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Title: The Aesop for Children

Author: Aesop

Illustrator: Milo Winter

Release date: December 2, 2006 [eBook #19994]
Most recently updated: August 31, 2018

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19994

Credits: Produced by Jason Isbell Christine D. and the Online
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AESOP FOR
CHILDREN ***

THE ÆSOP FOR CHILDREN

THE COCK AND THE FOX Fable,
Page 58

The ÆSOP for
CHILDREN

WITH PICTURES BY

MILO WINTER

RAND McNALLY & CO.
CHICAGO

Copyright, 1919, by
Rand McNally & Company

A LIST OF THE FABLES
PAGE
The Wolf and the Kid 11
The Tortoise and the Ducks 12
The Young Crab and His Mother 13
The Frogs and the Ox 13
The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox 14
Belling the Cat 15
The Eagle and the Jackdaw 16
The Boy and the Filberts 16
Hercules and the Wagoner 17
The Kid and the Wolf 17
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse 18
The Fox and the Grapes 20
The Bundle of Sticks 20
The Wolf and the Crane 21
The Ass and His Driver 22
The Oxen and the Wheels 22
The Lion and the Mouse 23
The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf 24
The Gnat and the Bull 25
The Plane Tree 25
The Farmer and the Stork 26
The Sheep and the Pig 26
The Travelers and the Purse 28
The Lion and the Ass 28
The Frogs Who Wished for a King 29
The Owl and the Grasshopper 30
The Wolf and His Shadow 31
The Oak and the Reeds 32
The Rat and the Elephant 33
The Boys and the Frogs 33
The Crow and the Pitcher 34
The Ants and the Grasshopper 34

The Ass Carrying the Image 35
A Raven and a Swan 35
The Two Goats 36
The Ass and the Load of Salt 36
The Lion and the Gnat 38
The Leap at Rhodes 38
The Cock and the Jewel 39
The Monkey and the Camel 39
The Wild Boar and the Fox 40
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion 40
The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat 41
The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox 41
The Wolf and the Lamb 42
The Wolf and the Sheep 43
The Hares and the Frogs 43
The Fox and the Stork 44
The Travelers and the Sea 45
The Wolf and the Lion 45
The Stag and His Reflection 46
The Peacock 46
The Mice and the Weasels 48
The Wolf and the Lean Dog 48
The Fox and the Lion 49
The Lion and the Ass 50
The Dog and His Master's Dinner 50
The Vain Jackdaw and his Borrowed Feathers 51
The Monkey and the Dolphin 52
The Wolf and the Ass 53
The Monkey and the Cat 54
The Dogs and the Fox 54
The Dogs and the Hides 55
The Rabbit, the Weasel, and the Cat 55
The Bear and the Bees 56
The Fox and the Leopard 56
The Heron 58
The Cock and the Fox 58
The Dog in the Manger 59
The Wolf and the Goat 60

The Ass and the Grasshoppers 60
The Mule 61
The Fox and the Goat 61
The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse 62
The Wolf and the Shepherd 63
The Peacock and the Crane 64
The Farmer and the Cranes 64
The Farmer and His Sons 65
The Two Pots 66
The Goose and the Golden Egg 66
The Fighting Bulls and the Frog 68
The Mouse and the Weasel 68
The Farmer and the Snake 69
The Goatherd and the Wild Goats 69
The Spendthrift and the Swallow 70
The Cat and the Birds 70
The Dog and the Oyster 71
The Astrologer 71
Three Bullocks and a Lion 72
Mercury and the Woodman 72
The Frog and the Mouse 74
The Fox and the Crab 74
The Serpent and the Eagle 75
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 75
The Bull and the Goat 76
The Eagle and the Beetle 76
The Old Lion and the Fox 78
The Man and the Lion 78
The Ass and the Lap Dog 79
The Milkmaid and Her Pail 80
The Wolf and the Shepherd 80
The Goatherd and the Goat 81
The Miser 81
The Wolf and the House Dog 82
The Fox and the Hedgehog 83
The Bat and the Weasels 84
The Quack Toad 84
The Fox Without a Tail 85

The Mischievous Dog 86
The Rose and the Butterfly 86
The Cat and the Fox 88
The Boy and the Nettles 88
The Old Lion 89
The Fox and the Pheasants 89
Two Travelers and a Bear 90
The Porcupine and the Snakes 91
The Fox and the Monkey 91
The Mother and the Wolf 92
The Flies and the Honey 92
The Eagle and the Kite 93
The Stag, the Sheep, and the Wolf 93
The Animals and the Plague 94
The Shepherd and the Lion 95
The Dog and His Reflection 96
The Hare and the Tortoise 96
The Bees and Wasps, and the Hornet 98
The Lark and Her Young Ones 99
The Cat and the Old Rat 100
The Fox and the Crow 101
The Ass and His Shadow 102
The Miller, His Son, and the Ass 102
The Ant and the Dove 104
The Man and the Satyr 104
The Wolf, the Kid, and the Goat 106
The Swallow and the Crow 106
Jupiter and the Monkey 107
The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox 107
The Lion's Share 108
The Mole and his Mother 108
The North Wind and the Sun 109
The Hare and His Ears 110
The Wolves and the Sheep 110
The Fox and the Cock 111
The Ass in the Lion's Skin 111
The Fisherman and the Little Fish 112
The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle 112

THE ÆSOP FOR CHILDREN

THE WOLF AND THE KID
There was once a little Kid whose growing horns made him think he was a grown-
up Billy Goat and able to take care of himself. So one evening when the flock
started home from the pasture and his mother called, the Kid paid no heed and kept
right on nibbling the tender grass. A little later when he lifted his head, the flock
was gone.
He was all alone. The sun was sinking. Long shadows came creeping over the
ground. A chilly little wind came creeping with them making scary noises in the
grass. The Kid shivered as he thought of the terrible Wolf. Then he started wildly
over the field, bleating for his mother. But not half-way, near a clump of trees, there
was the Wolf!
The Kid knew there was little hope for him.
"Please, Mr. Wolf," he said trembling, "I know you are going to eat me. But first
please pipe me a tune, for I want to dance and be merry as long as I can."
The Wolf liked the idea of a little music before eating, so he struck up a merry tune
and the Kid leaped and frisked gaily.
Meanwhile, the flock was moving slowly homeward. In the still evening air the
Wolf's piping carried far. The Shepherd Dogs pricked up their ears. They
recognized the song the Wolf sings before a feast, and in a moment they were
racing back to the pasture. The Wolf's song ended suddenly, and as he ran, with the
Dogs at his heels, he called himself a fool for turning piper to please a Kid, when he
should have stuck to his butcher's trade.
Do not let anything turn you from your purpose.

THE WOLF AND THE KID

THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS
The Tortoise, you know, carries his
house on his back. No matter how
hard he tries, he cannot leave home.
They say that Jupiter punished him
so, because he was such a lazy stay-
at-home that he would not go to
Jupiter's wedding, even when
especially invited.
After many years, Tortoise began to
wish he had gone to that wedding.
When he saw how gaily the birds
flew about and how the Hare and the
Chipmunk and all the other animals
ran nimbly by, always eager to see
everything there was to be seen, the
Tortoise felt very sad and
discontented. He wanted to see the
world too, and there he was with a
house on his back and little short
legs that could hardly drag him
along.
One day he met a pair of Ducks and
told them all his trouble.
"We can help you to see the world,"
said the Ducks. "Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up
in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be
sorry."
The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two
Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.
Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and
cried:
"This must surely be the King of Tortoises!"

"Why certainly——" began the Tortoise.
But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick,
and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.
Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.

THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER
"Why in the world do you walk
sideways like that?" said a Mother
Crab to her son. "You should always
walk straight forward with your toes
turned out."
"Show me how to walk, mother
dear," answered the little Crab
obediently, "I want to learn."
So the old Crab tried and tried to
walk straight forward. But she could
walk sideways only, like her son.
And when she wanted to turn her
toes out she tripped and fell on her
nose.
Do not tell others how to act unless
you can set a good example.

THE FROGS AND THE OX
An Ox came down to a reedy pool
to drink. As he splashed heavily into
the water, he crushed a young Frog
into the mud. The old Frog soon
missed the little one and asked his
brothers and sisters what had
become of him.
"A great big monster," said one of
them, "stepped on little brother with
one of his huge feet!"
"Big, was he!" said the old Frog,
puffing herself up. "Was he as big as
this?"
"Oh, much bigger!" they cried.
The Frog puffed up still more.
"He could not have been bigger than this," she said. But the little Frogs all declared
that the monster was much, much bigger and the old Frog kept puffing herself out
more and more until, all at once, she burst.
Do not attempt the impossible.

THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX
A Dog and a Cock, who were the
best of friends, wished very much to
see something of the world. So they
decided to leave the farmyard and to
set out into the world along the road
that led to the woods. The two
comrades traveled along in the very
best of spirits and without meeting
any adventure to speak of.
At nightfall the Cock, looking for a
place to roost, as was his custom,
spied nearby a hollow tree that he
thought would do very nicely for a
night's lodging. The Dog could creep
inside and the Cock would fly up on
one of the branches. So said, so done,
and both slept very comfortably.
With the first glimmer of dawn the
Cock awoke. For the moment he
forgot just where he was. He thought
he was still in the farmyard where it
had been his duty to arouse the
household at daybreak. So standing
on tip-toes he flapped his wings and
crowed lustily. But instead of
awakening the farmer, he awakened a Fox not far off in the wood. The Fox
immediately had rosy visions of a very delicious breakfast. Hurrying to the tree
where the Cock was roosting, he said very politely:
"A hearty welcome to our woods, honored sir. I cannot tell you how glad I am to
see you here. I am quite sure we shall become the closest of friends."
"I feel highly flattered, kind sir," replied the Cock slyly. "If you will please go
around to the door of my house at the foot of the tree, my porter will let you in."

The hungry but unsuspecting Fox, went around the tree as he was told, and in a
twinkling the Dog had seized him.
Those who try to deceive may expect to be paid in their own coin.

BELLING THE CAT

The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their
enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was
coming, so they might have time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for
they lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir from their
dens by night or day.
Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good enough. At last a
very young Mouse got up and said:
"I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be successful. All we have
to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will
know immediately that our enemy is coming."
All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought of such a plan before.
But in the midst of the rejoicing over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and
said:

"I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good. But let me ask one
question: Who will bell the Cat?"
It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to
do it.

THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW
An Eagle, swooping down on
powerful wings, seized a lamb in
her talons and made off with it to
her nest. A Jackdaw saw the
deed, and his silly head was
filled with the idea that he was
big and strong enough to do as
the Eagle had done. So with
much rustling of feathers and a
fierce air, he came down swiftly
on the back of a large Ram. But
when he tried to rise again he
found that he could not get away,
for his claws were tangled in the
wool. And so far was he from
carrying away the Ram, that the
Ram hardly noticed he was there.
The Shepherd saw the fluttering
Jackdaw and at once guessed
what had happened. Running up,
he caught the bird and clipped its
wings. That evening he gave the
Jackdaw to his children.
"What a funny bird this is!" they
said laughing, "what do you call
it, father?"
"That is a Jackdaw, my children. But if you should ask him, he would say he is an
Eagle."
Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers.

THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS
A Boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher to get some filberts. But
he took such a great fistful that he could not draw his hand out again. There he
stood, unwilling to give up a single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at
once. Vexed and disappointed he began to cry.
"My boy," said his mother, "be satisfied with half the nuts you have taken and you
will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps you may have some more filberts some
other time."
Do not attempt too much at once.

HERCULES AND THE WAGONER
A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The
horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a
standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut.
The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon looking at it
but without making the least effort to get it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his
bad luck and call loudly on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules
really did appear, saying:
"Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do you think you
can move the wagon by simply looking at it and whining about it? Hercules will not
help unless you make some effort to help yourself."
And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses, the
wagon moved very readily, and soon the Farmer was riding along in great content
and with a good lesson learned.
Self help is the best help.
Heaven helps those who help themselves.

THE KID AND THE WOLF
A frisky young Kid had been left by
the herdsman on the thatched roof of
a sheep shelter to keep him out of
harm's way. The Kid was browsing
near the edge of the roof, when he
spied a Wolf and began to jeer at
him, making faces and abusing him
to his heart's content.
"I hear you," said the Wolf, "and I
haven't the least grudge against you
for what you say or do. When you
are up there it is the roof that's
talking, not you."
Do not say anything at any time that
you would not say at all times.

THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
A Town Mouse once visited a
relative who lived in the country. For
lunch the Country Mouse served
wheat stalks, roots, and acorns, with
a dash of cold water for drink. The
Town Mouse ate very sparingly,
nibbling a little of this and a little of
that, and by her manner making it
very plain that she ate the simple
food only to be polite.
After the meal the friends had a long
talk, or rather the Town Mouse talked about her life in the city while the Country
Mouse listened. They then went to bed in a cozy nest in the hedgerow and slept in
quiet and comfort until morning. In her sleep the Country Mouse dreamed she was
a Town Mouse with all the luxuries and delights of city life that her friend had
described for her. So the next day when the Town Mouse asked the Country Mouse
to go home with her to the city, she gladly said yes.
When they reached the mansion in which the Town Mouse lived, they found on the
table in the dining room the leavings of a very fine banquet. There were sweetmeats
and jellies, pastries, delicious cheeses, indeed, the most tempting foods that a
Mouse can imagine. But just as the Country Mouse was about to nibble a dainty bit
of pastry, she heard a Cat mew loudly and scratch at the door. In great fear the Mice
scurried to a hiding place, where they lay quite still for a long time, hardly daring to
breathe. When at last they ventured back to the feast, the door opened suddenly and
in came the servants to clear the table, followed by the House Dog.
The Country Mouse stopped in the Town Mouse's den only long enough to pick up
her carpet bag and umbrella.
"You may have luxuries and dainties that I have not," she said as she hurried away,
"but I prefer my plain food and simple life in the country with the peace and
security that go with it."
Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE
COUNTRY MOUSE

THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
A Fox one day spied a beautiful
bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a
vine trained along the branches of a
tree. The grapes seemed ready to
burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth
watered as he gazed longingly at
them.
The bunch hung from a high branch,
and the Fox had to jump for it. The
first time he jumped he missed it by
a long way. So he walked off a short
distance and took a running leap at
it, only to fall short once more.
Again and again he tried, but in vain.
Now he sat down and looked at the
grapes in disgust.
"What a fool I am," he said. "Here I
am wearing myself out to get a
bunch of sour grapes that are not
worth gaping for."
And off he walked very, very
scornfully.
There are many who pretend to
despise and belittle that which is
beyond their reach.

THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among
themselves. No words he could say did the least good, so he cast about in his mind
for some very striking example that should make them see that discord would lead
them to misfortune.
One day when the quarreling had been much more violent than usual and each of
the Sons was moping in a surly manner, he asked one of them to bring him a bundle
of sticks. Then handing the bundle to each of his Sons in turn he told them to try to
break it. But although each one tried his best, none was able to do so.
The Father then untied the bundle and gave the sticks to his Sons to break one by
one. This they did very easily.
"My Sons," said the Father, "do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with
each other and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you?
But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick
in that bundle."
In unity is strength.

THE WOLF AND THE CRANE
A Wolf had been feasting too
greedily, and a bone had stuck
crosswise in his throat. He could
get it neither up nor down, and of
course he could not eat a thing.
Naturally that was an awful state of
affairs for a greedy Wolf.
So away he hurried to the Crane.
He was sure that she, with her long
neck and bill, would easily be able
to reach the bone and pull it out.
"I will reward you very
handsomely," said the Wolf, "if you
pull that bone out for me."
The Crane, as you can imagine,
was very uneasy about putting her
head in a Wolf's throat. But she was
grasping in nature, so she did what
the Wolf asked her to do.
When the Wolf felt that the bone
was gone, he started to walk away.
"But what about my reward!"
called the Crane anxiously.
"What!" snarled the Wolf, whirling
around. "Haven't you got it? Isn't it enough that I let you take your head out of my
mouth without snapping it off?"
Expect no reward for serving the wicked.

THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER
An Ass was being driven along a
road leading down the mountain
side, when he suddenly took it into
his silly head to choose his own
path. He could see his stall at the
foot of the mountain, and to him the
quickest way down seemed to be
over the edge of the nearest cliff.
Just as he was about to leap over, his
master caught him by the tail and
tried to pull him back, but the
stubborn Ass would not yield and
pulled with all his might.
"Very well," said his master, "go
your way, you willful beast, and see
where it leads you."
With that he let go, and the foolish
Ass tumbled head over heels down
the mountain side.
They who will not listen to reason
but stubbornly go their own way
against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than they, are on the road to
misfortune.

THE OXEN AND THE WHEELS
A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded wagon along a miry country road.
They had to use all their strength to pull the wagon, but they did not complain.
The Wheels of the wagon were of a different sort. Though the task they had to do
was very light compared with that of the Oxen, they creaked and groaned at every
turn. The poor Oxen, pulling with all their might to draw the wagon through the
deep mud, had their ears filled with the loud complaining of the Wheels. And this,
you may well know, made their work so much the harder to endure.
"Silence!" the Oxen cried at last, out of patience. "What have you Wheels to
complain about so loudly? We are drawing all the weight, not you, and we are
keeping still about it besides."
They complain most who suffer least.

THE LION AND THE MOUSE

A Lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on his paws. A timid little
Mouse came upon him unexpectedly, and in her fright and haste to get away, ran
across the Lion's nose. Roused from his nap, the Lion laid his huge paw angrily on
the tiny creature to kill her.
"Spare me!" begged the poor Mouse. "Please let me go and some day I will surely
repay you."
The Lion was much amused to think that a Mouse could ever help him. But he was
generous and finally let the Mouse go.
Some days later, while stalking his prey in the forest, the Lion was caught in the
toils of a hunter's net. Unable to free himself, he filled the forest with his angry
roaring. The Mouse knew the voice and quickly found the Lion struggling in the
net. Running to one of the great ropes that bound him, she gnawed it until it parted,
and soon the Lion was free.

"You laughed when I said I would repay you," said the Mouse. "Now you see that
even a Mouse can help a Lion."
A kindness is never wasted.

THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF
A Shepherd Boy tended his master's
Sheep near a dark forest not far from
the village. Soon he found life in the
pasture very dull. All he could do to
amuse himself was to talk to his dog
or play on his shepherd's pipe.
One day as he sat watching the Sheep
and the quiet forest, and thinking
what he would do should he see a
Wolf, he thought of a plan to amuse
himself.
His Master had told him to call for
help should a Wolf attack the flock,
and the Villagers would drive it away.
So now, though he had not seen
anything that even looked like a
Wolf, he ran toward the village
shouting at the top of his voice,
"Wolf! Wolf!"
As he expected, the Villagers who
heard the cry dropped their work and
ran in great excitement to the pasture.
But when they got there they found
the Boy doubled up with laughter at
the trick he had played on them.
A few days later the Shepherd Boy again shouted, "Wolf! Wolf!" Again the
Villagers ran to help him, only to be laughed at again.
Then one evening as the sun was setting behind the forest and the shadows were
creeping out over the pasture, a Wolf really did spring from the underbrush and fall
upon the Sheep.
In terror the Boy ran toward the village shouting "Wolf! Wolf!" But though the
Villagers heard the cry, they did not run to help him as they had before. "He cannot

fool us again," they said.
The Wolf killed a great many of the Boy's sheep and then slipped away into the
forest.
Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.

THE GNAT AND THE BULL
A Gnat flew over the meadow with
much buzzing for so small a creature
and settled on the tip of one of the
horns of a Bull. After he had rested a
short time, he made ready to fly
away. But before he left he begged
the Bull's pardon for having used his
horn for a resting place.
"You must be very glad to have me
go now," he said.
"It's all the same to me," replied the
Bull. "I did not even know you were
there."
We are often of greater importance
in our own eyes than in the eyes of
our neighbor.
The smaller the mind the greater the
conceit.

THE PLANE TREE
Two Travellers, walking in the
noonday sun, sought the shade of a
widespreading tree to rest. As they
lay looking up among the pleasant
leaves, they saw that it was a Plane
Tree.
"How useless is the Plane!" said one
of them. "It bears no fruit whatever,
and only serves to litter the ground
with leaves."
"Ungrateful creatures!" said a voice
from the Plane Tree. "You lie here in
my cooling shade, and yet you say I
am useless! Thus ungratefully, O
Jupiter, do men receive their
blessings!"
Our best blessings are often the least
appreciated.

THE FARMER AND THE STORK
A Stork of a very simple and
trusting nature had been asked by a
gay party of Cranes to visit a field
that had been newly planted. But the
party ended dismally with all the
birds entangled in the meshes of the
Farmer's net.
The Stork begged the Farmer to
spare him.
"Please let me go," he pleaded. "I
belong to the Stork family who you
know are honest and birds of good
character. Besides, I did not know
the Cranes were going to steal."
"You may be a very good bird," answered the Farmer, "but I caught you with the
thieving Cranes and you will have to share the same punishment with them."
You are judged by the company you keep.

THE SHEEP AND THE PIG
One day a shepherd discovered a fat Pig in the meadow where his Sheep were
pastured. He very quickly captured the porker, which squealed at the top of its voice
the moment the Shepherd laid his hands on it. You would have thought, to hear the
loud squealing, that the Pig was being cruelly hurt. But in spite of its squeals and
struggles to escape, the Shepherd tucked his prize under his arm and started off to
the butcher's in the market place.
The Sheep in the pasture were much astonished and amused at the Pig's behavior,
and followed the Shepherd and his charge to the pasture gate.
"What makes you squeal like that?" asked one of the Sheep. "The Shepherd often
catches and carries off one of us. But we should feel very much ashamed to make
such a terrible fuss about it like you do."
"That is all very well," replied the Pig, with a squeal and a frantic kick. "When he
catches you he is only after your wool. But he wants my bacon! gree-ee-ee!"
It is easy to be brave when there is no danger.

THE SHEEP AND THE PIG

THE TRAVELERS AND THE PURSE
Two men were traveling in company
along the road when one of them
picked up a well-filled purse.
"How lucky I am!" he said. "I have
found a purse. Judging by its weight
it must be full of gold."
"Do not say 'I have found a purse,'"
said his companion. "Say rather 'we
have found a purse' and 'how lucky
we are.' Travelers ought to share
alike the fortunes or misfortunes of
the road."
"No, no," replied the other angrily.
"I found it and I am going to keep
it."
Just then they heard a shout of
"Stop, thief!" and looking around,
saw a mob of people armed with
clubs coming down the road.
The man who had found the purse
fell into a panic.
"We are lost if they find the purse on us," he cried.
"No, no," replied the other, "You would not say 'we' before, so now stick to your 'I'.
Say 'I am lost.'"
We cannot expect any one to share our misfortunes unless we are willing to share
our good fortune also.

THE LION AND THE ASS
One day as the Lion walked proudly down a forest aisle, and the animals
respectfully made way for him, an Ass brayed a scornful remark as he passed.
The Lion felt a flash of anger. But when he turned his head and saw who had
spoken, he walked quietly on. He would not honor the fool with even so much as a
stroke of his claws.
Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them.

THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING
The Frogs were tired of governing
themselves. They had so much
freedom that it had spoiled them, and
they did nothing but sit around
croaking in a bored manner and
wishing for a government that could
entertain them with the pomp and
display of royalty, and rule them in a
way to make them know they were
being ruled. No milk and water
government for them, they declared.
So they sent a petition to Jupiter
asking for a king.
Jupiter saw what simple and foolish
creatures they were, but to keep them
quiet and make them think they had a
king he threw down a huge log,
which fell into the water with a great
splash. The Frogs hid themselves
among the reeds and grasses, thinking
the new king to be some fearful giant.
But they soon discovered how tame
and peaceable King Log was. In a
short time the younger Frogs were
using him for a diving platform, while the older Frogs made him a meeting place,
where they complained loudly to Jupiter about the government.
To teach the Frogs a lesson the ruler of the gods now sent a Crane to be king of
Frogland. The Crane proved to be a very different sort of king from old King Log.
He gobbled up the poor Frogs right and left and they soon saw what fools they had
been. In mournful croaks they begged Jupiter to take away the cruel tyrant before
they should all be destroyed.
"How now!" cried Jupiter "Are you not yet content? You have what you asked for
and so you have only yourselves to blame for your misfortunes."

Be sure you can better your condition before you seek to change.

THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER
The Owl always takes her sleep during
the day. Then after sundown, when the
rosy light fades from the sky and the
shadows rise slowly through the wood,
out she comes ruffling and blinking from
the old hollow tree. Now her weird "hoo-
hoo-hoo-oo-oo" echoes through the quiet
wood, and she begins her hunt for the
bugs and beetles, frogs and mice she likes
so well to eat.
Now there was a certain old Owl who had
become very cross and hard to please as
she grew older, especially if anything
disturbed her daily slumbers. One warm
summer afternoon as she dozed away in
her den in the old oak tree, a Grasshopper
nearby began a joyous but very raspy
song. Out popped the old Owl's head
from the opening in the tree that served
her both for door and for window.
"Get away from here, sir," she said to the
Grasshopper. "Have you no manners?
You should at least respect my age and
leave me to sleep in quiet!"
But the Grasshopper answered saucily
that he had as much right to his place in
the sun as the Owl had to her place in the
old oak. Then he struck up a louder and still more rasping tune.
The wise old Owl knew quite well that it would do no good to argue with the
Grasshopper, nor with anybody else for that matter. Besides, her eyes were not
sharp enough by day to permit her to punish the Grasshopper as he deserved. So she
laid aside all hard words and spoke very kindly to him.

"Well sir," she said, "if I must stay
awake, I am going to settle right
down to enjoy your singing. Now
that I think of it, I have a
wonderful wine here, sent me from
Olympus, of which I am told
Apollo drinks before he sings to
the high gods. Please come up and
taste this delicious drink with me. I
know it will make you sing like
Apollo himself."
The foolish Grasshopper was taken
in by the Owl's flattering words.
Up he jumped to the Owl's den, but
as soon as he was near enough so
the old Owl could see him clearly,
she pounced upon him and ate him up.
Flattery is not a proof of true admiration.
Do not let flattery throw you off your guard against an enemy.

THE WOLF AND HIS SHADOW
A Wolf left his lair one evening in
fine spirits and an excellent appetite.
As he ran, the setting sun cast his
shadow far out on the ground, and it
looked as if the wolf were a hundred
times bigger than he really was.
"Why," exclaimed the Wolf proudly,
"see how big I am! Fancy me
running away from a puny Lion! I'll
show him who is fit to be king, he
or I."
Just then an immense shadow
blotted him out entirely, and the
next instant a Lion struck him down
with a single blow.
Do not let your fancy make you
forget realities.

THE OAK AND THE REEDS

A Giant Oak stood near a brook in which grew some slender Reeds. When the wind
blew, the great Oak stood proudly upright with its hundred arms uplifted to the sky.
But the Reeds bowed low in the wind and sang a sad and mournful song.
"You have reason to complain," said the Oak. "The slightest breeze that ruffles the
surface of the water makes you bow your heads, while I, the mighty Oak, stand
upright and firm before the howling tempest."
"Do not worry about us," replied the Reeds. "The winds do not harm us. We bow
before them and so we do not break. You, in all your pride and strength, have so far
resisted their blows. But the end is coming."
As the Reeds spoke a great hurricane rushed out of the north. The Oak stood
proudly and fought against the storm, while the yielding Reeds bowed low. The
wind redoubled in fury, and all at once the great tree fell, torn up by the roots, and
lay among the pitying Reeds.
Better to yield when it is folly to resist, than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed.

THE RAT AND THE ELEPHANT
A Rat was traveling along the King's highway. He was a very proud Rat,
considering his small size and the bad reputation all Rats have. As Mr. Rat walked
along—he kept mostly to the ditch—he noticed a great commotion up the road, and
soon a grand procession came in view. It was the King and his retinue.
The King rode on a huge Elephant adorned with the most gorgeous trappings. With
the King in his luxurious howdah were the royal Dog and Cat. A great crowd of
people followed the procession. They were so taken up with admiration of the
Elephant, that the Rat was not noticed. His pride was hurt.
"What fools!" he cried. "Look at me, and you will soon forget that clumsy
Elephant! Is it his great size that makes your eyes pop out? Or is it his wrinkled
hide? Why, I have eyes and ears and as many legs as he! I am of just as much
importance, and"—
But just then the royal Cat spied him, and the next instant, the Rat knew he was not
quite so important as an Elephant.
A resemblance to the great in some things does not make us great.

THE BOYS AND THE FROGS
Some Boys were playing one day
at the edge of a pond in which
lived a family of Frogs. The Boys
amused themselves by throwing
stones into the pond so as to make
them skip on top of the water.
The stones were flying thick and
fast and the Boys were enjoying
themselves very much; but the
poor Frogs in the pond were
trembling with fear.
At last one of the Frogs, the oldest
and bravest, put his head out of the
water, and said, "Oh, please, dear
children, stop your cruel play!
Though it may be fun for you, it
means death to us!"
Always stop to think whether your fun may not be the cause of another's
unhappiness.

THE CROW AND THE PITCHER
In a spell of dry weather, when the
Birds could find very little to drink,
a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a
little water in it. But the pitcher was
high and had a narrow neck, and no
matter how he tried, the Crow could
not reach the water. The poor thing
felt as if he must die of thirst.
Then an idea came to him. Picking
up some small pebbles, he dropped
them into the pitcher one by one.
With each pebble the water rose a
little higher until at last it was near
enough so he could drink.
In a pinch a good use of our wits
may help us out.

THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER
One bright day in late autumn a
family of Ants were bustling
about in the warm sunshine,
drying out the grain they had
stored up during the summer,
when a starving Grasshopper, his
fiddle under his arm, came up and
humbly begged for a bite to eat.
"What!" cried the Ants in
surprise, "haven't you stored
anything away for the winter?
What in the world were you
doing all last summer?"
"I didn't have time to store up any
food," whined the Grasshopper;
"I was so busy making music that
before I knew it the summer was
gone."
The Ants shrugged their shoulders in disgust.
"Making music, were you?" they cried. "Very well; now dance!" And they turned
their backs on the Grasshopper and went on with their work.
There's a time for work and a time for play.

THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE
A sacred Image was being carried to the temple. It was mounted on an Ass adorned
with garlands and gorgeous trappings, and a grand procession of priests and pages
followed it through the streets. As the Ass walked along, the people bowed their
heads reverently or fell on their knees, and the Ass thought the honor was being
paid to himself.
With his head full of this foolish idea, he became so puffed up with pride and vanity
that he halted and started to bray loudly. But in the midst of his song, his driver
guessed what the Ass had got into his head, and began to beat him unmercifully
with a stick.
"Go along with you, you stupid Ass," he cried. "The honor is not meant for you but
for the image you are carrying."
Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others.

A RAVEN AND A SWAN
A Raven, which you know is black
as coal, was envious of the Swan,
because her feathers were as white
as the purest snow. The foolish bird
got the idea that if he lived like the
Swan, swimming and diving all
day long and eating the weeds and
plants that grow in the water, his
feathers would turn white like the
Swan's.
So he left his home in the woods
and fields and flew down to live on
the lakes and in the marshes. But
though he washed and washed all
day long, almost drowning himself
at it, his feathers remained as black
as ever. And as the water weeds he
ate did not agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died.
A change of habits will not alter nature.

THE TWO GOATS
Two Goats, frisking gayly on the
rocky steeps of a mountain valley,
chanced to meet, one on each side of
a deep chasm through which poured
a mighty mountain torrent. The trunk
of a fallen tree formed the only
means of crossing the chasm, and on
this not even two squirrels could
have passed each other in safety. The
narrow path would have made the
bravest tremble. Not so our Goats.
Their pride would not permit either
to stand aside for the other.
One set her foot on the log. The
other did likewise. In the middle
they met horn to horn. Neither would
give way, and so they both fell, to be
swept away by the roaring torrent below.
It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through stubbornness.

THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT
A Merchant, driving his Ass homeward from the seashore with a heavy load of salt,
came to a river crossed by a shallow ford. They had crossed this river many times
before without accident, but this time the Ass slipped and fell when halfway over.
And when the Merchant at last got him to his feet, much of the salt had melted
away. Delighted to find how much lighter his burden had become, the Ass finished
the journey very gayly.
Next day the Merchant went for another load of salt. On the way home the Ass,
remembering what had happened at the ford, purposely let himself fall into the
water, and again got rid of most of his burden.
The angry Merchant immediately turned about and drove the Ass back to the
seashore, where he loaded him with two great baskets of sponges. At the ford the
Ass again tumbled over; but when he had scrambled to his feet, it was a very
disconsolate Ass that dragged himself homeward under a load ten times heavier
than before.
The same measures will not suit all circumstances.

THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT

THE LION AND THE GNAT
"Away with you, vile insect!" said a
Lion angrily to a Gnat that was
buzzing around his head. But the
Gnat was not in the least disturbed.
"Do you think," he said spitefully to
the Lion, "that I am afraid of you
because they call you king?"
The next instant he flew at the Lion
and stung him sharply on the nose.
Mad with rage, the Lion struck
fiercely at the Gnat, but only
succeeded in tearing himself with his
claws. Again and again the Gnat
stung the Lion, who now was roaring
terribly. At last, worn out with rage
and covered with wounds that his
own teeth and claws had made, the
Lion gave up the fight.
The Gnat buzzed away to tell the
whole world about his victory, but
instead he flew straight into a spider's web. And there, he who had defeated the
King of beasts came to a miserable end, the prey of a little spider.
The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared.
Pride over a success should not throw us off our guard.

THE LEAP AT RHODES
A certain man who visited foreign lands could talk of little when he returned to his
home except the wonderful adventures he had met with and the great deeds he had
done abroad.
One of the feats he told about was a leap he had made in a city Called Rhodes. That
leap was so great, he said, that no other man could leap anywhere near the distance.
A great many persons in Rhodes had seen him do it and would prove that what he
told was true.
"No need of witnesses," said one of the hearers. "Suppose this city is Rhodes. Now
show us how far you can jump."
Deeds count, not boasting words.

THE COCK AND THE JEWEL
A Cock was busily scratching and scraping about to find something to eat for
himself and his family, when he happened to turn up a precious jewel that had been
lost by its owner.
"Aha!" said the Cock. "No doubt you are very costly and he who lost you would
give a great deal to find you. But as for me, I would choose a single grain of
barleycorn before all the jewels in the world."
Precious things are without value to those who cannot prize them.

THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL
At a great celebration in honor of
King Lion, the Monkey was asked
to dance for the company. His
dancing was very clever indeed,
and the animals were all highly
pleased with his grace and
lightness.
The praise that was showered on
the Monkey made the Camel
envious. He was very sure that he
could dance quite as well as the
Monkey, if not better, so he pushed
his way into the crowd that was
gathered around the Monkey, and
rising on his hind legs, began to
dance. But the big hulking Camel
made himself very ridiculous as he
kicked out his knotty legs and
twisted his long clumsy neck.
Besides, the animals found it hard
to keep their toes from under his
heavy hoofs.
At last, when one of his huge feet came within an inch of King Lion's nose, the
animals were so disgusted that they set upon the Camel in a rage and drove him out
into the desert.
Shortly afterward, refreshments, consisting mostly of Camel's hump and ribs, were
served to the company.
Do not try to ape your betters.

THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX
A Wild Boar was sharpening his
tusks busily against the stump of a
tree, when a Fox happened by. Now
the Fox was always looking for a
chance to make fun of his
neighbors. So he made a great show
of looking anxiously about, as if in
fear of some hidden enemy. But the
Boar kept right on with his work.
"Why are you doing that?" asked
the Fox at last with a grin. "There
isn't any danger that I can see."
"True enough," replied the Boar,
"but when danger does come there
will not be time for such work as
this. My weapons will have to be ready for use then, or I shall suffer for it."
Preparedness for war is the best guarantee of peace.

THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION
An Ass and a Fox had become close comrades, and were constantly in each other's
company. While the Ass cropped a fresh bit of greens, the Fox would devour a
chicken from the neighboring farmyard or a bit of cheese filched from the dairy.
One day the pair unexpectedly met a Lion. The Ass was very much frightened, but
the Fox calmed his fears.
"I will talk to him," he said.
So the Fox walked boldly up to the Lion.
"Your highness," he said in an undertone, so the Ass could not hear him, "I've got a
fine scheme in my head. If you promise not to hurt me, I will lead that foolish
creature yonder into a pit where he can't get out, and you can feast at your
pleasure."
The Lion agreed and the Fox returned to the Ass.
"I made him promise not to hurt us," said the Fox. "But come, I know a good place
to hide till he is gone."
So the Fox led the Ass into a deep pit. But when the Lion saw that the Ass was his
for the taking, he first of all struck down the traitor Fox.
Traitors may expect treachery.

THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT
The Birds and the Beasts declared war against each other. No compromise was
possible, and so they went at it tooth and claw. It is said the quarrel grew out of the
persecution the race of Geese suffered at the teeth of the Fox family. The Beasts,
too, had cause for fight. The Eagle was constantly pouncing on the Hare, and the
Owl dined daily on Mice.
It was a terrible battle. Many a Hare and many a Mouse died. Chickens and Geese
fell by the score—and the victor always stopped for a feast.
Now the Bat family had not openly joined either side. They were a very politic race.
So when they saw the Birds getting the better of it, they were Birds for all there was
in it. But when the tide of battle turned, they immediately sided with the Beasts.
When the battle was over, the conduct of the Bats was discussed at the peace
conference. Such deceit was unpardonable, and Birds and Beasts made common
cause to drive out the Bats. And since then the Bat family hides in dark towers and
deserted ruins, flying out only in the night.
The deceitful have no friends.

THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX
Just as a great Bear rushed to seize a
stray kid, a Lion leaped from another
direction upon the same prey. The
two fought furiously for the prize
until they had received so many
wounds that both sank down unable
to continue the battle.
Just then a Fox dashed up, and
seizing the kid, made off with it as
fast as he could go, while the Lion
and the Bear looked on in helpless
rage.
"How much better it would have
been," they said, "to have shared in a
friendly spirit."
Those who have all the toil do not
always get the profit.

THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
A
stra
y
Lam
b
stoo
d
drin
king
earl
y
one
mor
ning
on
the
ban
k of
a
woo
dland stream. That very same morning a hungry Wolf came by farther up the
stream, hunting for something to eat. He soon got his eyes on the Lamb. As a rule
Mr. Wolf snapped up such delicious morsels without making any bones about it, but
this Lamb looked so very helpless and innocent that the Wolf felt he ought to have
some kind of an excuse for taking its life.
"How dare you paddle around in my stream and stir up all the mud!" he shouted
fiercely. "You deserve to be punished severely for your rashness!"
"But, your highness," replied the trembling Lamb, "do not be angry! I cannot
possibly muddy the water you are drinking up there. Remember, you are upstream
and I am downstream."
"You do muddy it!" retorted the Wolf savagely. "And besides, I have heard that you
told lies about me last year!"
"How could I have done so?" pleaded the Lamb. "I wasn't born until this year."

"If it wasn't you, it was your brother!"
"I have no brothers."
"Well, then," snarled the Wolf, "It was someone in your family anyway. But no
matter who it was, I do not intend to be talked out of my breakfast."
And without more words the Wolf seized the poor Lamb and carried her off to the
forest.
The tyrant can always find an excuse for his tyranny.
The unjust will not listen to the reasoning of the innocent.

THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP
A Wolf had been hurt in a fight with a Bear. He was unable to move and could not
satisfy his hunger and thirst. A Sheep passed by near his hiding place, and the Wolf
called to him.
"Please fetch me a drink of water," he begged, "that might give me strength enough
so I can get me some solid food."
"Solid food!" said the Sheep. "That means me, I suppose. If I should bring you a
drink, it would only serve to wash me down your throat. Don't talk to me about a
drink!"
A knave's hypocrisy is easily seen through.

THE HARES AND THE FROGS
Hares, as you know, are very timid.
The least shadow, sends them
scurrying in fright to a hiding place.
Once they decided to die rather than
live in such misery. But while they
were debating how best to meet
death, they thought they heard a
noise and in a flash were scampering
off to the warren. On the way they
passed a pond where a family of
Frogs was sitting among the reeds on
the bank. In an instant the startled
Frogs were seeking safety in the
mud.
"Look," cried a Hare, "things are not
so bad after all, for here are creatures
who are even afraid of us!"
However unfortunate we may think we are there is always someone worse off than
ourselves.

THE FOX AND THE STORK
The Fox one day thought of a plan
to amuse himself at the expense of
the Stork, at whose odd appearance
he was always laughing.
"You must come and dine with me
today," he said to the Stork, smiling
to himself at the trick he was going
to play. The Stork gladly accepted
the invitation and arrived in good
time and with a very good appetite.
For dinner the Fox served soup. But
it was set out in a very shallow dish,
and all the Stork could do was to
wet the very tip of his bill. Not a
drop of soup could he get. But the
Fox lapped it up easily, and, to
increase the disappointment of the
Stork, made a great show of
enjoyment.
The hungry Stork was much
displeased at the trick, but he was a
calm, even-tempered fellow and
saw no good in flying into a rage. Instead, not long afterward, he invited the Fox to
dine with him in turn. The Fox arrived promptly at the time that had been set, and
the Stork served a fish dinner that had a very appetizing smell. But it was served in
a tall jar with a very narrow neck. The Stork could easily get at the food with his
long bill, but all the Fox could do was to lick the outside of the jar, and sniff at the
delicious odor. And when the Fox lost his temper, the Stork said calmly:
Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment
yourself.

THE TRAVELERS AND THE SEA
Two Travelers were walking along the seashore. Far out they saw something riding
on the waves.
"Look," said one, "a great ship rides in from distant lands, bearing rich treasures!"
The object they saw came ever nearer the shore.
"No," said the other, "that is not a treasure ship. That is some fisherman's skiff, with
the day's catch of savoury fish."
Still nearer came the object. The waves washed it up on shore.
"It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck," they cried. Both Travelers rushed to
the beach, but there they found nothing but a water-soaked log.
Do not let your hopes carry you away from reality.

THE WOLF AND THE LION
A Wolf had stolen a Lamb and was
carrying it off to his lair to eat it.
But his plans were very much
changed when he met a Lion, who,
without making any excuses, took
the Lamb away from him.
The Wolf made off to a safe
distance, and then said in a much
injured tone:
"You have no right to take my
property like that!"
The Lion looked back, but as the
Wolf was too far away to be taught
a lesson without too much
inconvenience, he said:
"Your property? Did you buy it, or did the Shepherd make you a gift of it? Pray tell
me, how did you get it?"
What is evil won is evil lost.

THE STAG AND HIS REFLECTION
A Stag, drinking from a crystal
spring, saw himself mirrored in the
clear water. He greatly admired the
graceful arch of his antlers, but he
was very much ashamed of his
spindling legs.
"How can it be," he sighed, "that I
should be cursed with such legs
when I have so magnificent a
crown."
At that moment he scented a
panther and in an instant was
bounding away through the forest.
But as he ran his wide-spreading
antlers caught in the branches of the
trees, and soon the Panther overtook
him. Then the Stag perceived that
the legs of which he was so
ashamed would have saved him had
it not been for the useless ornaments on his head.
We often make much of the ornamental and despise the useful.

THE PEACOCK
The Peacock, they say, did not at first have the beautiful feathers in which he now
takes so much pride. These, Juno, whose favorite he was, granted to him one day
when he begged her for a train of feathers to distinguish him from the other birds.
Then, decked in his finery, gleaming with emerald, gold, purple, and azure, he
strutted proudly among the birds. All regarded him with envy. Even the most
beautiful pheasant could see that his beauty was surpassed.
Presently the Peacock saw an Eagle soaring high up in the blue sky and felt a desire
to fly, as he had been accustomed to do. Lifting his wings he tried to rise from the
ground. But the weight of his magnificent train held him down. Instead of flying up
to greet the first rays of the morning sun or to bathe in the rosy light among the
floating clouds at sunset, he would have to walk the ground more encumbered and
oppressed than any common barnyard fowl.
Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show.

THE PEACOCK

THE MICE AND THE WEASELS
The Weasels and the Mice were
always up in arms against each
other. In every battle the Weasels
carried off the victory, as well as a
large number of the Mice, which
they ate for dinner next day. In
despair the Mice called a council,
and there it was decided that the
Mouse army was always beaten
because it had no leaders. So a large
number of generals and
commanders were appointed from
among the most eminent Mice.
To distinguish themselves from the
soldiers in the ranks, the new
leaders proudly bound on their
heads lofty crests and ornaments of
feathers or straw. Then after long
preparation of the Mouse army in all the arts of war, they sent a challenge to the
Weasels.
The Weasels accepted the challenge with eagerness, for they were always ready for
a fight when a meal was in sight. They immediately attacked the Mouse army in
large numbers. Soon the Mouse line gave way before the attack and the whole army
fled for cover. The privates easily slipped into their holes, but the Mouse leaders
could not squeeze through the narrow openings because of their head-dresses. Not
one escaped the teeth of the hungry Weasels.
Greatness has its penalties.

THE WOLF AND THE LEAN DOG
A Wolf prowling near a village one evening met a Dog. It happened to be a very
lean and bony Dog, and Master Wolf would have turned up his nose at such meager
fare had he not been more hungry than usual. So he began to edge toward the Dog,
while the Dog backed away.
"Let me remind your lordship," said the Dog, his words interrupted now and then as
he dodged a snap of the Wolf's teeth, "how unpleasant it would be to eat me now.
Look at my ribs. I am nothing but skin and bone. But let me tell you something in
private. In a few days my master will give a wedding feast for his only daughter.
You can guess how fine and fat I will grow on the scraps from the table. Then is the
time to eat me."
The Wolf could not help thinking how nice it would be to have a fine fat Dog to eat
instead of the scrawny object before him. So he went away pulling in his belt and
promising to return.
Some days later the Wolf came back for the promised feast. He found the Dog in
his master's yard, and asked him to come out and be eaten.
"Sir," said the Dog, with a grin, "I shall be delighted to have you eat me. I'll be out
as soon as the porter opens the door."
But the "porter" was a huge Dog whom the Wolf knew by painful experience to be
very unkind toward wolves. So he decided not to wait and made off as fast as his
legs could carry him.
Do not depend on the promises of those whose interest it is to deceive you.
Take what you can get when you can get it.

THE FOX AND THE LION
A very young Fox, who had never
before seen a Lion, happened to meet
one in the forest. A single look was
enough to send the Fox off at top
speed for the nearest hiding place.
The second time the Fox saw the
Lion he stopped behind a tree to look
at him a moment before slinking
away. But the third time, the Fox
went boldly up to the Lion and,
without turning a hair, said, "Hello,
there, old top."
Familiarity breeds contempt.
Acquaintance with evil blinds us to
its dangers.

THE LION AND THE ASS
A Lion and an Ass agreed to go
hunting together. In their search for
game the hunters saw a number of
Wild Goats run into a cave, and laid
plans to catch them. The Ass was to
go into the cave and drive the Goats
out, while the Lion would stand at
the entrance to strike them down.
The plan worked beautifully. The
Ass made such a frightful din in the
cave, kicking and braying with all
his might, that the Goats came
running out in a panic of fear, only
to fall victim to the Lion.
The Ass came proudly out of the
cave.
"Did you see how I made them run?" he said.
"Yes, indeed," answered the Lion, "and if I had not known you and your kind I
should certainly have run, too."
The loud-mouthed boaster does not impress nor frighten those who know him.

THE DOG AND HIS MASTER'S DINNER
A Dog had learned to carry his master's dinner to him every day. He was very
faithful to his duty, though the smell of the good things in the basket tempted him.
The Dogs in the neighborhood noticed him carrying the basket and soon discovered
what was in it. They made several attempts to steal it from him. But he always
guarded it faithfully.
Then one day all the Dogs in the neighborhood got together and met him on his
way with the basket. The Dog tried to run away from them. But at last he stopped to
argue.
That was his mistake. They soon made him feel so ridiculous that he dropped the
basket and seized a large piece of roast meat intended for his master's dinner.
"Very well," he said, "you divide the rest."
Do not stop to argue with temptation.

THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED
FEATHERS
A Jackdaw chanced to fly over the
garden of the King's palace. There he
saw with much wonder and envy a
flock of royal Peacocks in all the
glory of their splendid plumage.
Now the black Jackdaw was not a
very handsome bird, nor very refined
in manner. Yet he imagined that all
he needed to make himself fit for the
society of the Peacocks was a dress
like theirs. So he picked up some
castoff feathers of the Peacocks and
stuck them among his own black
plumes.
Dressed in his borrowed finery he
strutted loftily among the birds of his
own kind. Then he flew down into
the garden among the Peacocks. But
they soon saw who he was. Angry at
the cheat, they flew at him, plucking
away the borrowed feathers and also
some of his own.
The poor Jackdaw returned sadly to his former companions. There another
unpleasant surprise awaited him. They had not forgotten his superior airs toward
them, and, to punish him, they drove him away with a rain of pecks and jeers.
Borrowed feathers do not make fine birds.

THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN
It happened once upon a time that a
certain Greek ship bound for Athens
was wrecked off the coast close to
Piraeus, the port of Athens. Had it
not been for the Dolphins, who at
that time were very friendly toward
mankind and especially toward
Athenians, all would have perished.
But the Dolphins took the
shipwrecked people on their backs
and swam with them to shore.
Now it was the custom among the
Greeks to take their pet monkeys and
dogs with them whenever they went
on a voyage. So when one of the
Dolphins saw a Monkey struggling in
the water, he thought it was a man,
and made the Monkey climb up on
his back. Then off he swam with him
toward the shore.
The Monkey sat up, grave and
dignified, on the Dolphin's back.
"You are a citizen of illustrious
Athens, are you not?" asked the
Dolphin politely.
"Yes," answered the Monkey,
proudly. "My family is one of the noblest in the city."
"Indeed," said the Dolphin. "Then of course you often visit Piraeus."
"Yes, yes," replied the Monkey. "Indeed, I do. I am with him constantly. Piraeus is
my very best friend."
This answer took the Dolphin by surprise, and, turning his head, he now saw what it
was he was carrying. Without more ado, he dived and left the foolish Monkey to

take care of himself, while he swam off in search of some human being to save.
One falsehood leads to another.

THE WOLF AND THE ASS

An Ass was feeding in a pasture near a wood when he saw a Wolf lurking in the
shadows along the hedge. He easily guessed what the Wolf had in mind, and
thought of a plan to save himself. So he pretended he was lame, and began to
hobble painfully.
When the Wolf came up, he asked the Ass what had made him lame, and the Ass
replied that he had stepped on a sharp thorn.
"Please pull it out," he pleaded, groaning as if in pain. "If you do not, it might stick
in your throat when you eat me."
The Wolf saw the wisdom of the advice, for he wanted to enjoy his meal without
any danger of choking. So the Ass lifted up his foot and the Wolf began to search
very closely and carefully for the thorn.
Just then the Ass kicked out with all his might, tumbling the Wolf a dozen paces
away. And while the Wolf was getting very slowly and painfully to his feet, the Ass
galloped away in safety.

"Serves me right," growled the Wolf as he crept into the bushes. "I'm a butcher by
trade, not a doctor."
Stick to your trade.

THE MONKEY AND THE CAT
Once upon a time a Cat and a
Monkey lived as pets in the same
house. They were great friends and
were constantly in all sorts of
mischief together. What they
seemed to think of more than
anything else was to get something
to eat, and it did not matter much to
them how they got it.
One day they were sitting by the
fire, watching some chestnuts
roasting on the hearth. How to get
them was the question.
"I would gladly get them," said the
cunning Monkey, "but you are much
more skillful at such things than I
am. Pull them out and I'll divide
them between us."
Pussy stretched out her paw very carefully, pushed aside some of the cinders, and
drew back her paw very quickly. Then she tried it again, this time pulling a chestnut
half out of the fire. A third time and she drew out the chestnut. This performance
she went through several times, each time singeing her paw severely. As fast as she
pulled the chestnuts out of the fire, the Monkey ate them up.
Now the master came in, and away scampered the rascals, Mistress Cat with a burnt
paw and no chestnuts. From that time on, they say, she contented herself with mice
and rats and had little to do with Sir Monkey.
The flatterer seeks some benefit at your expense.

THE DOGS AND THE FOX
Some Dogs found the skin of a Lion and furiously began to tear it with their teeth.
A Fox chanced to see them and laughed scornfully.
"If that Lion had been alive," he said, "it would have been a very different story. He
would have made you feel how much sharper his claws are than your teeth."
It is easy and also contemptible to kick a man that is down.

THE DOGS AND THE HIDES
Some hungry Dogs saw a number of
hides at the bottom of a stream
where the Tanner had put them to
soak. A fine hide makes an excellent
meal for a hungry Dog, but the
water was deep and the Dogs could
not reach the hides from the bank.
So they held a council and decided
that the very best thing to do was to
drink up the river.
All fell to lapping up the water as
fast as they could. But though they
drank and drank until, one after
another, all of them had burst with
drinking, still, for all their effort, the
water in the river remained as high
as ever.
Do not try to do impossible things.

THE RABBIT, THE WEASEL, AND THE CAT
A Rabbit left his home one day for a dinner of clover. But he forgot to latch the
door of his house and while he was gone a Weasel walked in and calmly made
himself at home. When the Rabbit returned, there was the Weasel's nose sticking
out of the Rabbit's own doorway, sniffing the fine air.
The Rabbit was quite angry—for a Rabbit—, and requested the Weasel to move
out. But the Weasel was perfectly content. He was settled down for good.
A wise old Cat heard the dispute and offered to settle it.
"Come close to me," said the Cat, "I am very deaf. Put your mouths close to my
ears while you tell me the facts."
The unsuspecting pair did as they were told and in an instant the Cat had them both
under her claws. No one could deny that the dispute had been definitely settled.
The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage.

THE BEAR AND THE BEES
A Bear roaming the woods in
search of berries happened on a
fallen tree in which a swarm of
Bees had stored their honey. The
Bear began to nose around the log
very carefully to find out if the
Bees were at home. Just then one
of the swarm came home from the
clover field with a load of sweets.
Guessing what the Bear was after,
the Bee flew at him, stung him
sharply and then disappeared into
the hollow log.
The Bear lost his temper in an
instant, and sprang upon the log
tooth and claw, to destroy the nest.
But this only brought out the
whole swarm. The poor Bear had
to take to his heels, and he was
able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.
It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying
into a rage.

THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD
A Fox and a Leopard, resting lazily after a generous dinner, amused themselves by
disputing about their good looks. The Leopard was very proud of his glossy, spotted
coat and made disdainful remarks about the Fox, whose appearance he declared was
quite ordinary.
The Fox prided himself on his fine bushy tail with its tip of white, but he was wise
enough to see that he could not rival the Leopard in looks. Still he kept up a flow of
sarcastic talk, just to exercise his wits and to have the fun of disputing. The Leopard
was about to lose his temper when the Fox got up, yawning lazily.
"You may have a very smart coat," he said, "but you would be a great deal better off
if you had a little more smartness inside your head and less on your ribs, the way I
am. That's what I call real beauty."
A fine coat is not always an indication of an attractive mind.

THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD

THE HERON
A Heron was walking sedately
along the bank of a stream, his
eyes on the clear water, and his
long neck and pointed bill ready to
snap up a likely morsel for his
breakfast. The clear water
swarmed with fish, but Master
Heron was hard to please that
morning.
"No small fry for me," he said.
"Such scanty fare is not fit for a
Heron."
Now a fine young Perch swam
near.
"No indeed," said the Heron. "I
wouldn't even trouble to open my
beak for anything like that!"
As the sun rose, the fish left the
shallow water near the shore and
swam below into the cool depths
toward the middle. The Heron saw
no more fish, and very glad was he
at last to breakfast on a tiny Snail.
Do not be too hard to suit or you may have to be content with the worst or with
nothing at all.

THE COCK AND THE FOX
One bright evening as the sun was sinking on a glorious world a wise old Cock flew
into a tree to roost. Before he composed himself to rest, he flapped his wings three
times and crowed loudly. But just as he was about to put his head under his wing,
his beady eyes caught a flash of red and a glimpse of a long pointed nose, and there
just below him stood Master Fox.
"Have you heard the wonderful news?" cried the Fox in a very joyful and excited
manner.
"What news?" asked the Cock very calmly. But he had a queer, fluttery feeling
inside him, for, you know, he was very much afraid of the Fox.
"Your family and mine and all other animals have agreed to forget their differences
and live in peace and friendship from now on forever. Just think of it! I simply
cannot wait to embrace you! Do come down, dear friend, and let us celebrate the
joyful event."
"How grand!" said the Cock. "I certainly am delighted at the news." But he spoke in
an absent way, and stretching up on tiptoes, seemed to be looking at something afar
off.
"What is it you see?" asked the Fox a little anxiously.
"Why, it looks to me like a couple of Dogs coming this way. They must have heard
the good news and—"
But the Fox did not wait to hear more. Off he started on a run.
"Wait," cried the Cock. "Why do you run? The Dogs are friends of yours now!"
"Yes," answered the Fox. "But they might not have heard the news. Besides, I have
a very important errand that I had almost forgotten about."
The Cock smiled as he buried his head in his feathers and went to sleep, for he had
succeeded in outwitting a very crafty enemy.
The trickster is easily tricked.

THE DOG IN THE MANGER
A Dog asleep in a manger filled with
hay, was awakened by the Cattle,
which came in tired and hungry
from working in the field. But the
Dog would not let them get near the
manger, and snarled and snapped as
if it were filled with the best of meat
and bones, all for himself.
The Cattle looked at the Dog in
disgust. "How selfish he is!" said
one. "He cannot eat the hay and yet
he will not let us eat it who are so
hungry for it!"
Now the farmer came in. When he
saw how the Dog was acting, he
seized a stick and drove him out of
the stable with many a blow for his
selfish behavior.
Do not grudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.

THE WOLF AND THE GOAT
A hungry Wolf spied a Goat
browsing at the top of a steep cliff
where he could not possibly get at
her.
"That is a very dangerous place for
you," he called out, pretending to be
very anxious about the Goat's
safety. "What if you should fall!
Please listen to me and come down!
Here you can get all you want of the
finest, tenderest grass in the
country."
The Goat looked over the edge of
the cliff.
"How very, very anxious you are
about me," she said, "and how
generous you are with your grass!
But I know you! It's your own
appetite you are thinking of, not
mine!"
An invitation prompted by
selfishness is not to be accepted.

THE ASS AND THE GRASSHOPPERS
One day as an Ass was walking in the pasture, he found some Grasshoppers
chirping merrily in a grassy corner of the field.
He listened with a great deal of admiration to the song of the Grasshoppers. It was
such a joyful song that his pleasure-loving heart was filled with a wish to sing as
they did.
"What is it?" he asked very respectfully, "that has given you such beautiful voices?
Is there any special food you eat, or is it some divine nectar that makes you sing so
wonderfully?"
"Yes," said the Grasshoppers, who were very fond of a joke; "it is the dew we
drink! Try some and see."
So thereafter the Ass would eat nothing and drink nothing but dew.
Naturally, the poor foolish Ass soon died.
The laws of nature are unchangeable.

THE MULE
A Mule had had a long rest and much good feeding. He was feeling very vigorous
indeed, and pranced around loftily, holding his head high.
"My father certainly was a full-blooded racer," he said. "I can feel that distinctly."
Next day he was put into harness again and that evening he was very downhearted
indeed.
"I was mistaken," he said. "My father was an Ass after all."
Be sure of your pedigree before you boast of it.

A Fox fell into a well, and
though it was not very deep,
he found that he could not get
out again. After he had been
in the well a long time, a
thirsty Goat came by. The
Goat thought the Fox had
gone down to drink, and so he
asked if the water was good.
"The finest in the whole
country," said the crafty Fox,
"jump in and try it. There is
more than enough for both of
us."
The thirsty Goat immediately
jumped in and began to drink.
The Fox just as quickly
jumped on the Goat's back
and leaped from the tip of the
Goat's horns out of the well.
The foolish Goat now saw
what a plight he had got into,
and begged the Fox to help
him out. But the Fox was
already on his way to the
woods.
"If you had as much sense as you have beard, old fellow," he said as he ran,
"you would have been more cautious about finding a way to get out again
before you jumped in."
Look before you leap.

THE CAT, THE COCK, AND THE YOUNG
MOUSE

A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost
came to grief the very first time he ventured out. And this is the story he told
his mother about his adventures.
"I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I turned the corner into
the next yard, I saw two strange creatures. One of them had a very kind and
gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine.
You should have seen him.
"On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of raw red meat. He
walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his

arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he
opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing
roar that frightened me almost to death."
Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was trying to describe to
his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard Cock and the first one the little
Mouse had ever seen.
"If it had not been for that terrible monster," the Mouse went on, "I should
have made the acquaintance of the pretty creature, who looked so good and
gentle. He had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very
modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me he
waved his fine long tail and smiled.
"I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster I have told
you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life."
"My son," said the Mother Mouse, "that gentle creature you saw was none
other than the Cat. Under his kindly appearance, he bears a grudge against
every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird who wouldn't harm you in
the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you
escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their
looks."
Do not trust alone to outward appearances.

THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD
A Wolf had been prowling
around a flock of Sheep for a
long time, and the Shepherd
watched very anxiously to
prevent him from carrying off
a Lamb. But the Wolf did not
try to do any harm. Instead he
seemed to be helping the
Shepherd take care of the
Sheep. At last the Shepherd
got so used to seeing the Wolf
about that he forgot how
wicked he could be.
One day he even went so far
as to leave his flock in the
Wolf's care while he went on
an errand. But when he came
back and saw how many of
the flock had been killed and carried off, he knew how foolish to trust a
Wolf.
Once a wolf, always a wolf.

THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE
A Peacock, puffed up with
vanity, met a Crane one
day, and to impress him
spread his gorgeous tail in
the Sun.
"Look," he said. "What
have you to compare with
this? I am dressed in all the
glory of the rainbow, while
your feathers are gray as
dust!"
The Crane spread his broad
wings and flew up toward
the sun.
"Follow me if you can," he
said. But the Peacock stood
where he was among the
birds of the barnyard, while
the Crane soared in freedom
far up into the blue sky.
The useful is of much more
importance and value, than
the ornamental.

THE FARMER AND THE CRANES
Some Cranes saw a farmer plowing a large field. When the work of plowing
was done, they patiently watched him sow the seed. It was their feast, they
thought.
So, as soon as the Farmer had finished planting and had gone home, down
they flew to the field, and began to eat as fast as they could.
The Farmer, of course, knew the Cranes and their ways. He had had
experience with such birds before. He soon returned to the field with a sling.
But he did not bring any stones with him. He expected to scare the Cranes
just by swinging the sling in the air, and shouting loudly at them.
At first the Cranes flew away in great terror. But they soon began to see that
none of them ever got hurt. They did not even hear the noise of stones
whizzing through the air, and as for words, they would kill nobody. At last
they paid no attention whatever to the Farmer.
The Farmer saw that he would have to take other measures. He wanted to
save at least some of his grain. So he loaded his sling with stones and killed
several of the Cranes. This had the effect the Farmer wanted, for from that
day the Cranes visited his field no more.
Bluff and threatening words are of little value with rascals.
Bluff is no proof that hard fists are lacking.

THE FARMER AND HIS SONS
A rich old farmer, who felt
that he had not many more
days to live, called his sons to
his bedside.
"My sons," he said, "heed
what I have to say to you. Do
not on any account part with
the estate that has belonged to
our family for so many
generations. Somewhere on it
is hidden a rich treasure. I do
not know the exact spot, but it
is there, and you will surely
find it. Spare no energy and
leave no spot unturned in
your search."
The father died, and no
sooner was he in his grave
than the sons set to work
digging with all their might,
turning up every foot of
ground with their spades, and
going over the whole farm
two or three times.
No hidden gold did they find; but at harvest time when they had settled their
accounts and had pocketed a rich profit far greater than that of any of their
neighbors, they understood that the treasure their father had told them about
was the wealth of a bountiful crop, and that in their industry had they found
the treasure.
Industry is itself a treasure.

THE TWO POTS
Two Pots, one of brass and
the other of clay, stood
together on the hearthstone.
One day the Brass Pot
proposed to the Earthen Pot
that they go out into the
world together. But the
Earthen Pot excused
himself, saying that it would
be wiser for him to stay in
the corner by the fire.
"It would take so little to
break me," he said. "You
know how fragile I am. The
least shock is sure to shatter
me!"
"Don't let that keep you at home," urged the Brass Pot. "I shall take very
good care of you. If we should happen to meet anything hard I will step
between and save you."
So the Earthen Pot at last consented, and the two set out side by side, jolting
along on three stubby legs first to this side, then to that, and bumping into
each other at every step.
The Earthen Pot could not survive that sort of companionship very long.
They had not gone ten paces before the Earthen Pot cracked, and at the next
jolt he flew into a thousand pieces.
Equals make the best friends.

THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG
There was once a Countryman who possessed the most wonderful Goose
you can imagine, for every day when he visited the nest, the Goose had laid
a beautiful, glittering, golden egg.
The Countryman took the eggs to market and soon began to get rich. But it
was not long before he grew impatient with the Goose because she gave him
only a single golden egg a day. He was not getting rich fast enough.
Then one day, after he had finished counting his money, the idea came to
him that he could get all the golden eggs at once by killing the Goose and
cutting it open. But when the deed was done, not a single golden egg did he
find, and his precious Goose was dead.
Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.

THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN
EGG

THE FIGHTING BULLS AND THE FROG
Two Bulls were fighting
furiously in a field, at one
side of which was a marsh.
An old Frog living in the
marsh, trembled as he
watched the fierce battle.
"What are you afraid of?"
asked a young Frog.
"Do you not see," replied
the old Frog, "that the Bull
who is beaten, will be
driven away from the good
forage up there to the reeds
of this marsh, and we shall
all be trampled into the
mud?"
It turned out as the Frog
had said. The beaten Bull
was driven to the marsh, where his great hoofs crushed the Frogs to death.
When the great fall out, the weak must suffer for it.

THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL
A little hungry Mouse found his way one day into a basket of corn. He had
to squeeze himself a good deal to get through the narrow opening between
the strips of the basket. But the corn was tempting and the Mouse was
determined to get in. When at last he had succeeded, he gorged himself to
bursting. Indeed he became about three times as big around the middle as he
was when he went in.
At last he felt satisfied and dragged himself to the opening to get out again.
But the best he could do was to get his head out. So there he sat groaning
and moaning, both from the discomfort inside him and his anxiety to escape
from the basket.
Just then a Weasel came by. He understood the situation quickly.
"My friend," he said, "I know what you've been doing. You've been stuffing.
That's what you get. You will have to stay there till you feel just like you did
when you went in. Good night, and good enough for you."
And that was all the sympathy the poor Mouse got.
Greediness leads to misfortune.

THE FARMER AND THE SNAKE
A Farmer walked through his field one cold winter morning. On the ground
lay a Snake, stiff and frozen with the cold. The Farmer knew how deadly the
Snake could be, and yet he picked it up and put it in his bosom to warm it
back to life.
The Snake soon revived, and when it had enough strength, bit the man who
had been so kind to it. The bite was deadly and the Farmer felt that he must
die. As he drew his last breath, he said to those standing around:
Learn from my fate not to take pity on a scoundrel.

THE SICK STAG
A Stag had fallen sick. He had just strength enough to gather some food and
find a quiet clearing in the woods, where he lay down to wait until his
strength should return. The Animals heard about the Stag's illness and came
to ask after his health. Of course, they were all hungry, and helped
themselves freely to the Stag's food; and as you would expect, the Stag soon
starved to death.
Good will is worth nothing unless it is accompanied by good acts.

THE GOATHERD AND THE WILD GOATS
One cold stormy day a
Goatherd drove his Goats
for shelter into a cave,
where a number of Wild
Goats had also found their
way. The Shepherd wanted
to make the Wild Goats part
of his flock; so he fed them
well. But to his own flock,
he gave only just enough
food to keep them alive.
When the weather cleared,
and the Shepherd led the
Goats out to feed, the Wild
Goats scampered off to the
hills.
"Is that the thanks I get for feeding you and treating you so well?"
complained the Shepherd.
"Do not expect us to join your flock," replied one of the Wild Goats. "We
know how you would treat us later on, if some strangers should come as we
did."
It is unwise to treat old friends badly for the sake of new ones.

THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW
A young fellow, who was
very popular among his boon
companions as a good
spender, quickly wasted his
fortune trying to live up to his
reputation. Then one fine day
in early spring he found
himself with not a penny left,
and no property save the
clothes he wore.
He was to meet some jolly
young men that morning, and
he was at his wits' end how to
get enough money to keep up
appearances. Just then a
Swallow flew by, twittering
merrily, and the young man,
thinking summer had come,
hastened off to a clothes
dealer, to whom he sold all
the clothes he wore down to
his very tunic.
A few days later a change in
weather brought a severe
frost; and the poor swallow and that foolish young man in his light tunic, and
with his arms and knees bare, could scarcely keep life in their shivering
bodies.
One swallow does not make a summer.

THE CAT AND THE BIRDS
A Cat was growing very thin. As you have guessed, he did not get enough to
eat. One day he heard that some Birds in the neighborhood were ailing and
needed a doctor. So he put on a pair of spectacles, and with a leather box in
his hand, knocked at the door of the Bird's home.
The Birds peeped out, and Dr. Cat, with much solicitude, asked how they
were. He would be very happy to give them some medicine.
"Tweet, tweet," laughed the Birds. "Very smart, aren't you? We are very well,
thank you, and more so, if you only keep away from here."
Be wise and shun the quack.

THE DOG AND THE OYSTER
There was once a Dog who was very fond of eggs. He visited the hen house
very often and at last got so greedy that he would swallow the eggs whole.
One day the Dog wandered down to the seashore. There he spied an Oyster.
In a twinkling the Oyster was resting in the Dog's stomach, shell and all.
It pained the Dog a good deal, as you can guess.
"I've learned that all round things are not eggs," he said groaning.
Act in haste and repent at leisure—and often in pain.

THE ASTROLOGER
A man who lived a long time
ago believed that he could
read the future in the stars. He
called himself an Astrologer,
and spent his time at night
gazing at the sky.
One evening he was walking
along the open road outside
the village. His eyes were
fixed on the stars. He thought
he saw there that the end of
the world was at hand, when
all at once, down he went into
a hole full of mud and water.
There he stood up to his ears,
in the muddy water, and
madly clawing at the slippery
sides of the hole in his effort to climb out.
His cries for help soon brought the villagers running. As they pulled him out
of the mud, one of them said:
"You pretend to read the future in the stars, and yet you fail to see what is at
your feet! This may teach you to pay more attention to what is right in front
of you, and let the future take care of itself."
"What use is it," said another, "to read the stars, when you can't see what's
right here on the earth?"
Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.

THREE BULLOCKS AND A LION
A Lion had been watching
three Bullocks feeding in an
open field. He had tried to
attack them several times,
but they had kept together,
and helped each other to
drive him off. The Lion had
little hope of eating them, for
he was no match for three
strong Bullocks with their
sharp horns and hoofs. But
he could not keep away from
that field, for it is hard to
resist watching a good meal,
even when there is little
chance of getting it.
Then one day the Bullocks had a quarrel, and when the hungry Lion came to
look at them and lick his chops as he was accustomed to do, he found them
in separate corners of the field, as far away from one another as they could
get.
It was now an easy matter for the Lion to attack them one at a time, and this
he proceeded to do with the greatest satisfaction and relish.
In unity is strength.

MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN
A poor Woodman was cutting
down a tree near the edge of a
deep pool in the forest. It was late
in the day and the Woodman was
tired. He had been working since
sunrise and his strokes were not
so sure as they had been early that
morning. Thus it happened that
the axe slipped and flew out of
his hands into the pool.
The Woodman was in despair.
The axe was all he possessed with
which to make a living, and he
had not money enough to buy a
new one. As he stood wringing
his hands and weeping, the god
Mercury suddenly appeared and
asked what the trouble was. The
Woodman told what had
happened, and straightway the
kind Mercury dived into the pool.
When he came up again he held a
wonderful golden axe.
"Is this your axe?" Mercury asked
the Woodman.
"No," answered the honest Woodman, "that is not my axe."
Mercury laid the golden axe on the bank and sprang back into the pool. This
time he brought up an axe of silver, but the Woodman declared again that his
axe was just an ordinary one with a wooden handle.

Mercury dived down for the third time, and when he came up again he had
the very axe that had been lost.
The poor Woodman was very glad that his axe had been found and could not
thank the kind god enough. Mercury was greatly pleased with the
Woodman's honesty.
"I admire your honesty," he said, "and as a reward you may have all three
axes, the gold and the silver as well as your own."
The happy Woodman returned to his home with his treasures, and soon the
story of his good fortune was known to everybody in the village. Now there
were several Woodmen in the village who believed that they could easily
win the same good fortune. They hurried out into the woods, one here, one
there, and hiding their axes in the bushes, pretended they had lost them.
Then they wept and wailed and called on Mercury to help them.
And indeed, Mercury did appear, first to this one, then to that. To each one
he showed an axe of gold, and each one eagerly claimed it to be the one he
had lost. But Mercury did not give them the golden axe. Oh no! Instead he
gave them each a hard whack over the head with it and sent them home. And
when they returned next day to look for their own axes, they were nowhere
to be found.
Honesty is the best policy.

THE FROG AND THE MOUSE
A young Mouse in search of
adventure was running along
the bank of a pond where
lived a Frog. When the Frog
saw the Mouse, he swam to
the bank and croaked:
"Won't you pay me a visit? I
can promise you a good time
if you do."
The Mouse did not need
much coaxing, for he was
very anxious to see the
world and everything in it.
But though he could swim a
little, he did not dare risk
going into the pond without
some help.
The Frog had a plan. He tied
the Mouse's leg to his own
with a tough reed. Then into
the pond he jumped, dragging his foolish companion with him.
The Mouse soon had enough of it and wanted to return to shore; but the
treacherous Frog had other plans. He pulled the Mouse down under the
water and drowned him. But before he could untie the reed that bound him
to the dead Mouse, a Hawk came sailing over the pond. Seeing the body of
the Mouse floating on the water, the Hawk swooped down, seized the Mouse
and carried it off, with the Frog dangling from its leg. Thus at one swoop he
had caught both meat and fish for his dinner.

Those who seek to harm others often come to harm themselves through their
own deceit.

THE FOX AND THE CRAB
A Crab one day grew disgusted with the sands in which he lived. He decided
to take a stroll to the meadow not far inland. There he would find better fare
than briny water and sand mites. So off he crawled to the meadow. But there
a hungry Fox spied him, and in a twinkling, ate him up, both shell and claw.
Be content with your lot.

THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE
A Serpent had succeeded in surprising an Eagle and had wrapped himself
around the Eagle's neck. The Eagle could not reach the Serpent, neither with
beak nor claws. Far into the sky he soared trying to shake off his enemy. But
the Serpent's hold only tightened, and slowly the Eagle sank back to earth,
gasping for breath.
A Countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity for the noble
Eagle he rushed up and soon had loosened the coiling Serpent and freed the
Eagle.
The Serpent was furious. He had no chance to bite the watchful Countryman.
Instead he struck at the drinking horn, hanging at the Countryman's belt, and
into it let fly the poison of his fangs.
The Countryman now went on toward home. Becoming thirsty on the way,
he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to drink. There was a sudden
rush of great wings. Sweeping down, the Eagle seized the poisoned horn
from out his savior's hands, and flew away with it to hide it where it could
never be found.
An act of kindness is well repaid.

THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
A certain Wolf could not get
enough to eat because of the
watchfulness of the
Shepherds. But one night he
found a sheep skin that had
been cast aside and forgotten.
The next day, dressed in the
skin, the Wolf strolled into the
pasture with the Sheep. Soon
a little Lamb was following
him about and was quickly
led away to slaughter.
That evening the Wolf entered
the fold with the flock. But it
happened that the Shepherd
took a fancy for mutton broth
that very evening, and,
picking up a knife, went to
the fold. There the first he laid hands on and killed was the Wolf.
The evil doer often comes to harm through his own deceit.

THE BULL AND THE GOAT
A Bull once escaped from a
Lion by entering a cave
which the Goatherds used to
house their flocks in stormy
weather and at night. It
happened that one of the
Goats had been left behind,
and the Bull had no sooner
got inside than this Goat
lowered his head and made a
rush at him, butting him with
his horns. As the Lion was
still prowling outside the
entrance to the cave, the Bull
had to submit to the insult.
"Do not think," he said, "that
I submit to your cowardly
treatment because I am
afraid of you. When that
Lion leaves, I'll teach you a
lesson you won't forget."
It is wicked to take advantage of another's distress.

THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE
A Beetle once begged the Eagle to spare a Hare which had run to her for
protection. But the Eagle pounced upon her prey, the sweep of her great
wings tumbling the Beetle a dozen feet away. Furious at the disrespect
shown her, the Beetle flew to the Eagle's nest and rolled out the eggs. Not
one did she spare. The Eagle's grief and anger knew no bounds, but who had
done the cruel deed she did not know.
Next year the Eagle built her nest far up on a mountain crag; but the Beetle
found it and again destroyed the eggs. In despair the Eagle now implored
great Jupiter to let her place her eggs in his lap. There none would dare harm
them. But the Beetle buzzed about Jupiter's head, and made him rise to drive
her away; and the eggs rolled from his lap.
Now the Beetle told the reason for her action, and Jupiter had to
acknowledge the justice of her cause. And they say that ever after, while the
Eagle's eggs lie in the nest in spring, the Beetle still sleeps in the ground. For
so Jupiter commanded.
Even the weakest may find means to avenge a wrong.

THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE

THE OLD LION AND THE FOX
An old Lion, whose teeth
and claws were so worn
that it was not so easy for
him to get food as in his
younger days, pretended
that he was sick. He took
care to let all his neighbors
know about it, and then lay
down in his cave to wait for
visitors. And when they
came to offer him their
sympathy, he ate them up
one by one.
The Fox came too, but he
was very cautious about it.
Standing at a safe distance
from the cave, he inquired
politely after the Lion's
health. The Lion replied
that he was very ill indeed,
and asked the Fox to step in
for a moment. But Master Fox very wisely stayed outside, thanking the Lion
very kindly for the invitation.
"I should be glad to do as you ask," he added, "but I have noticed that there
are many footprints leading into your cave and none coming out. Pray tell
me, how do your visitors find their way out again?"
Take warning from the misfortunes of others.

THE MAN AND THE LION
A Lion and a Man chanced to travel in company through the forest. They
soon began to quarrel, for each of them boasted that he and his kind were far
superior to the other both in strength and mind.
Now they reached a clearing in the forest and there stood a statue. It was a
representation of Heracles in the act of tearing the jaws of the Nemean Lion.
"See," said the man, "that's how strong we are! The King of Beasts is like
wax in our hands!"
"Ho!" laughed the Lion, "a Man made that statue. It would have been quite a
different scene had a Lion made it!"
It all depends on the point of view, and who tells the story.

THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG
There was once an Ass whose
Master also owned a Lap
Dog. This Dog was a favorite
and received many a pat and
kind word from his Master, as
well as choice bits from his
plate. Every day the Dog
would run to meet the Master,
frisking playfully about and
leaping up to lick his hands
and face.
All this the Ass saw with
much discontent. Though he
was well fed, he had much
work to do; besides, the
Master hardly ever took any
notice of him.
Now the jealous Ass got it
into his silly head that all he
had to do to win his Master's
favor was to act like the Dog.
So one day he left his stable
and clattered eagerly into the house.
Finding his Master seated at the dinner table, he kicked up his heels and,
with a loud bray, pranced giddily around the table, upsetting it as he did so.
Then he planted his forefeet on his Master's knees and rolled out his tongue
to lick the Master's face, as he had seen the Dog do. But his weight upset the
chair, and Ass and man rolled over together in the pile of broken dishes from
the table.

The Master was much alarmed at the strange behavior of the Ass, and calling
for help, soon attracted the attention of the servants. When they saw the
danger the Master was in from the clumsy beast, they set upon the Ass and
drove him with kicks and blows back to the stable. There they left him to
mourn the foolishness that had brought him nothing but a sound beating.
Behavior that is regarded as agreeable in one is very rude and impertinent
in another.
Do not try to gain favor by acting in a way that is contrary to your own
nature and character.

THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL
A Milkmaid had been out to
milk the cows and was
returning from the field with
the shining milk pail
balanced nicely on her head.
As she walked along, her
pretty head was busy with
plans for the days to come.
"This good, rich milk," she
mused, "will give me plenty
of cream to churn. The
butter I make I will take to
market, and with the money
I get for it I will buy a lot of
eggs for hatching. How nice
it will be when they are all
hatched and the yard is full
of fine young chicks. Then
when May day comes I will
sell them, and with the
money I'll buy a lovely new
dress to wear to the fair. All
the young men will look at
me. They will come and try
to make love to me,—but I
shall very quickly send them about their business!"
As she thought of how she would settle that matter, she tossed her head
scornfully, and down fell the pail of milk to the ground. And all the milk
flowed out, and with it vanished butter and eggs and chicks and new dress
and all the milkmaid's pride.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD
A Wolf, lurking near the Shepherd's hut, saw the Shepherd and his family
feasting on a roasted lamb.
"Aha!" he muttered. "What a great shouting and running about there would
have been, had they caught me at just the very thing they are doing with so
much enjoyment!"
Men often condemn others for what they see no wrong in doing themselves.

THE GOATHERD AND THE GOAT
A Goat strayed away from the flock, tempted by a patch of clover. The
Goatherd tried to call it back, but in vain. It would not obey him. Then he
picked up a stone and threw it, breaking the Goat's horn.
The Goatherd was frightened.
"Do not tell the master," he begged the Goat.
"No," said the Goat, "that broken horn can speak for itself!"
Wicked deeds will not stay hid.

THE MISER
A Miser had buried his gold in
a secret place in his garden.
Every day he went to the spot,
dug up the treasure and
counted it piece by piece to
make sure it was all there. He
made so many trips that a
Thief, who had been
observing him, guessed what
it was the Miser had hidden,
and one night quietly dug up
the treasure and made off with
it.
When the Miser discovered
his loss, he was overcome
with grief and despair. He
groaned and cried and tore his
hair.
A passerby heard his cries and
asked what had happened.
"My gold! O my gold!" cried the Miser, wildly, "someone has robbed me!"
"Your gold! There in that hole? Why did you put it there? Why did you not
keep it in the house where you could easily get it when you had to buy
things?"
"Buy!" screamed the Miser angrily. "Why, I never touched the gold. I
couldn't think of spending any of it."
The stranger picked up a large stone and threw it into the hole.

"If that is the case," he said, "cover up that stone. It is worth just as much to
you as the treasure you lost!"
A possession is worth no more than the use we make of it.

THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG

There was once a Wolf who got very little to eat because the Dogs of the
village were so wide awake and watchful. He was really nothing but skin
and bones, and it made him very downhearted to think of it.
One night this Wolf happened to fall in with a fine fat House Dog who had
wandered a little too far from home. The Wolf would gladly have eaten him
then and there, but the House Dog looked strong enough to leave his marks
should he try it. So the Wolf spoke very humbly to the Dog, complimenting
him on his fine appearance.
"You can be as well-fed as I am if you want to," replied the Dog. "Leave the
woods; there you live miserably. Why, you have to fight hard for every bite
you get. Follow my example and you will get along beautifully."

"What must I do?" asked the Wolf.
"Hardly anything," answered the House Dog. "Chase people who carry
canes, bark at beggars, and fawn on the people of the house. In return you
will get tidbits of every kind, chicken bones, choice bits of meat, sugar, cake,
and much more beside, not to speak of kind words and caresses."
The Wolf had such a beautiful vision of his coming happiness that he almost
wept. But just then he noticed that the hair on the Dog's neck was worn and
the skin was chafed.
"What is that on your neck?"
"Nothing at all," replied the Dog.
"What! nothing!"
"Oh, just a trifle!"
"But please tell me."
"Perhaps you see the mark of the collar to which my chain is fastened."
"What! A chain!" cried the Wolf. "Don't you go wherever you please?"
"Not always! But what's the difference?" replied the Dog.
"All the difference in the world! I don't care a rap for your feasts and I
wouldn't take all the tender young lambs in the world at that price." And
away ran the Wolf to the woods.
There is nothing worth so much as liberty.

THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG
A Fox, swimming across a
river, was barely able to
reach the bank, where he lay
bruised and exhausted from
his struggle with the swift
current. Soon a swarm of
blood-sucking flies settled
on him; but he lay quietly,
still too weak to run away
from them.
A Hedgehog happened by.
"Let me drive the flies
away," he said kindly.
"No, no!" exclaimed the Fox,
"do not disturb them! They
have taken all they can hold.
If you drive them away,
another greedy swarm will
come and take the little blood I have left."
Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk a greater in removing it.

THE BAT AND THE WEASELS
A Bat blundered into the nest
of a Weasel, who ran up to
catch and eat him. The Bat
begged for his life, but the
Weasel would not listen.
"You are a Mouse," he said,
"and I am a sworn enemy of
Mice. Every Mouse I catch, I
am going to eat!"
"But I am not a Mouse!"
cried the Bat. "Look at my
wings. Can Mice fly? Why, I
am only a Bird! Please let
me go!"
The Weasel had to admit that
the Bat was not a Mouse, so
he let him go. But a few days
later, the foolish Bat went
blindly into the nest of
another Weasel. This Weasel happened to be a bitter enemy of Birds, and he
soon had the Bat under his claws, ready to eat him.
"You are a Bird," he said, "and I am going to eat you!"
"What," cried the Bat, "I, a Bird! Why, all Birds have feathers! I am nothing
but a Mouse. 'Down with all Cats,' is my motto!"
And so the Bat escaped with his life a second time.
Set your sails with the wind.

THE QUACK TOAD
An old Toad once informed all his neighbors that he was a learned doctor. In
fact he could cure anything. The Fox heard the news and hurried to see the
Toad. He looked the Toad over very carefully.
"Mr. Toad," he said, "I've been told that you cure anything! But just take a
look at yourself, and then try some of your own medicine. If you can cure
yourself of that blotchy skin and that rheumatic gait, someone might believe
you. Otherwise, I should advise you to try some other profession."
Those who would mend others, should first mend themselves.

THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL
A Fox that had been caught in
a trap, succeeded at last, after
much painful tugging, in
getting away. But he had to
leave his beautiful bushy tail
behind him.
For a long time he kept away
from the other Foxes, for he
knew well enough that they
would all make fun of him and
crack jokes and laugh behind
his back. But it was hard for
him to live alone, and at last
he thought of a plan that
would perhaps help him out of
his trouble.
He called a meeting of all the
Foxes, saying that he had
something of great importance
to tell the tribe.
When they were all gathered
together, the Fox Without a
Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to
harm because of their tails.
This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in
the hedge. That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the
weight of his brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt
Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With
such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox,
he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.

When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling:
"Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your
answer."
When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of
jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to
persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.
Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you to his own level.

THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
There was once a Dog who
was so ill-natured and
mischievous that his Master
had to fasten a heavy
wooden clog about his neck
to keep him from annoying
visitors and neighbors. But
the Dog seemed to be very
proud of the clog and
dragged it about noisily as
if he wished to attract
everybody's attention. He
was not able to impress
anyone.
"You would be wiser," said
an old acquaintance, "to
keep quietly out of sight
with that clog. Do you want
everybody to know what a
disgraceful and ill-natured
Dog you are?"
Notoriety is not fame.

THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY
A Butterfly once fell in love with a beautiful Rose. The Rose was not
indifferent, for the Butterfly's wings were powdered in a charming pattern of
gold and silver. And so, when he fluttered near and told how he loved her,
she blushed rosily and said yes. After much pretty love-making and many
whispered vows of constancy, the Butterfly took a tender leave of his
sweetheart.
But alas! It was a long time before he came back to her.
"Is this your constancy?" she exclaimed tearfully. "It is ages since you went
away, and all the time, you have been carrying on with all sorts of flowers. I
saw you kiss Miss Geranium, and you fluttered around Miss Mignonette
until Honey Bee chased you away. I wish he had stung you!"
"Constancy!" laughed the Butterfly. "I had no sooner left you than I saw
Zephyr kissing you. You carried on scandalously with Mr. Bumble Bee and
you made eyes at every single Bug you could see. You can't expect any
constancy from me!"
Do not expect constancy in others if you have none yourself.

THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY

THE CAT AND THE FOX
Once a Cat and a Fox were
traveling together. As they
went along, picking up
provisions on the way—a
stray mouse here, a fat
chicken there—they began
an argument to while away
the time between bites.
And, as usually happens
when comrades argue, the
talk began to get personal.
"You think you are
extremely clever, don't
you?" said the Fox. "Do
you pretend to know more
than I? Why, I know a
whole sackful of tricks!"
"Well," retorted the Cat, "I
admit I know one trick
only, but that one, let me
tell you, is worth a
thousand of yours!"
Just then, close by, they
heard a hunter's horn and the yelping of a pack of hounds. In an instant the
Cat was up a tree, hiding among the leaves.
"This is my trick," he called to the Fox. "Now let me see what yours are
worth."
But the Fox had so many plans for escape he could not decide which one to
try first. He dodged here and there with the hounds at his heels. He doubled

on his tracks, he ran at top speed, he entered a dozen burrows,—but all in
vain. The hounds caught him, and soon put an end to the boaster and all his
tricks.
Common sense is always worth more than cunning.

THE BOY AND THE NETTLE
A Boy, stung by a Nettle, ran home crying, to get his mother to blow on the
hurt and kiss it.
"Son," said the Boy's mother, when she had comforted him, "the next time
you come near a Nettle, grasp it firmly, and it will be as soft as silk."
Whatever you do, do with all your might.

THE OLD LION
A Lion had grown very old. His teeth were worn away. His limbs could no
longer bear him, and the King of Beasts was very pitiful indeed as he lay
gasping on the ground, about to die.
Where now his strength and his former graceful beauty?
Now a Boar spied him, and rushing at him, gored him with his yellow tusk.
A Bull trampled him with his heavy hoofs. Even a contemptible Ass let fly
his heels and brayed his insults in the face of the Lion.
It is cowardly to attack the defenseless, though he be an enemy.

THE FOX AND THE PHEASANTS
One moonlight evening as
Master Fox was taking his
usual stroll in the woods, he
saw a number of Pheasants
perched quite out of his
reach on a limb of a tall old
tree. The sly Fox soon
found a bright patch of
moonlight, where the
Pheasants could see him
clearly; there he raised
himself up on his hind legs,
and began a wild dance.
First he whirled 'round and
'round like a top, then he
hopped up and down,
cutting all sorts of strange
capers. The Pheasants
stared giddily. They hardly
dared blink for fear of
losing him out of their sight
a single instant.
Now the Fox made as if to climb a tree, now he fell over and lay still,
playing dead, and the next instant he was hopping on all fours, his back in
the air, and his bushy tail shaking so that it seemed to throw out silver sparks
in the moonlight.
By this time the poor birds' heads were in a whirl. And when the Fox began
his performance all over again, so dazed did they become, that they lost their
hold on the limb, and fell down one by one to the Fox.
Too much attention to danger may cause us to fall victims to it.

TWO TRAVELERS AND A BEAR

Two Men were traveling in company through a forest, when, all at once, a
huge Bear crashed out of the brush near them.
One of the Men, thinking of his own safety, climbed a tree.
The other, unable to fight the savage beast alone, threw himself on the
ground and lay still, as if he were dead. He had heard that a Bear will not
touch a dead body.
It must have been true, for the Bear snuffed at the Man's head awhile, and
then, seeming to be satisfied that he was dead, walked away.
The Man in the tree climbed down.

"It looked just as if that Bear whispered in your ear," he said. "What did he
tell you?"
"He said," answered the other, "that it was not at all wise to keep company
with a fellow who would desert his friend in a moment of danger."
Misfortune is the test of true friendship.

THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES
A Porcupine was looking for a good home. At last he found a little sheltered
cave, where lived a family of Snakes. He asked them to let him share the
cave with them, and the Snakes kindly consented.
The Snakes soon wished they had not given him permission to stay. His
sharp quills pricked them at every turn, and at last they politely asked him to
leave.
"I am very well satisfied, thank you," said the Porcupine. "I intend to stay
right here." And with that, he politely escorted the Snakes out of doors. And
to save their skins, the Snakes had to look for another home.
Give a finger and lose a hand.

THE FOX AND THE MONKEY
At a great meeting of the
Animals, who had gathered
to elect a new ruler, the
Monkey was asked to dance.
This he did so well, with a
thousand funny capers and
grimaces, that the Animals
were carried entirely off
their feet with enthusiasm,
and then and there, elected
him their king.
The Fox did not vote for the
Monkey and was much
disgusted with the Animals
for electing so unworthy a
ruler.
One day he found a trap with a bit of meat in it. Hurrying to King Monkey,
he told him he had found a rich treasure, which he had not touched because
it belonged by right to his majesty the Monkey.
The greedy Monkey followed the Fox to the trap. As soon as he saw the
meat he grasped eagerly for it, only to find himself held fast in the trap. The
Fox stood off and laughed.
"You pretend to be our king," he said, "and cannot even take care of
yourself!"
Shortly after that, another election among the Animals was held.
The true leader proves himself by his qualities.

THE MOTHER AND THE WOLF
Early one morning a hungry
Wolf was prowling around a
cottage at the edge of a
village, when he heard a
child crying in the house.
Then he heard the Mother's
voice say:
"Hush, child, hush! Stop
your crying, or I will give
you to the Wolf!"
Surprised but delighted at
the prospect of so delicious
a meal, the Wolf settled
down under an open
window, expecting every
moment to have the child
handed out to him. But
though the little one
continued to fret, the Wolf
waited all day in vain.
Then, toward nightfall, he heard the Mother's voice again as she sat down
near the window to sing and rock her baby to sleep.
"There, child, there! The Wolf shall not get you. No, no! Daddy is watching
and Daddy will kill him if he should come near!"
Just then the Father came within sight of the home, and the Wolf was barely
able to save himself from the Dogs by a clever bit of running.
Do not believe everything you hear.

THE FLIES AND THE HONEY
A jar of honey was upset and the sticky sweetness flowed out on the table.
The sweet smell of the honey soon brought a large number of Flies buzzing
around. They did not wait for an invitation. No, indeed; they settled right
down, feet and all, to gorge themselves. The Flies were quickly smeared
from head to foot with honey. Their wings stuck together. They could not
pull their feet out of the sticky mass. And so they died, giving their lives for
the sake of a taste of sweetness.
Be not greedy for a little passing pleasure. It may destroy you.

THE EAGLE AND THE KITE
An Eagle sat high in the branches of a great Oak. She seemed very sad and
drooping for an Eagle. A Kite saw her.
"Why do you look so woebegone?" asked the Kite.
"I want to get married," replied the Eagle, "and I can't find a mate who can
provide for me as I should like."
"Take me," said the Kite; "I am very strong, stronger even than you!"
"Do you really think you can provide for me?" asked the Eagle eagerly.
"Why, of course," replied the Kite. "That would be a very simple matter. I
am so strong I can carry away an Ostrich in my talons as if it were a
feather!"
The Eagle accepted the Kite immediately. But after the wedding, when the
Kite flew away to find something to eat for his bride, all he had when he
returned, was a tiny Mouse.
"Is that the Ostrich you talked about?" said the Eagle in disgust.
"To win you I would have said and promised anything," replied the Kite.
Everything is fair in love.

THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF
One day a Stag came to a
Sheep and asked her to lend
him a measure of wheat. The
Sheep knew him for a very
swift runner, who could
easily take himself out of
reach, were he so inclined. So
she asked him if he knew
someone who would answer
for him.
"Yes, yes," answered the Stag
confidently, "the Wolf has
promised to be my surety."
"The Wolf!" exclaimed the
Sheep indignantly. "Do you think I would trust you on such security? I know
the Wolf! He takes what he wants and runs off with it without paying. As for
you, you can use your legs so well that I should have little chance of
collecting the debt if I had to catch you for it!"
Two blacks do not make a white.

THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE
Once upon a time a severe
plague raged among the
animals. Many died, and
those who lived were so ill,
that they cared for neither
food nor drink, and dragged
themselves about listlessly.
No longer could a fat young
hen tempt Master Fox to
dinner, nor a tender lamb
rouse greedy Sir Wolf's
appetite.
At last the Lion decided to
call a council. When all the
animals were gathered
together he arose and said:
"Dear friends, I believe the
gods have sent this plague
upon us as a punishment for
our sins. Therefore, the most guilty one of us must be offered in sacrifice.
Perhaps we may thus obtain forgiveness and cure for all.
"I will confess all my sins first. I admit that I have been very greedy and
have devoured many sheep. They had done me no harm. I have eaten goats
and bulls and stags. To tell the truth, I even ate up a shepherd now and then.
"Now, if I am the most guilty, I am ready to be sacrificed. But I think it best
that each one confess his sins as I have done. Then we can decide in all
justice who is the most guilty."
"Your majesty," said the Fox, "you are too good. Can it be a crime to eat
sheep, such stupid mutton heads? No, no, your majesty. You have done them

great honor by eating them up.
"And so far as shepherds are concerned, we all know they belong to that
puny race that pretends to be our masters."
All the animals applauded the Fox loudly. Then, though the Tiger, the Bear,
the Wolf, and all the savage beasts recited the most wicked deeds, all were
excused and made to appear very saint-like and innocent.
It was now the Ass's turn to confess.
"I remember," he said guiltily, "that one day as I was passing a field
belonging to some priests, I was so tempted by the tender grass and my
hunger, that I could not resist nibbling a bit of it. I had no right to do it, I
admit—"
A great uproar among the beasts interrupted him. Here was the culprit who
had brought misfortune on all of them! What a horrible crime it was to eat
grass that belonged to someone else! It was enough to hang anyone for,
much more an Ass.
Immediately they all fell upon him, the Wolf in the lead, and soon had made
an end to him, sacrificing him to the gods then and there, and without the
formality of an altar.
The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful.

THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION
A Shepherd, counting his
Sheep one day, discovered
that a number of them were
missing.
Much irritated, he very loudly
and boastfully declared that
he would catch the thief and
punish him as he deserved.
The Shepherd suspected a
Wolf of the deed and so set
out toward a rocky region
among the hills, where there
were caves infested by
Wolves. But before starting
out he made a vow to Jupiter
that if he would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a
sacrifice.
The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves, but just as
he was passing near a large cave on the mountain side, a huge Lion stalked
out, carrying a Sheep. In great terror the Shepherd fell on his knees.
"Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find the thief I offered
to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a full-grown Bull, if you but make
the thief go away!"
We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have found it.
Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they were granted.

THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION
A Dog, to whom the butcher
had thrown a bone, was
hurrying home with his
prize as fast as he could go.
As he crossed a narrow
footbridge, he happened to
look down and saw himself
reflected in the quiet water
as if in a mirror. But the
greedy Dog thought he saw
a real Dog carrying a bone
much bigger than his own.
If he had stopped to think he
would have known better.
But instead of thinking, he
dropped his bone and
sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to
reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly
thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he
had been.
It is very foolish to be greedy.

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run
you a race and prove it."
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise,
but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act
as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very
deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down
beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time,
passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very
peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal.
The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in
time.
The race is not always to the swift.

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

THE BEES AND WASPS, AND THE HORNET
A store of honey had been
found in a hollow tree, and
the Wasps declared
positively that it belonged
to them. The Bees were just
as sure that the treasure was
theirs. The argument grew
very pointed, and it looked
as if the affair could not be
settled without a battle,
when at last, with much
good sense, they agreed to
let a judge decide the
matter. So they brought the
case before the Hornet,
justice of the peace in that
part of the woods.
When the Judge called the
case, witnesses declared
that they had seen certain
winged creatures in the
neighborhood of the hollow
tree, who hummed loudly, and whose bodies were striped, yellow and black,
like Bees.
Counsel for the Wasps immediately insisted that this description fitted his
clients exactly.
Such evidence did not help Judge Hornet to any decision, so he adjourned
court for six weeks to give him time to think it over. When the case came up
again, both sides had a large number of witnesses. An Ant was first to take
the stand, and was about to be cross-examined, when a wise old Bee
addressed the Court.

"Your honor," he said, "the case has now been pending for six weeks. If it is
not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for anything. I move that the Bees
and the Wasps be both instructed to build a honey comb. Then we shall soon
see to whom the honey really belongs."
The Wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly understood why
they did so: They knew they could not build a honey comb and fill it with
honey.
"It is clear," said the Judge, "who made the comb and who could not have
made it. The honey belongs to the Bees."
Ability proves itself by deeds.

THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES
A Lark made her nest in a
field of young wheat. As the
days passed, the wheat stalks
grew tall and the young birds,
too, grew in strength. Then
one day, when the ripe golden
grain waved in the breeze, the
Farmer and his son came into
the field.
"This wheat is now ready for
reaping," said the Farmer.
"We must call in our
neighbors and friends to help
us harvest it."
The young Larks in their nest
close by were much
frightened, for they knew they
would be in great danger if
they did not leave the nest
before the reapers came.
When the Mother Lark
returned with food for them,
they told her what they had heard.
"Do not be frightened, children," said the Mother Lark. "If the Farmer said
he would call in his neighbors and friends to help him do his work, this
wheat will not be reaped for a while yet."
A few days later, the wheat was so ripe, that when the wind shook the stalks,
a hail of wheat grains came rustling down on the young Larks' heads.

"If this wheat is not harvested at once," said the Farmer, "we shall lose half
the crop. We cannot wait any longer for help from our friends. Tomorrow we
must set to work, ourselves."
When the young Larks told their mother what they had heard that day, she
said:
"Then we must be off at once. When a man decides to do his own work and
not depend on any one else, then you may be sure there will be no more
delay."
There was much fluttering and trying out of wings that afternoon, and at
sunrise next day, when the Farmer and his son cut down the grain, they
found an empty nest.
Self-help is the best help.

THE CAT AND THE OLD RAT
There was once a Cat who
was so watchful, that a
Mouse hardly dared show
the tip of his whiskers for
fear of being eaten alive.
That Cat seemed to be
everywhere at once with his
claws all ready for a
pounce. At last the Mice
kept so closely to their
dens, that the Cat saw he
would have to use his wits
well to catch one. So one
day he climbed up on a
shelf and hung from it,
head downward, as if he
were dead, holding himself
up by clinging to some
ropes with one paw.
When the Mice peeped out
and saw him in that
position, they thought he had been hung up there in punishment for some
misdeed. Very timidly at first they stuck out their heads and sniffed about
carefully. But as nothing stirred, all trooped joyfully out to celebrate the
death of the Cat.
Just then the Cat let go his hold, and before the Mice recovered from their
surprise, he had made an end of three or four.
Now the Mice kept more strictly at home than ever. But the Cat, who was
still hungry for Mice, knew more tricks than one. Rolling himself in flour
until he was covered completely, he lay down in the flour bin, with one eye
open for the Mice.

Sure enough, the Mice soon began to come out. To the Cat it was almost as
if he already had a plump young Mouse under his claws, when an old Rat,
who had had much experience with Cats and traps, and had even lost a part
of his tail to pay for it, sat up at a safe distance from a hole in the wall where
he lived.
"Take care!" he cried. "That may be a heap of meal, but it looks to me very
much like the Cat. Whatever it is, it is wisest to keep at a safe distance."
The wise do not let themselves be tricked a second time.

THE FOX AND THE CROW
One bright morning as the
Fox was following his sharp
nose through the wood in
search of a bite to eat, he saw
a Crow on the limb of a tree
overhead. This was by no
means the first Crow the Fox
had ever seen. What caught
his attention this time and
made him stop for a second
look, was that the lucky
Crow held a bit of cheese in
her beak.
"No need to search any
farther," thought sly Master
Fox. "Here is a dainty bite
for my breakfast."
Up he trotted to the foot of
the tree in which the Crow
was sitting, and looking up
admiringly, he cried, "Good-
morning, beautiful creature!"
The Crow, her head cocked
on one side, watched the Fox suspiciously. But she kept her beak tightly
closed on the cheese and did not return his greeting.
"What a charming creature she is!" said the Fox. "How her feathers shine!
What a beautiful form and what splendid wings! Such a wonderful Bird
should have a very lovely voice, since everything else about her is so
perfect. Could she sing just one song, I know I should hail her Queen of
Birds."

Listening to these flattering words, the Crow forgot all her suspicion, and
also her breakfast. She wanted very much to be called Queen of Birds.
So she opened her beak wide to utter her loudest caw, and down fell the
cheese straight into the Fox's open mouth.
"Thank you," said Master Fox sweetly, as he walked off. "Though it is
cracked, you have a voice sure enough. But where are your wits?"
The flatterer lives at the expense of those who will listen to him.

THE ASS AND ITS SHADOW
A Traveler had hired an
Ass to carry him to a
distant part of the country.
The owner of the Ass went
with the Traveler, walking
beside him to drive the Ass
and point out the way.
The road led across a
treeless plain where the
Sun beat down fiercely. So
intense did the heat
become, that the Traveler
at last decided to stop for a
rest, and as there was no
other shade to be found,
the Traveler sat down in
the shadow of the Ass.
Now the heat had affected
the Driver as much as it
had the Traveler, and even more, for he had been walking. Wishing also to
rest in the shade cast by the Ass, he began to quarrel with the Traveler,
saying he had hired the Ass and not the shadow it cast.
The two soon came to blows, and while they were fighting, the Ass took to
its heels.
In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance.

THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS
One day, a long time ago,
an old Miller and his Son
were on their way to
market with an Ass which
they hoped to sell. They
drove him very slowly, for
they thought they would
have a better chance to sell
him if they kept him in
good condition. As they
walked along the highway
some travelers laughed
loudly at them.
"What foolishness," cried
one, "to walk when they
might as well ride. The most stupid of the three is not the one you would
expect it to be."
The Miller did not like to be laughed at, so he told his son to climb up and
ride.
They had gone a little farther along the road, when three merchants passed
by.
"Oho, what have we here?" they cried. "Respect old age, young man! Get
down, and let the old man ride."
Though the Miller was not tired, he made the boy get down and climbed up
himself to ride, just to please the Merchants.
At the next turnstile they overtook some women carrying market baskets
loaded with vegetables and other things to sell.

"Look at the old fool," exclaimed one of them. "Perched on the Ass, while
that poor boy has to walk."
The Miller felt a bit vexed, but to be agreeable he told the Boy to climb up
behind him.
They had no sooner started out again than a loud shout went up from another
company of people on the road.
"What a crime," cried one, "to load up a poor dumb beast like that! They
look more able to carry the poor creature, than he to carry them."
"They must be on their way to sell the poor thing's hide," said another.
The Miller and his Son
quickly scrambled down,
and a short time later, the
market place was thrown
into an uproar as the two
came along carrying the
Donkey slung from a pole.
A great crowd of people ran
out to get a closer look at
the strange sight.
The Ass did not dislike
being carried, but so many
people came up to point at
him and laugh and shout,
that he began to kick and bray, and then, just as they were crossing a bridge,
the ropes that held him gave way, and down he tumbled into the river.
The poor Miller now set out sadly for home. By trying to please everybody,
he had pleased nobody, and lost his Ass besides.
If you try to please all, you please none.

THE ANT AND THE DOVE
A Dove saw an Ant fall
into a brook. The Ant
struggled in vain to reach
the bank, and in pity, the
Dove dropped a blade of
straw close beside it.
Clinging to the straw like a
shipwrecked sailor to a
broken spar, the Ant
floated safely to shore.
Soon after, the Ant saw a
man getting ready to kill
the Dove with a stone. But
just as he cast the stone,
the Ant stung him in the
heel, so that the pain made
him miss his aim, and the
startled Dove flew to
safety in a distant wood.
A kindness is never wasted.

THE MAN AND THE SATYR
A long time ago a Man met a Satyr in the forest and succeeded in making
friends with him. The two soon became the best of comrades, living together
in the Man's hut. But one cold winter evening, as they were walking
homeward, the Satyr saw the Man blow on his fingers.
"Why do you do that?" asked the Satyr.
"To warm my hands," the Man replied.
When they reached home the Man prepared two bowls of porridge. These he
placed steaming hot on the table, and the comrades sat down very cheerfully
to enjoy the meal. But much to the Satyr's surprise, the Man began to blow
into his bowl of porridge.
"Why do you do that?" he asked.
"To cool my porridge," replied the Man.
The Satyr sprang hurriedly to his feet and made for the door.
"Goodby," he said, "I've seen enough. A fellow that blows hot and cold in the
same breath cannot be friends with me!"
The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either.

THE MAN AND THE SATYR

THE WOLF, THE KID, AND THE GOAT
Mother Goat was going to
market one morning to get
provisions for her
household, which
consisted of but one little
Kid and herself.
"Take good care of the
house, my son," she said to
the Kid, as she carefully
latched the door. "Do not
let anyone in, unless he
gives you this password:
'Down with the Wolf and
all his race!'"
Strangely enough, a Wolf
was lurking near and heard
what the Goat had said. So,
as soon as Mother Goat
was out of sight, up he
trotted to the door and
knocked.
"Down with the Wolf and all his race," said the Wolf softly.
It was the right password, but when the Kid peeped through a crack in the
door and saw the shadowy figure outside, he did not feel at all easy.
"Show me a white paw," he said, "or I won't let you in."
A white paw, of course, is a feature few Wolves can show, and so Master
Wolf had to go away as hungry as he had come.

"You can never be too sure," said the Kid, when he saw the Wolf making off
to the woods.
Two sureties are better than one.

THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW
The Swallow and the Crow had an argument one day about their plumage.
Said the Swallow: "Just look at my bright and downy feathers. Your black
stiff quills are not worth having. Why don't you dress better? Show a little
pride!"
"Your feathers may do very well in spring," replied the Crow, "but—I don't
remember ever having seen you around in winter, and that's when I enjoy
myself most."
Friends in fine weather only, are not worth much.

JUPITER AND THE MONKEY
There was once a baby show among the Animals in the forest. Jupiter
provided the prize. Of course all the proud mammas from far and near
brought their babies. But none got there earlier than Mother Monkey.
Proudly she presented her baby among the other contestants.
As you can imagine, there was quite a laugh when the Animals saw the ugly
flat-nosed, hairless, pop-eyed little creature.
"Laugh if you will," said the Mother Monkey. "Though Jupiter may not give
him the prize, I know that he is the prettiest, the sweetest, the dearest darling
in the world."
Mother love is blind.

THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX
A Lion, an Ass, and a Fox
were hunting in company,
and caught a large quantity
of game. The Ass was asked
to divide the spoil. This he
did very fairly, giving each
an equal share.
The Fox was well satisfied,
but the Lion flew into a great
rage over it, and with one
stroke of his huge paw, he
added the Ass to the pile of
slain.
Then he turned to the Fox.
"You divide it," he roared
angrily.
The Fox wasted no time in
talking. He quickly piled all
the game into one great heap. From this he took a very small portion for
himself, such undesirable bits as the horns and hoofs of a mountain goat, and
the end of an ox tail.
The Lion now recovered his good humor entirely.
"Who taught you to divide so fairly?" he asked pleasantly.
"I learned a lesson from the Ass," replied the Fox, carefully edging away.
Learn from the misfortunes of others.

THE LION'S SHARE
A long time ago, the Lion,
the Fox, the Jackal, and the
Wolf agreed to go hunting
together, sharing with each
other whatever they found.
One day the Wolf ran down
a Stag and immediately
called his comrades to
divide the spoil.
Without being asked, the
Lion placed himself at the
head of the feast to do the
carving, and, with a great
show of fairness, began to
count the guests.
"One," he said, counting on
his claws, "that is myself the
Lion. Two, that's the Wolf,
three, is the Jackal, and the
Fox makes four."
He then very carefully
divided the Stag into four equal parts.
"I am King Lion," he said, when he had finished, "so of course I get the first
part. This next part falls to me because I am the strongest; and this is mine
because I am the bravest."
He now began to glare at the others very savagely. "If any of you have any
claim to the part that is left," he growled, stretching his claws meaningly,
"now is the time to speak up."

Might makes right.

THE MOLE AND HIS MOTHER
A little Mole once said to his Mother:
"Why, Mother, you said I was blind! But I am sure I can see!"
Mother Mole saw she would have to get such conceit out of his head. So she
put a bit of frankincense before him and asked him to tell what it was.
The little Mole peered at it.
"Why, that's a pebble!"
"Well, my son, that proves you've lost your sense of smell as well as being
blind."
Boast of one thing and you will be found lacking in that and a few other
things as well.

THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN
The North Wind and the Sun
had a quarrel about which of
them was the stronger. While
they were disputing with
much heat and bluster, a
Traveler passed along the
road wrapped in a cloak.
"Let us agree," said the Sun,
"that he is the stronger who
can strip that Traveler of his
cloak."
"Very well," growled the
North Wind, and at once sent
a cold, howling blast against
the Traveler.
With the first gust of wind
the ends of the cloak whipped
about the Traveler's body. But
he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind
blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak,
but all his efforts were in vain.
Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the
pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler
unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun's
rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his
brow. At last he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape
the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by
the roadside.
Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and bluster fail.

THE HARE AND HIS EARS

The Lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a Goat, which he was eating.
He was very angry to think that any animal that he chose for a meal, should
be so brazen as to wear such dangerous things as horns to scratch him while
he ate. So he commanded that all animals with horns should leave his
domains within twenty-four hours.
The command struck terror among the beasts. All those who were so
unfortunate as to have horns, began to pack up and move out. Even the Hare,
who, as you know, has no horns and so had nothing to fear, passed a very
restless night, dreaming awful dreams about the fearful Lion.
And when he came out of the warren in the early morning sunshine, and
there saw the shadow cast by his long and pointed ears, a terrible fright
seized him.
"Goodby, neighbor Cricket," he called. "I'm off. He will certainly make out
that my ears are horns, no matter what I say."
Do not give your enemies the slightest reason to attack your reputation.
Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you.

THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP
A pack of Wolves lurked near the Sheep pasture. But the Dogs kept them all
at a respectful distance, and the Sheep grazed in perfect safety. But now the
Wolves thought of a plan to trick the Sheep.
"Why is there always this hostility between us?" they said. "If it were not for
those Dogs who are always stirring up trouble, I am sure we should get
along beautifully. Send them away and you will see what good friends we
shall become."
The Sheep were easily fooled. They persuaded the Dogs to go away, and that
very evening the Wolves had the grandest feast of their lives.
Do not give up friends for foes.

THE COCK AND THE FOX
A Fox was caught in a trap one fine morning, because he had got too near
the Farmer's hen house. No doubt he was hungry, but that was not an excuse
for stealing. A Cock, rising early, discovered what had happened. He knew
the Fox could not get at him, so he went a little closer to get a good look at
his enemy.
The Fox saw a slender chance of escape.
"Dear friend," he said, "I was just on my way to visit a sick relative, when I
stumbled into this string and got all tangled up. But please do not tell
anybody about it. I dislike causing sorrow to anybody, and I am sure I can
soon gnaw this string to pieces."
But the Cock was not to be so easily fooled. He soon roused the whole hen
yard, and when the Farmer came running out, that was the end of Mr. Fox.
The wicked deserve no aid.

THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN
An Ass found a Lion's skin
left in the forest by a hunter.
He dressed himself in it, and
amused himself by hiding in
a thicket and rushing out
suddenly at the animals who
passed that way. All took to
their heels the moment they
saw him.
The Ass was so pleased to see
the animals running away
from him, just as if he were
King Lion himself, that he
could not keep from
expressing his delight by a
loud, harsh bray. A Fox, who
ran with the rest, stopped
short as soon as he heard the
voice. Approaching the Ass,
he said with a laugh:
"If you had kept your mouth shut you might have frightened me, too. But
you gave yourself away with that silly bray."
A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his words will soon
show what he really is.

THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH
A poor Fisherman, who
lived on the fish he caught,
had bad luck one day and
caught nothing but a very
small fry. The Fisherman
was about to put it in his
basket when the little Fish
said:
"Please spare me, Mr.
Fisherman! I am so small it
is not worth while to carry
me home. When I am
bigger, I shall make you a
much better meal."
But the Fisherman quickly
put the fish into his basket.
"How foolish I should be,"
he said, "to throw you back.
However small you may be, you are better than nothing at all."
A small gain is worth more than a large promise.

THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE
Once there were two Cocks
living in the same farmyard
who could not bear the
sight of each other. At last
one day they flew up to
fight it out, beak and claw.
They fought until one of
them was beaten and
crawled off to a corner to
hide.
The Cock that had won the
battle flew to the top of the
hen-house, and, proudly
flapping his wings, crowed
with all his might to tell the
world about his victory.
But an Eagle, circling
overhead, heard the
boasting chanticleer and, swooping down, carried him off to his nest.
His rival saw the deed, and coming out of his corner, took his place as
master of the farmyard.
Pride goes before a fall.

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