Cobwebs from an Empty Skull

A mole, in pursuing certain geological researches, came upon the buried carcase of a mule, and was about to tunnel him.

“Slow down, my good friend,” said the deceased.  “Push your mining operations in a less sacrilegious direction.  Respect the dead, as you hope for death!”

“You have that about you,” said the gnome, “that must make your grave respected in a certain sense, for at least such a period as your immortal part may require for perfect exhalation.  The immunity I accord is not conceded to your sanctity, but extorted by your scent.  The sepulchres of moles only are sacred.”

To moles, the body of a lifeless mule
A dead mule’s carcase is, and nothing more.