A miser buried a bag of gold coins in a hole in the ground. He never spent any of the money, but he often returned to the hole to check and make sure his treasure was safe.
A neighbor grew suspicious when he saw the miser visiting and revisiting the spot. He investigated, found the treasure, and stole it.
When the miser returned and discovered his money was gone, he began shrieking.
The same neighbor came out and consoled him. "Just put a rock there instead," he advised. "It will do you as much good as that money ever did."
Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una, a collection of Latin fables that I've edited, free to read online. I am not translating the Latin here; instead, I am just telling a 100-word version of the fable.
Notes: This is fable 981 in the book, which is Perry 225. In the original story, it is not the thief who consoles the miser, but I thought that made for a nice twist.
(illustration by Grandville)
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