Aesop and the Rude Man
Once upon a time, in an old town famous for its streets scented with linden, there lived the wise Aesop. Aesop told the people around him little stories full of deep meaning and tried to widen their horizons. But in the dark side streets of the town there wandered a rude man without manners who troubled everyone. This man took great pleasure in tormenting those around him and in mocking weak people. One day the wise Aesop was walking quietly, minding his own business, along a narrow stone-paved road. When the rude man saw Aesop, he picked up a sharp stone from the ground and threw it at the sage without hesitating. The stone struck Aesop's leg and the wise writer was shaken with deep pain.
Even so, Aesop stopped calmly and, instead of growing angry, took a silver coin out of his bag. Holding the coin out to the man, he began to speak with a sincere smile on his face. "You have earned this small reward for taking the trouble to stone me, my friend," he said. While the man took the money in astonishment, Aesop went on speaking at once. "But my money is little; I cannot give you a reward as great as you deserve," he added. "Do you see that rich and powerful commander walking over there in his splendid armour?" he asked. "If you throw a stone at him too, he will give you a handful of gold," he said.
The greedy and foolish man believed these words and at once found another huge stone. Running eagerly, he hurled the hard stone at the head of the powerful commander passing along the street. The commander, shaken with great fury, gave the order to his guards at once. The stern guards seized the rude man, threw him into the dungeon and gave him a heavy punishment. So the rude man paid bitterly for the insolence he had committed. Evil done without thought drags its owner sooner or later into a great disaster. He who sows the wind reaps the storm.