too heavy. So he gathered up some pebbles, with which the ground was covered, and, taking them one by one in his beak, dropped them into the Pitcher. By this means the water gradually reached the top, and he was able to drink at his

ease.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

THE WOLF TEACHING THE FOX.

Said the Fox to the Wolf, one day, "My friend, you have no idea how badly I often fare. A horribly tough old Cock, or a lean and shrivelled Hen, is a kind of food of which it is quite possible in time to get tired. Now, it seems to me that you live a good deal better than I do, and don't run into so much danger either. I have to go prowling about the houses: you get your prey in the fields. Teach me your business. Let me be the first of my race to have a fat Sheep whenever I wish. Teach me, there's a good fellow, and you shall find yourself no loser in the end."

"I will," said the Wolf; "and, by-the-by, I have just lost a brother. You will find his body over yonder. Slip into his skin, and come to me again."

The Fox did as he was told, and the Wolf gave him many a lesson in growling, biting, fighting, and

deportment, which the Fox executed first badly, then fairly, and in the end quite as well as his master. Just then a flock of Sheep came in sight, and into the midst of them rushed the new-made Wolf, with such fury and noise that Shepherd Boy, Dog, and Sheep fled in terror to gain their home, leaving only one poor Sheep behind, that had been seized by the throat. Just at that instant a Cock in the nearest farm crowed loud and shrill. There was no resisting the familiar sound. Out of the Wolf's skin slipped the Fox, and made towards the Cock as fast as he could, forgetting in a moment his lessons, the Sheep, the Professor, and everything else, about which he had just been. making all the fuss in the world.

Training cannot overcome nature.

THE GRATEFUL EAGLE AND THE FOX.

A Man caught an Eagle in a snare, cut his wings close, and kept him chained to a stump in his yard. A kind-hearted Fowler, seeing the melancholy-looking bird, took pity on him, and bought him. He was now well treated, and his wings were allowed to grow. When they had grown again sufficiently for him to fly, the Fowler gave him his liberty. The first thing the Bird

caught was a fine fat Hare, which he brought and gratefully laid at the feet of his benefactor.

A Fox, looking on, said that he would have done better to try to make friends with the first Man who had caught him, and who might, perhaps, catch him yet again, rather than with-the second, from whom he had nothing to fear.

"Your advice may do very well for a Fox," replied the Eagle; "but it is my nature to serve those who have been kind to me, rather than be governed by fear."

Fear commands poorer service than kindness.

THE CROW AND THE MUSSEL.

A Crow, having found a Mussel on the sea-shore, took it in his beak, and tried for a long time to break the shell by hammering it upon a stone. Another Crow a sly old fellow watched him for some time in silence.

came and

"Friend," said he at last, "you'll never break it in that way. Listen to me. This is the way to do it: Fly up as high as you can, and let the thing fall upon a rock. It will be smashed then, sure enough, and you can eat it at your leisure."

The simple-minded Crow did as he was told, flew up and let the Mussel fall. Before he could

descend to eat it, however, the other Bird had pounced upon it and carried it away.

Beware of interested advisers.

THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS.

Four Bulls were such great friends that they always kept together when feeding. A Lion watched them for many days with longing eyes; but never being able to find one apart from the rest, was afraid to attack them. He at length succeeded in awakening a jealousy among them, which finally became hatred, and they strayed off at some distance from each other. The Lion then fell upon them singly, and killed them all.

Union is strength.

THE BEAR AND THE FOX.

The Bear is said to be unwilling to touch the dead body of a man; and one of the animals was once heard making a virtue of this peculiarity.

"Such is my regard for mankind," said he, "that nothing on earth would induce me to injure a human corpse."

"Your kindness would impress me much more," said a Fox who was listening to this speech, "if I

could believe that you paid the same respect to the living that you profess to do to the dead." Regard is not shown in half-service.

THE SHEPHERD AND THE YOUNG WOLF.

A Shepherd found the young Cub of a Wolf, and caused it to be brought up among his Dogs, with whom it grew to be quite friendly. When any other Wolves came, meaning to rob the fold, this young fellow was among the foremost to give them chase, but on returning he generally managed to linger behind the Dogs, and keep a sharp lookout for any stray Sheep from the fold. Instead, however, of bringing these home, he would drive them to an out-of-the-way spot, and there mangle and partially devour them. He did this once too often, and was caught at it by the Shepherd, who hung him by the neck from the bough of a tree, and in that way put an end to his double-dealing.

Double-dealing is worse than open enmity.

THE EAGLE AND THE OWL.

The Eagle and the Owl, after many quarrels, swore that they would be friends for ever, and that they would never harm each other's young ones.