to go away,
and that very evening the Wolves had the grandest feast of their
lives.

_Do not give up friends for foes._

THE COCK AND THE FOX

A Fox was caught in a trap one fine morning, because he had got
too near the Farmer's hen house. No doubt he was hungry, but that
was not an excuse for stealing. A Cock, rising early, discovered
what had happened. He knew the Fox could not get at him, so he
went a little closer to get a good look at his enemy.

The Fox saw a slender chance of escape.

"Dear friend," he said, "I was just on my way to visit a sick
relative, when I stumbled into this string and got all tangled
up. But please do not tell anybody about it. I dislike causing
sorrow to anybody, and I am sure I can soon gnaw this string to
pieces."

But the Cock was not to be so easily fooled. He soon roused the
whole hen yard, and when the Farmer came running out, that was
the end of Mr. Fox.

_The wicked deserve no aid._

THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN

An Ass found a Lion's skin left in the forest by a hunter. He
dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a thicket
and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that way. All
took to their heels the moment they saw him.

[Illustration]

The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away from him,
just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not keep from
expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. A Fox, who ran with
the rest, stopped short as soon as he heard the voice. Approaching
the Ass, he said with a laugh:

"If you had kept your mouth shut you might have frightened me,
too. But you gave yourself away with that silly bray."

_A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his words
will soon show what he really is._

[Illustration]

THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH

A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had bad luck
one day and caught nothing but a very small fry. The Fisherman
was about to put it in his basket when the little Fish said:

"Please spare me, Mr. Fisherman! I am so small it is not worth
while to carry me home. When I am bigger, I shall make you a much
better meal."

But the Fisherman quickly put the fish into his basket.

"How foolish I should be," he said, "to throw you back. However
small you may be, you are better than nothing at all."

_A small gain is worth more than a large promise._

THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE

Once there were t