The Shepherd and the Sea
A shepherd moved his flock to feed near the shore. Beholding the sea lying in a smooth and breathless calm, he was seized with a strong desire to sail over it. So he sold all his sheep, bought a cargo of dates, loaded a vessel, and set sail. He had not gone far when a storm arose; his ship was wrecked, and his dates and everything was lost. He, with difficulty, was able to reach land.
Not long after, when the sea was again calm and one of his friends came up to him and was admiring its repose, he said, "Have a care, my good fellow, of that smooth surface; it is only looking out for your dates."