Relics" is a tale adapted by renowned fable writer Jean de La Fontaine. It tells the story of an ass carrying the relics of saints. As he journeys along, the ass misinterprets the people's display of respect toward the relics he carries as respect for himself instead. The story serves as a sharp critique — implying that people can sometimes delude themselves about their own importance when they are merely vehicles for something of real value.

Genre: Fable

								
An Ass, with relics loaded, thought the crowd
Knelt down to him, and straightway grew so proud;
He took to his own merit, without qualms,
Even the incense and loud chaunted psalms,
Some one, to undeceive him, wisely said--
"A foolish vanity has turned your head:
They not to you, but to the idol pray;
Where glory's due, there they the honour pay."

When foolish magistrates rule o'er a town,
It's not the man we bow to, but his gown.
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