Part 18 (2/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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 b.u.t.ter 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 pa.s.serby heard his cries and asked what had happened.

”My gold! O my gold!” cried the Miser, wildly, ”someone has robbed me!”

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