They were always pulling some kind of trick on poor mortals.
"We poor mortals are forced to live in the shadows of their achievements," he said.
"Not that I would dare to contradict your will, but we poor mortals must have our proper explanations."
If you have a moment, pity us poor mortals with our doubts and failings.
We other poor mortals do occasionally succeed, you know.
Such are the changes of this fleeting world, and so short-sighted are we poor mortals!
"There are mysteries too deep for us poor mortals to understand," she said solemnly.
At least it's finished now, for those poor mortals and for us.
Why don't you dragons raise your children yourself, instead of palming them off on us poor unsuspecting mortals?