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James Sogi

5/6/5
Aesop's Fables for Traders

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Now you must know that a Town Mouse once upon a time went on a visit to his cousin in the country. He was rough and ready, this cousin, but he loved his town friend and made him hearty welcome. Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had to offer, but he offered them freely. The Town Mouse rather turned up his long nose at this country fare, and said: "I cannot understand, Cousin, how you can put up with such poor food as this, but of course you cannot expect anything better in the country; come you with me and I will show you how to live. When you have been in town a week you will wonder how you ever have stood a county life." No sooner said than done: the two mice set out for the town and arrived at the Town Mouse's residence late at night. "You will want some refreshment after our long journey,'' said the polite Town Mouse, and took his friend into the grand dining room. There they found the remains of a fine feast, and soon the two mice were eating up jellies and cakes and all that was nice Suddenly they heard growling and barking. "What is that?" said the Country Mouse. "It is only the dogs of the house,'' answered the other. "Only!" said the Country Mouse. "I do not like that music at my dinner: Just at that moment the door flew open, in came two huge mastiffs, and the two mice had to scamper down and run off. "Good-bye, Cousin," said the Country Mouse, "What going so soon?" said the other. "Yes," he replied; "BETTER BUNS AND BACON IN PEACE THAN CAKES AND ALE IN FEAR"

For the Trader: Use appropriate leverage and make a decent return without fear.

The Dog and the Shadow

It happened that a Dog had got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in pace. Now on his way home he had to cross a plank lying across a running stream. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of meat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap at the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece of meat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more. ''BEWARE LEST YOU LOSE THE SUBSTANCE BY GRASPING AT THE SHADOW"

Traders: When you have a nice profit of 2% and your works calls for a decline or the move is extended, don't get greedy and try for 4% and lose what you have, take your profit and wait for the next overlay. The afternoon of Thursday, May 5, was a good example of this maxim.

James Sogi is a philosopher, Juris Doctor, surfer, trader, investor, musician, black belt, sailor, semi-centenarian. He lives on the mountain in Kona, Hawaii, with his family