oolish Mouse, and a single growl from him sent them all scampering to
their holes.

Do not rely upon a boaster.

The Dogs and the Fox.

Some Dogs, finding the skin of a lion, began to tear it in pieces with
their teeth. A Fox, seeing them, said: "If this lion were alive, you
would soon find out that his claws were stronger than your teeth."

It is easy to kick a man that is down.

The Thief and the House-Dog.

[Illustration]

A Thief came in the night to break into a house. He brought with him
several slices of meat, that he might pacify the House-dog, so that he
should not alarm his master by barking. As the Thief threw him the
pieces of meat, the Dog said: "If you think to stop my mouth, to relax
my vigilance, or even to gain my regard by these gifts, you will be
greatly mistaken. This sudden kindness at your hands will only make me
more watchful, lest under these unexpected favors to myself you have
some private ends to accomplish for your own benefit, and for my
master's injury. Besides, this is not the time that I am usually fed,
which makes me all the more suspicions of your intentions."

He who offers bribes needs watching, for his intentions are not honest.

The Sick Stag.

[Illustration]

A sick Stag lay down in a quiet corner of his pasture-ground. His
companions came in great numbers to inquire after his health, and each
one helped himself to a share of the food which had been placed for his
use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but from the failure of the
means of living.

Evil companions bring more hurt than profit.

The Fowler and the Ringdove.

A Fowler took his gun, and went into the woods a shooting. He spied a
Ringdove among the branches of an oak, and intended to kill it. He
clapped the piece to his shoulder, and took his aim accordingly. But,
just as he was going to pull the trigger, an adder, which he had trod
upon under the grass, stung him so painfully in the leg that he was
forced to quit his design, and threw his gun down in a passion. The
poison immediately infected his blood, and his whole body began to
mortify; which, when he perceived, he could not help owning it to be
just. "Fate," said he, "has brought destruction upon me while I was
contriving the death of another."

Men often fall into the trap which they prepare for others.

The Kid and the Wolf.

[Illustration]

A Kid, returning without protection from the pasture,