Part 27 (2/2)

_Do not give up friends for foes._

THE c.o.c.k 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 c.o.c.k, 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 c.o.c.k 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 a.s.s IN THE LION'S SKIN

An a.s.s 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 rus.h.i.+ng out suddenly at the animals who pa.s.sed that way. All took to their heels the moment they saw him.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The a.s.s 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 a.s.s, 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._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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.”

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