The Journey Begun by Joseph and Enan
The author has now finished his protest against his visitor’s design, to make him join him on a roving expedition. Enan glares, and asks, “Am I a fox, and thou a leopard, that I should fear thee?” Then his note changes, and his tone becomes coaxing and bland. Joseph cannot resist his fascination. Together they start, riding on their asses. Then says Enan unto Joseph, “Carry thou me, or I will carry thee.” “But,” continues the narrator, Joseph, “we were both riding on our asses. ‘What dost thou mean? Our asses carry us both. Explain thy words.’—‘It is the story of the peasant with the king’s officer.’”