The Boy and the Filberts

A certain boy put his hand into a pitcher where a great plenty of figs and filberts were deposited. He grasped as many as his fist could possibly hold, but when he endeavored to pull it out, the narrowness of the neck prevented him. Unwilling to lose any of them, but unable to draw out his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly wailed about his bad fortune. An honest fellow, who stood by, gave him this wise and reasonable advice: "Grasp only half the quantity, my boy, and you will easily succeed."