THE FIR-TREE AND THE BRAMBLE. The Fir-tree treated with contempt the Bramble that grew at its foot. "I am put to many high and noble uses," said he boastfully. "I furnish taper spars for ships, and beams for the roofs of palaces. You are trodden under foot, and despised by everybody." "You talk very finely now," replied the Bramble; "but, for all that, when once you feel the axe applied to your root, you'll wish you had been a Bramble." Better poverty without care than riches with care. THE HORSE AND THE GROOM. A Dishonest Groom used regularly to sell a good half of the measure of oats that was daily allowed for a Horse, the care of which was entrusted to him. He would, however, keep currying the animal for hours together, to make him appear in good condition. The Horse naturally resented this treatment. "If you really wish me to look sleek," said he, "in future give me half the currying, and twice as much food." There is no parleying with the dishonest. THE NURSE AND THE WOLF. As a Wolf was hunting up and down for his supper, he passed by the door of a house where a little child was crying loudly. "Hold your tongue," said the Nurse to the child, or I'll throw you to the Wolf." The Wolf, hearing this, waited near the house, expecting that she would keep her word. The Nurse, however, when the child was quiet, changed her tone, and said, "If the naughty Wolf comes now, we'll beat his brains out for him." The Wolf thought it was then high time to be off. "Serves me right," growled he; "I shall starve to death if I listen to idle threats." He who threatens most does least. THE EAGLE AND THE ARROW. An Eagle sat on a lofty rock intently watching a Hare whom he intended presently to pounce upon. An Archer, taking advantage of the Eagle's carelessness, aimed an arrow at him, and wounded him mortally. The Eagle gave one look at the death-dealing arrow and saw that it carried one of his own feathers. "Bitter it is to die!" he exclaimed; "but doubly bitter to have helped speed the cause of my death!" Our misfortunes bite the keener when we have brought them on ourselves. THE TRAVELLERS AND THE CROW. Some Travellers setting out on a journey had not proceeded far, when a one-eyed Crow flew across their path. This they took for a bad omen, and it was proposed that they should give up their plan for that day, at least, and turn back again. "What nonsense!" said one of the Travellers, who was of a mocking and merry disposition. "If this Crow could foresee what is to happen to us, he would be equally knowing on his own account; and in that case, do you think he would have been silly enough to go where his eye was to be knocked out of his head?" Common-sense is better than auguries. HERCULES AND PLUTUS. When Hercules was raised to the dignity of a god, and took his place on Olympus, he went round and paid his respects to all the gods and goddesses, excepting only Plutus, the god of Wealth, to whom he made no sign. This caused much astonishment, and Jupiter, at the first favorable opportunity, asked Hercules for an explanation. "Why," answered he, "I have seen that god in the company of such rascals when on earth, that I did not know whether it would be considered reputable to be seen talking to him in heaven." Wealth and respectability are often at variance. THE ANT AND THE COCOON. An Ant, nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food, came across a Cocoon that was very near its time of change. The Cocoon moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor creature!" cried the Ant disdainfully; "what a sad fate is yours! While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail." The Cocoon heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly. "Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your muchpitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever. Judge not alone by the present. THE BEE AND THE FLY. A Bee observing a Fly frisking about her hive, asked him in a very angry tone what he did there. "Is it for such fellows as you," said she, "to intrude into the company of the queens of the air?" "You have great reason, truly," replied the Fly, "to be out of humor. I am sure they must be mad who would have any concern with so quarrelsome a nation." "And why so, may I ask?" returned the enraged Bee. "We have the best laws and are governed by the best policy in the world. We feed upon the most fragrant flowers, and all our business is to make honey; honey, which equals nectar, low, tasteless wretch, who live upon nothing but vile things." "We live as we can," rejoined the Fly. "Poverty, I hope, is no crime; but passion is one, I am The honey you make is sweet, I grant you, sure. |