farther, and suddenly came upon a Lion, grumbling over the carcase of the Cow, and feeding upon it.

"Great Jupiter!" cried the Man, "I promised thee a Kid, if thou wouldst show me the thief. I now offer thee a full-grown Bull, if thou wilt mercifully deliver me safe from his clutches." The fulfilment of our wishes might lead to ruin.

THE FIGHTING COCKS.

Two Cocks fought for the sovereignty of the farm-yard. One was severely beaten, and ran and hid himself in a hole. The conqueror flew to the top of an outhouse, there clapped his wings, and crowed out "Victory!"

Just then an Eagle made a swoop, seized him, and carried him off. The other, seeing this from his hiding-place, came out, and, shaking off the recollection of his late disgrace, strutted about among his Hens with all the dignity imaginable. Pride goes before a fall.

THE CATS AND THE MICE.

In former times a fierce and lasting war raged between the Cats and Mice, in which, time after

time, the latter had to fly. One day when the Mice in council were discussing the cause of their ill-luck, the general opinion seemed to be that it was the difficulty of knowing, in the heat of the conflict, who were their leaders, that led to their defeat and utter rout.

So it was decided that in future each captain should have his head decorated with some thin straws, so that all the Mice would then know to whom they were to look for orders.

After the Mice had drilled and disciplined their numbers, they once more gave battle to the Cats; but again they met with no better success, being utterly routed. The greater part reached their holes in safety, but the captains were prevented by their strange head-gear from entering their retreats, and fell a prey to their cruel pursuers.

Those who have the greatest honor, have the
gravest danger.

THE SPARROW AND THE HARE.

a piteous manner.

A Hare, being seized by an Eagle, cried out in A Sparrow sitting on a tree close by, so far from pitying the poor animal, made merry at his expense.

"Why did you stay there to be taken?" said he.

"Could not so swift a creature as you have easily escaped from an Eagle ?"

Just then a Hawk swooped down and carried off the Sparrow, who, when he felt the Hawk's talons in his sides, cried still more loudly than the Hare. The Hare, in the agonies of death, received comfort from the fact that the fate of the mocking Sparrow was no better than his own.

When calamity overtakes the hard-hearted they receive no sympathy.

THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE ASS.

An Ass and a Fox were rambling through a forest one day, when they were met by a Lion. The Fox was seized with great fear, and taking the first opportunity of getting the ear of the Lion, thought to obtain his own safety at the expense of that of his companion.

"Sire," said he, "yonder Ass is young and plump, and if your majesty would care to make a dinner off him, I know how he might be caught without much trouble. There is a pit-fall not far away, into which I can easily lead him."

The Lion agreed, and seeing the Ass securely taken, he began his dinner by devouring the traitorous Fox, reserving the Ass to be eaten at his leisure.

Traitors receive no consideration even from

those whom they serve.

THE ASS CARRYING AN IDOL.

The master of an Ass was employed to take an Idol from the shop of the sculptor where it was made to the temple in which it was to be placed. For this purpose it was put on the back of the Ass, and carried through the principal streets of the city.

Seeing that all the people, as he went along, bent themselves in lowly reverence, the animal fancied that it was to him they were bowing. In consequence he pricked up his ears, flourished his tail, and felt as proud as might be. Finally he became so vain that he stood stock-still, and refused to leave his circle of supposed worshippers.

The driver seeing him thus stop laid the whip lustily over his body, and said:

"O you obstinate fool! It is not yet come to this, that men do homage to an Ass!"

They are not wise who take to themselves the
credit due to others.

THE KID AND THE WOLF.

A Kid, safely perched upon a high rock, bestowed all manner of abuse upon a Wolf on the ground below.

After he had called him all the evil names he could think of, the Wolf, looking up, replied, "Do not think, foolish youngster, that you annoy me. I regard the ill language as coming not from you, but from the place upon which you stand." The best answer for silly pretenders is disdain.

THE WOLF AND THE FOX.

The Wolves and Foxes once selected one of their number to be their ruler. The Wolf that was chosen was a plausible, smooth-spoken rascal, and on a very early day he addressed an assembly of his subjects as follows:

"One thing," he said, "is of such vital importance, and will tend so much to our general welfare, that I cannot impress it too strongly upon your attention. Nothing cherishes true brotherly feeling and promotes the general good so much. as the suppression of all selfishness. Let each one of you, then, share with any hungry brother who may be near whatever in hunting may fall to your lot."

"Hear, hear!" cried a Fox, who had listened to the speech; "and of course you yourself will begin with the fat Sheep that you hid yesterday in a corner of your lair."

Practice what you preach.