The Gnat and the Bull

A tiny gnat, buzzing with an arrogance far greater than his size, flew across the meadow until he spotted a magnificent bull grazing peacefully in the tall grass. The gnat circled the beast for some time, looking for the perfect place to land. Finally, he alighted upon the very tip of the bull’s horn.

He clung there for a long while, preening his wings and strutting about, until he felt he had waited long enough to be noticed. Clearing his throat with a sharp, high-pitched buzz, the gnat spoke to the bull in a tone of exaggerated importance. 'Oh, mighty Bull,' he droned, 'I pray you, forgive me if I have caused you any discomfort by resting upon your horn. I know I am quite heavy, and I have been weighing you down for quite some time. If you wish for me to depart so that you may continue your grazing in peace, pray tell me, and I shall fly away at once.'

He paused, expecting the bull to be struck with awe at his consideration or perhaps grateful for his polite request. He waited for a reply, puffing out his tiny chest and twitching his wings in anticipation of a grand response.

However, the bull did not even look up from his grass. He continued to chew his cud with slow, rhythmic satisfaction, entirely undisturbed by the tiny creature perched upon his brow. He did not blink, nor did he flick his tail. To the bull, the gnat was nothing more than a whisper of air, a speck of dust, or a momentary tickle that had long since been forgotten.

Finding that his presence was not even acknowledged, let alone feared or appreciated, the gnat finally took flight. He buzzed away in a huff, deeply offended that his self-importance had gone completely unnoticed by the one he had tried to impress. The bull remained in the meadow, strong and steady, never having known that the gnat had ever been there at all.