diff --git "a/data_sources/data/aesops_fables_milo_winter.txt" "b/data_sources/data/aesops_fables_milo_winter.txt" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/data_sources/data/aesops_fables_milo_winter.txt" @@ -0,0 +1,4959 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Aesop for Children + +This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online +at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, +you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located +before using this eBook. + +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 + +Credits: Produced by Jason Isbell Christine D. and the Online + Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AESOP FOR CHILDREN *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell Christine D. and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +THE ÆSOP FOR CHILDREN + +[Illustration: THE COCK AND THE FOX Fable, Page 58] + + + + +The ÆSOP for + +CHILDREN + +WITH PICTURES BY + +MILO WINTER + +[Illustration] + +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 + +[Illustration: THE WOLF AND THE KID] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration:] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE SHEEP AND THE PIG] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +THE WOLF AND THE LAMB + + +A stray Lamb stood drinking early one morning on the bank of a +woodland 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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE PEACOCK] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +"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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + + + + +THE FOX AND THE GOAT + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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!" + +[Illustration] + +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!" + +[Illustration] + +"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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: 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. + +[Illustration] + +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." + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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." + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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." + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + +"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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration: THE MAN AND THE SATYR] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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." + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + + + +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. + +[Illustration] + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + +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._ + +[Illustration] + + + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AESOP FOR CHILDREN *** + + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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