"What reason can you give," said he, "for your screaming at night so? No honest body can sleep

for you."

"Nay," answered the Cock, "I only crow in the service of man, to tell him when it is time to begin work."

"What nonsense you talk!" said the Cat; "you are mistaken if you think that such an excuse as that will do me out of my breakfast."

No plea will protect the innocent from the
unjust judge.

THE HORSE AND THE ASS.

A War-horse, gaily caparisoned, with arching neck and lofty tread, the ground ringing beneath his hoofs, overtook a patient Ass, slowly walking along under a heavy load.

"Out of my way!" cried the Horse in a haughty tone," and give me room to pass."

The poor Ass did as he was told, sighing at the inequality of their lots. Not long after, he met

the ame H rse ne r t

e s me s ot; b t in how different circumstances! Wounded in battle, and his master killed, he was now lame, half blind, heavily laden, and driven with many blows by a brutal carrier, into whose hands he had fallen.

Pride goes before a fall.

HERCULES AND THE WAGONER.

As a Wagoner was driving his team through a miry lane, the wheels stuck fast in the clay, and the Horses could get on no further. The Man dropped on his knees, and began crying and praying to Hercules with all his might to come and help him.

"Lazy fellow!" said Hercules, "get up and stir yourself. Whip your Horses stoutly, and put your shoulder to the wheel. If you want my help then, you shall have it."

Heaven helps those who help themselves.

THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT.

Once upon a time a fierce war was waged between the Birds and the Beasts. In a decisive contest between them, the Bat at first fought on the side of the Birds who were in the ascendant; but later on in the day the tide of battle ran so much in favor of the Beasts, that he changed over, and fought on the other side. Owing mainly, however, to the admirable conduct and courage of their general, the Eagle, the tide once more turned in favor of the Birds, who won the day.

The Bat, to save his life and escape the shame of falling into the hands of his deserted friends, fled, and has ever since skulked in caves and hollow trees, coming out only in the dusk, when the Birds are gone to rest. Nor have the Beasts had anything further to do with him.

Traitors are odious even to those who profit by their treason.

THE GEESE AND THE CRANES.

A Flock of Geese and a covey of Cranes used often to feed together in a wheat field, where the grain was just ripening for harvest. One day the owner of the field came up and surprised them. The Cranes were thin and light, and easily flew away. But the Geese were heavy and fat, and many of them were caught.

Many criminals go unpunished.

THE FARMER AND HIS SONS.

A Certain Farmer, lying at the point of death, called his Sons around him, and gave into their charge his fields and vineyards, telling them that a treasure lay hidden somewhere in them, within a foot of the surface of the ground. His Sons thought

he spoke of money which he had hidden, and after he was buried, they dug most industriously all over the estate, but found nothing. The soil being so well loosened, however, the succeeding crops were of unequalled richness, and the Sons then found out what their Father had in view in telling them to dig for hidden treasure.

Industry is fortune's right hand.

THE BOAR AND THE ASS.

A Little scamp of an Ass, meeting in a forest with a Boar, came up to him and hailed him with impudent familiarity. The Boar was about to resent the insult by ripping up the Ass's flank, but, wisely keeping his temper, he contented himself with saying:

"Go, you sorry beast; I could easily teach you manners, but I do not care to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a creature."

Scoffs are best paid with disdain.

THE ENVIOUS MAN AND THE COVETOUS.

Two Men, one a Covetous fellow, and the other thoroughly possessed by the passion of envy, came together to present their petitions to Jupiter.

The god sent Apollo to deal with their requests. Apollo told them that whatsoever should be granted to the first who asked, the other should receive double. The Covetous Man forbore to speak, waiting in order that he might receive twice as much as his companion. The Envious Man, in the spitefulness of his heart, thereupon prayed that one of his own eyes might be put out, knowing that the other would have to lose both of his.

Envy shoots at another and wounds itself.

THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES.

A Porcupine, seeking for shelter, desired some Snakes to give him admittance into their cave. They accordingly let him in, but were afterwards so annoyed by his sharp, prickly quills, that they repented of their hospitality, and asked him to withdraw and leave them their hole to themselves.

"No," said he, "you may quit the place if you don't like it; for my part, I am very well satisfied where I am."

Be cautious in your choice of friends.

THE MULE.

A Mule, well fed and worked but little, frisked and gambolled about in the fields, and said to him