THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE WOLF.

135

MERCURY AND THE CARVER.

MERCURY, having a mind to know how much he was esteemed among men, disguised himself, and going into a Carver's shop, where little images were sold, saw those of Jupiter, Juno, himself, and most of the other gods and goddesses. Pretending that he wanted to buy, he said to the Carver, pointing to the figure of Jupiter, "What do you ask for that?" 'A shilling," answered the Man. And what for that?" meaning Juno. "Ah," said the man, "I must have something more for that-eighteenpence, let us say." Well, and what, again, is the price of this?" said Mercury, laying his hand on a figure of himself, with wings, rod, and all complete. Why," replied the man, if you really mean business, and will buy the other two, I'll throw you that fellow into the bargain."

THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE WOLF. THE King of the Forest was once long and seriously ill, and his majesty's temper not being at all improved by the trial, the Fox, with his usual discretion, kept away from Court as much as he could. He slunk about, however, as near as he was able without being seen, and one day overheard the Wolf talking to the Lion about him. The Wolf and the Fox were never good friends, and the Wolf

was now calling the Lion's attention to the fact that the Fox had not shown his face for a long time at Court, and added that he had strong reasons for suspecting that he was busily engaged in hatching some treason or other. The Lion thereupon commanded that the Fox should be brought at once to his presence, and the Jackal was accordingly sent to look for him. The Fox, being asked what he had to say for himself, replied that his absence, so far from arising from any want of respect for his sovereign, was the result of his extreme concern for his welfare. He had gone far and wide, he said, and consulted the most skilful physicians as to what was the best thing to be done to cure the King's most grievous malady. They say," stated he (and here he gave a malicious leer at the Wolf), "that the only thing to save your majesty's life is to wrap yourself in the warm skin torn from a newly-killed Wolf." The Lion, eager to try the experiment, at once dragged the Wolf towards him, and killed him on the spot.

66

THE MAN AND HIS WOODEN GOD.

A POOR Man, who longed to get rich, used to pray day and night for wealth, to a Wooden Idol which he had in his house. Notwithstanding all his prayers, instead of becoming richer, he got poorer. Out of all patience with his Idol, he one day took it by the legs, and dashed it to pieces upon the floor. Hundreds of gold pieces, which had been hidden in the body, flew about the room. Transported at the sight, he exclaimed, "How have I wasted my time in worshipping a graceless deity, who yields to force what he would not grant to prayers!"