The laughable stories collected by Mâr Gregory John Bar Hebræ

STORIES OF CLOWNS AND SIMPLETONS.
DXXXIII. It is said that a silly fellow heard that
a certain man was dead, and that when he saw his
brother, he asked him, "Is it thou that art dead, or
"thy
brother?"
DXXXIV. Another silly fellow whose son was dead
was much grieved, and he wished to kill himself, but
having taken counsel with one of his friends, he said,
"Perhaps if I kill myself the prince will suffer sorrow
on my account."
DXXXV. The wife of another simpleton said to him,
"Thy beard has grown long by reason of thy stupidity,"
and he said to her, "Reproach me not, otherwise that
"for which thou reproachest me may happen unto thee,"
that is to say "thy beard may grow long."
DXXXVI. To another man a son was born, and when
his neighbours came to congratulate him he thanked
them, and said, "He cometh from God and from
"you."
DXXXVII. Stultus alius quidam qui cum matre sua
pisces conditos edebat, "Epulare" ait, "mi mater: Cibum
"enim habemus ad coeundum praestantissimum."
DXXXVIII. Another simpleton went to visit his
neighbour's son who was sick, and he said to his
neighbour, "When he dieth, do not do as thou didst