, were all captured
and eaten by the Weasels.

The more honor the more danger.

The Mice in Council

THE MICE summoned a council to decide how they might best devise means
of warning themselves of the approach of their great enemy the Cat.
Among the many plans suggested, the one that found most favor was the
proposal to tie a bell to the neck of the Cat, so that the Mice, being
warned by the sound of the tinkling, might run away and hide themselves
in their holes at his approach. But when the Mice further debated who
among them should thus "bell the Cat," there was no one found to do it.

The Wolf and the Housedog

A WOLF, meeting a big well-fed Mastiff with a wooden collar about his
neck asked him who it was that fed him so well and yet compelled him to
drag that heavy log about wherever he went. "The master," he replied.
Then said the Wolf: "May no friend of mine ever be in such a plight; for
the weight of this chain is enough to spoil the appetite."

The Rivers and the Sea

THE RIVERS joined together to complain to the Sea, saying, "Why is it
that when we flow into your tides so potable and sweet, you work in
us such a change, and make us salty and unfit to drink?" The Sea,
perceiving that they intended to throw the blame on him, said, "Pray
cease to flow into me, and then you will not be made briny."

The Playful Ass

AN ASS climbed up to the roof of a building, and frisking about there,
broke in the tiling. The owner went up after him and quickly drove him
down, beating him severely with a thick wooden cudgel. The Ass said,
"Why, I saw the Monkey do this very thing yesterday, and you all laughed
heartily, as if it afforded you very great amusement."

The Three Tradesmen

A GREAT CITY was besieged, and its inhabitants were called together to
consider the best means of protecting it from the enemy. A Bricklayer
earnestly recommended bricks as affording the best material for an
effective resistance. A Carpenter, with equal enthusiasm, proposed
timber as a preferable method of defense. Upon which a Currier stood up
and said, "Sirs, I differ from you altogether: there is no material
for resistance equal to a covering of hides; and nothing so good as
leather."

Every man for himself.

The Master and His Dogs

A CERTAIN MAN, detained by a storm in his country house, first of
all killed his sheep, and then his goats, for the maintenance of his
household. The storm stil