"

Fine feathers don't make fine birds.

The Mouse and the Weasel.

[Illustration]

A little starveling Mouse had made his way with some difficulty into a
basket of corn, where, finding the entertainment so good, he stuffed and
crammed himself to such an extent, that when he would have got out again
he found the hole was too small to allow his puffed-up body to pass. As
he sat at the hole groaning over his fate, a Weasel, who was brought to
the spot by his cries, thus addressed him: "Stop there, my friend, and
fast till you are thin; for you will never come out till you reduce
yourself to the same condition as when you entered."

The Fox and the Tiger.

[Illustration]

A skillful archer, coming into the woods, directed his arrows so
successfully that he slew many wild beasts, and pursued several others.
This put the whole savage kind into a fearful consternation, and made
them fly to the most retired thickets for refuge. At last, the Tiger
resumed courage, and, bidding them not be afraid, said that he alone
would engage the enemy; telling them they might depend upon his valor
and strength to revenge their wrongs. In the midst of these threats,
while he was lashing himself with his tail, and tearing up the ground
for anger, an arrow pierced his ribs, and hung by its barbed point in
his side. He set up an hideous and loud roar, occasioned by the anguish
which he felt, and endeavored to draw out the painful dart with his
teeth; when the Fox, approaching him, inquired with an air of surprise
who it was that could have strength and courage enough to wound so
mighty and valorous a beast! "Ah!" says the Tiger, "I was mistaken in my
reckoning: it was that invincible man yonder."

There is always some vulnerable point in the strongest armor.

The Fox and the Turkeys.

[Illustration]

A Fox spied some turkeys roosting in a tree. He managed to attract
their attention and then ran about the tree, pretended to climb, walked
on his hind legs, and did all sorts of tricks. Filled with fear, the
Turkeys watched every one of his movements until they became dizzy, and,
one by one, fell from their safe perch.

By too much attention to danger, we may fall victims to it.

The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow.

[Illustration]

An Eagle had made her nest at the top of a lofty oak. A Cat, having
found a convenient hole, lived with her kittens in the middle of the
trunk; and a Wild Sow with her