Part 11 (1/2)

”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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE WOLF AND THE a.s.s

An a.s.s 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 a.s.s what had made him lame, and the a.s.s 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 a.s.s lifted up his foot and the Wolf began to search very closely and carefully for the thorn.

Just then the a.s.s 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 a.s.s 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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.”

p.u.s.s.y 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.