The Mule That Boasted of His Family

The Mule That Boasted of His Family is a fable by Jean de La Fontaine that teaches the important lesson of humility and knowing one's place. The story follows a haughty mule who endlessly brags about his horse father's noble achievements and ignores the fact that his mother is a mere donkey. When he becomes overly self-important, the others remind him of his lowly maternal lineage, putting him in his place. The tale serves as a reminder not to be presumptuous about one's status or lineage.

• Fable

								
An Episcopal Mule, of its family proud,
Would not keep his ancestry under a cloud,
But chattered, and bragged of his mother the mare:
Of her having done this, and her having been there;
And vowed that so famous a creature ignored,
Was a shame and disgrace to historian's record.
He frankly disdained on a doctor to wait,
And patiently stand at a poor patient's gate.
At last, growing old, in the mill he's confined,
Then his father, the donkey, came into his mind.
A misfortune is useful, if only to bring
A fool to his senses--a very good thing--
It's sent for a purpose, and always will be
Useful to some one or something, you see.
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