A MAN was driving his buffalo to market. On the way they passed a marsh. The buffalo, in accordance with its habit, went into it and started wallowing. The man tried to get him out of it and threatened him with his stick, but the buffalo took no notice.
There came a gnat buzzing by the man and saying to him:
"What wilt thou say if I drive him out of the swamp?"
"You," replied the man contemptuously, "what can a little midget like you do, when the buffalo does not care even for me?"
"Just so," said the gnat, "I will show you that I can do what you cannot."
"Try, then, if you can." So the gnat went and placed itself under the fold of the buffalo's belly, and stung him just between the creases of the skin where the flesh was softest.
Up jumped the buffalo, and in a wink he had got out of the mire, and was brought to the market by the man who owned shamefacedly that of the two the gnat was the stronger.
"Hi! hi!" hissed the gnat, "didst thou see that I could do with my little tongue, what thou with thy mighty cudgel couldst not do?"
