THE EARTHEN POT AND THE POT OF BRASS.

43

THE SHEEP-BITER.

A CERTAIN Shepherd had a Dog in whom he placed such great trust, that he would often leave the flock to his sole care. As soon, however, as his master's back was turned, the Cur, although well fed and kindly treated, used to worry the Sheep, and would sometimes kill one and devour a portion. The man at last found out how much his confidence had been abused, and resolved to hang the Dog without mercy. When the rope was put around his neck, he pleaded hard for his life, and begged his master rather to hang the Wolf, who had done ten times as much harm to the flock as he had. "That may be," replied the man sternly; "but you are ten times the greater villain for all that. Nothing shall save you from the fate which your treachery deserves."

THE EARTHEN POT AND THE POT OF

BRASS.

A RIVER having overflowed its banks, two Pots were carried along in the stream, one made of Earthenware and the other of Brass. "Well, brother, since we share the same fate, let us go along together," cried the Brazen Pot to the Earthen one. "No, no!" replied the latter in a great fright; keep off whatever you do, for if you knock against me, or I against you, it will be all over with me—to the bottom I shall go."

THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.

A TORTOISE, weary of crawling about on the ground at a snail's pace, desired to fly in the air like the birds, and gave out that if any bird would take him up in the clouds and show him the world, he would tell him in return where to find treasures hid in the earth. The Eagle thereupon did as he wished, but finding that the Tortoise could not keep his word, carried him up once more, and let him fall on a hard rock, where he was dashed to pieces.

THE TWO CRABS.

"My dear," called out an old Crab to her daughter one day, "why do you sidle along in that awkward manner? Why don't you go forward like other people?" "Well, mother," answered the young Crab, "it seems to me that go exactly like you do. Go first and show me how, and I will gladly follow."

I

THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL.

A Fox was once caught in a trap by his tail, and in order to get away, was forced to leave it behind. Knowing that without a tail he would be a laughing-stock for all his fellows, he resolved to try to induce them to part with theirs. So at the next assembly of Foxes he made a speech

THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.

47

on the unprofitableness of tails in general, and the inconvenience of a Fox's tail in particular, adding that he had never felt so easy as since he had given up his own. When he had sat down, a sly old fellow rose, and waving his long brush with a graceful air, said, with a sneer, that if, like the last speaker, he had lost his tail, nothing further would have been needed to convince him ; but till such an accident should happen, he should certainly vote in favour of tails.

THE VIPER AND THE FILE.

A VIPER entered a smith's shop, and looked up and down for something to eat. He settled at last upon a File, and began to gnaw it greedily. "Bite away," said the File gruffly, "you'll get little from me. It is my business to take from all and give to none."

THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.

A Fox, hotly pursued by the Hounds, jumped through a hedge, and his feet were sadly torn by a Bramble that grew in the midst. He fell to licking his paws, with many a curse against the Bramble for its unkind treatment. Softly, softly, good words if you please, Master Reynard," said the Bramble. "I thought you knew better than to lay hold of one whose nature it is to lay hold of others."