have I not reason ? If I were clumsy like my brother the Bear, now, I might have something to say."

"Nay," growled the Bear, "I don't see that there's much to find fault with in me; but if you could manage to lengthen the tail and trim the ears of our friend the Elephant, that might be an improvement."

The Elephant, in his turn, said that he had always considered the Whale a great deal too big to be comely. The Ant thought the Mite so small as to be beneath notice.

Jupiter became angry to witness so much conceit, and sent them all about their business.

Think not of yourself more highly than of your neighbors.

THE MULES AND THE ROBBERS.

Two Mules were being driven along a lonely road. One was laden with Corn and the other with Gold. The one that carried the Gold was so proud of his burden that, although it was very heavy, he would not for the world have the least bit of it taken away. He trotted along with stately step, his bells jingling as he went.

By-and-by, some Bobbers fell upon them. They let the Mule that carried the Corn go free; but

they seized the Gold which the other carried, and, as he kicked and struggled to prevent their robbing him, they stabbed him to the heart.

In dying, he said to the other Mule, "I see, brother, it is not always well to have grand duties to perform. If, like you, I had only served a Miller, this sad state would not now be mine."

Do not flatter yourself simply because you
carry a little gold.

THE WOLF AND THE MASTIFF.

A Wolf, who was almost skin and bone — so well did the Dogs of the neighborhood keep guard — met, one moonshiny night, a sleek Mastiff, who was, moreover, as strong as he was fat. The Wolf would gladly have supped off him, but saw there would first be a great fight, for which, in his condition, he was not prepared; so, bidding the Dog good-night very humbly, he praised his good looks.

"It would be easy for you," replied the Mastiff, "to get as fat as I am, if you liked. Quit this forest, where you and your fellows live so wretchedly, and often die with hunger. Follow me, and you shall fare much better."

"What shall I have to do?" asked the Wolf. "Almost nothing," answered the Dog; "only chase away the beggars, and fawn upon the folks of

to

the house. You will, in return, be paid with all sorts of nice things-bones of fowls and pigeons say nothing of many a friendly pat on the head."

The Wolf, at the picture of so much comfort, nearly shed tears of joy. They trotted off together, but, as they went along, the Wolf noticed a bare spot on the Dog's neck.

"What is that mark?" said he.

"Oh, nothing," said the Dog.

"How nothing?" urged the Wolf.

"Just the merest trifle," answered the Dog; "the collar which I wear when I am tied up is the cause of it."

"Tied up!" exclaimed the Wolf, with a sudden stop; "tied up! Can you not always, then, run where you please?"

"Well, not quite always," said the Mastiff; "but what can that matter?"

"It matters so much to me," rejoined the Wolf, "that your lot shall not be mine at any price; aud leaping away, he ran once more to his native forest.

Liberty is priceless.

THE TRAVELLERS AND THE OYSTER.

As two Men were walking by the sea-side at low water, they saw an Oyster, and both stooped at

the same time to pick it up. One pushed the other away, and a dispute ensued. A third Traveller coming along at the time, they determined to refer the matter to him, which of the two had the better right to the Oyster. While each was telling his story, the Arbitrator gravely took out his knife, opened the Shell, and loosened the Oyster. When they had finished, and were listening for his decision, he just as gravely swallowed the Oyster, and offered them each a Shell.

"The Court," said he, "awards you each a Shell. The Oyster will cover the costs."

Those who seek justice must pay for it.

THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN.

An Ass once found the skin of a Lion, put it on, and was highly amused to note how his presence brought terror to the other animals wherever he went. In his delight he could not resist raising his voice and braying loudly.

At the sound, a Fox, who had been skulking off, turned about and said:

"Ah, I thought you were a Lion, too, until I heard you bray."

Clothes do not make the man.

THE YOUNG MOUSE, THE COCK, AND THE CAT.

A Young Mouse, on his return to his hole after leaving it for the first time, thus recounted his adventures to his mother.

"Mother," said he, "quitting this narrow place where you have brought me up, I rambled about to-day like a Mouse of spirit, who wished to see and to be seen, when two such notable creatures came in my way! One was so gracious, so gentle and benign! The other, who was just as noisy and forbidding, had on his head and under his chin, pieces of raw meat, which shook at every step he took; and then, all at once, beating his sides with the utmost fury, he uttered such a harsh and piercing cry that I fled in terror; and this, too, just as I was about to introduce myself to the other stranger, who was covered with fur like our own, only richer-looking and much more beautiful, and who seemed so modest and benevolent that it did my heart good to look at her."

"Ah, my son," replied the Old Mouse, "learn while you live to distrust appearances. The first strange creature was nothing but a Fowl, that will ere long be killed, and off his bones, when put on a dish in the pantry, we may make a delicious supper; while the other was a nasty, sly, and blood