t was enough to hang anyone for, much more an Ass.

Immediately they all fell upon him, the Wolf in the lead, and
soon had made an end to him, sacrificing him to the gods then and
there, and without the formality of an altar.

_The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful._

THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION

A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a number
of them were missing.

Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he
would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The Shepherd
suspected a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region
among the hills, where there were caves infested by Wolves. But
before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he would
help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a sacrifice.

[Illustration]

The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves, but
just as he was passing near a large cave on the mountain side, a
huge Lion stalked out, carrying a Sheep. In great terror the
Shepherd fell on his knees.

"Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find the
thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a
full-grown Bull, if you but make the thief go away!"

_We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have found
it._

_Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they
were granted._

[Illustration]

THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home
with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow
footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in
the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he
saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.

If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But
instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in
the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach
the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood
sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what
a stupid Dog he had been.

_It is very foolish to be greedy._

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.

"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.

"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you
think. I'll run you a race and prove it."

The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race