 It draws the human parallel with religious 'pastors', but also with ambassadors in the secular sphere, both of whom act as intermediaries of a higher power.None of these authors ascribed the fable to Aesop, but Christoph Murer mentioned "Aesop's Ass" in his book of emblems, "XL emblemata miscella nova" (1620), where it was likened to those who pursue ambition.At this time also the neo-Latin poet Pantaleon Candidus alluded to it in describing "those who aspire to great honours".