Part 26 (1/2)

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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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 a.s.s, AND THE FOX

A Lion, an a.s.s, and a Fox were hunting in company, and caught a large quant.i.ty of game. The a.s.s 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 a.s.s 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 a.s.s,” replied the Fox, carefully edging away.

_Learn from the misfortunes of others._