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wavelets on the pebbled beach, his heart thrilled with pleasure.

"How happy," exclaimed he, "should I be if, in a tight, trim bark of my own, with wings like a bird, I could skim that lovely plain, visit other lands, see other peoples, and become rich in ministering to their wants and pleasures!"

He sold his flock, and all that he had, bought a small ship, loaded her with dates, and set sail. A storm arose the cargo was thrown overboard to lighten the ship, but in spite of all efforts she was driven upon a rock near the shore, and went to pieces. The Shepherd narrowly escaped with his life, and was afterwards glad to earn his bread by watching the flock which had formerly been his

own.

In the course of time, when, by care and frugality, he had again become possessed of some amount of wealth, he happened to find himself sitting on the self-same rock, and on just such another lovely day as that on which he had resolved to become a Merchant. The sea lapped temptingly on the beach at his feet.

"Foolish Sea!" the Shepherd cried, "do you think I am ass enough to try you a second time? You want some more dates, do you?

Experience is a sure teacher.

THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER.

A Grasshopper, that had merrily sung all the summer, was almost perishing with hunger in the winter. So she went to some Ants that lived near, and asked them to lend her a little of the food they had put by.

"You shall certainly be paid before this time of year comes again," said she.

"What did you do all the summer?" asked they. "Why, all day long, and all night long too, I sang, if you please," answered the Grasshopper. "Oh, you sang, did you?" said the Ants. "Now, then, you can dance."

Provide for the future.

THE DOG INVITED TO SUPPER.

A Certain rich man invited a person of high rank to sup with him. Great preparations were made for the repast, and all the delicacies of the season provided. The Dog of the host, having long wished to entertain another Dog, a friend of his, thought this would be a capital time to ask him to come. As soon, therefore, as it fell dusk, the invited Dog came, and was shown by his friend into the kitchen.

The sight of the food there filled him with

astonishment, and he resolved that when the time came, he would eat enough to last him a week. He wagged his tail so hard, and licked his chaps with so much vigor, that he attracted the notice of the head cook, who, seeing a strange Dog about, caught him up by the tail, and after giving him a swing in the air, sent him flying through the open window into the street. He limped away, and was soon surrounded by a lot of Curs to whom he had boasted of his invitation. They asked him eagerly how he had fared.

"Oh, rarely," answered he. "I was treated so warmly, that I hardly know how I got out of the house."

Beware how you accept favors!

THE LION AND THE ELEPHANT.

The Lion complained most sadly that a Beast with such claws, teeth, and strength as he possessed, should yet be moved to a state of abject terror at the crowing of a Cock.

"Can life be worth having," said he, "when so vile a creature has the power to rob it of its charms?"

Just then, a huge Elephant came along, flapping his ears quickly to and fro, with an air of great

concern.

"What troubles you so?" said the Lion to the Elephant. "Can any mortal thing have power to harm a Beast so large as you?"

"Do you see this little buzzing Gnat?" replied the Elephant; "let him but sting the inner part of my ear, and I shall go mad with pain."

The Lion thereupon took heart again, and determined not to let troubles, which he shared in common with all created things, blind him to what was pleasant in life.

Brooding over troubles increases them.

THE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS.

An Ass being sick, the report of it was spread abroad in the country, and some did not hesitate to say Dhat she would die before the night was over. Upon this, several Wolves came to the stable where she lay, and rapping at the door inquired how she did. The young Ass thrust her head out the window, and told them that her mother was much better than they desired.

Words reveal wishes.

THE GNAT AND THE LION.

"I Am not afraid of you," once said the Gnat "You may be stronger than I, but I

to the Lion.

can conquer you, and all your cruel claws and sharp teeth will avail you nothing against my sting. Let us fight it out here and now."

Having sounded his buzzing challenge, he at once attacked the Lion, whom he so enraged by stinging the most sensitive parts of his nose, eyes, and ears, that the Beast roared in anguish, and, maddened with pain, tore himself cruelly with his claws. All the attempts of the Lion to crush the Gnat were in vain, and the Insect returned again and again to the charge.

At last the poor Beast lay exhausted and bleeding upon the ground. The Gnat, hovering over the spot, and sounding a note of triumph, happened to come in the way of the web of a Spider, which, slight as it was, was enough to stop him in his career. His efforts to escape only fixed him more firmly in the toils, and he who had vanquished the Lion became the prey of the Spider.

No victory is lasting.

JUPITER AND THE HERDSMAN.

A Herdsman missing a young Cow that belonged to the herd, went up and down the forest to seek it. Not being able to find it, he prayed to Jupiter, and promised to sacrifice a Kid if he would help him to find the thief. He then went on a little

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