ray, honest friend," said a townsman, "is
that Ass your own?" "Yes," says the old Man. "Oh! One would not have
thought so by the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better
able to carry the poor beast than he you!" "Anything to please you,"
said the old Man. So, alighting with his Son, they tied the Ass's legs
together, and by the help of a pole endeavored to carry him on their
shoulders over a bridge. The people ran out in crowds to laugh at the
sight; till the Ass, not liking the noise nor his situation, kicked
asunder the cords and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon
this the old Man made the best of his way home with his Son--convinced
that, by endeavoring to please every-body, he had succeeded in pleasing
nobody, and lost his Ass into the bargain.

[Illustration]

The Travelers and the Plane-Tree.

Two Travelers, worn out by the heat of the summer's sun, laid themselves
down at noon under the wide-spreading branches of a Plane-tree. As they
rested under its shade, one of the Travelers said to the other: "What a
singularly useless tree is the Plane. It bears no fruit, and is not of
the least service to man." The Plane-tree interrupting him said: "You
ungrateful fellows! Do you, while receiving benefits from me, and
resting under my shade, dare to describe me as useless, and
unprofitable?"

Some men despise their best blessings because they come without cost.

The Tortoise and the Two Ducks.

[Illustration]

A Tortoise, becoming tired of her humble home, resolved to visit foreign
lands, but she did not know which way to go. She repaired to two Ducks
to show her the road, and they told her that the best way to travel was
through the air. On her imploring their help, they made her grasp a
stick with her mouth, and so they bore her aloft. As they flew along,
the gaping people beneath shouted at sight of the spectacle. The vain
Tortoise mistook their shouts for applause. "I am surely a queen," said
she. But, alas! as she opened her mouth to speak she lost her hold of
the stick, and, falling to the ground, was dashed to pieces.

Those who are not able to roam should stay at home.

The Countryman and the Snake.

[Illustration]

A Villager found a Snake under a hedge, almost dead with cold. He could
not help having a compassion for the poor creature, so he brought it
home, and laid it upon the hearth near the fire; but it had not lain
there long, before (being reviv