THE FOX AND THE

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GRAPES

HUNGRY Fox one day saw some tempting Grapes hanging at a good height from the ground. He made many attempts to reach them, but all in vain. Tired out by his failures, he walked off, grumbling to himself, Nasty, sour things, I know you are, and not at all fit for a gentleman's eating."

"It is easy to despise what

you cannot get."

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THE FOX AND THE STORK

FOX one day invited a Stork to dine with him, and, wishing to be amused at his expense, put the soup which he had for dinner in a large flat dish, so that, while he himself could lap it up quite well, the Stork could only dip in the tips of his long bill. Some time after, the Stork, bearing his treatment in mind, invited the Fox to take dinner with him. He, in his turn, put some minced meat in a long and narrow-necked vessel, into which he could easily put his bill, while Master Fox was forced to be content with licking what ran down the sides of the vessel. The Fox then remembered his old trick, and could not but admit that the Stork had well paid him off. "I will not apologize for the dinner,"

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THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

WOLF, wrapping himself in the skin of a Sheep,

by that means got admission into a sheepfold, where he devoured several of the young Lambs. The Shepherd, however, soon found him out and hung him up to a tree, still in his assumed disguise. Some other Shepherds, passing that way, thought it was a sheep hanging, and cried to their friend, "What, brother ! is that the way you serve Sheep in this part of the country?" "No, friends," cried he, giving at the same time the carcass a swing round, so that they might see what it was, "but it is the way to serve Wolves, even though they be dressed in Sheep's clothing."

Appearances are deceptive."

THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF

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MISCHIEVOUS Lad, who was sent to mind some Sheep, used, in jest, to cry "Wolf! Wolf!" When the people at work in the neighboring fields came running to the spot he would laugh at them for their pains. One day the Wolf came in reality, and the Boy, this time, called "Wolf! Wolf!" in earnest; but the Men, having been so often deceived, disregarded his cries, and the Sheep were left at the mercy of the Wolf. "A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth."

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THE FROG AND THE MOUSE

FROG and a Mouse, who had long been rivals for

the sovereignty of a certain marsh, and had many a skirmish and running fight together, agreed one day to settle the matter, once for all, by a fair and open combat. They met, and each, armed with the point. of a bulrush for a spear, was ready, if need be, to fight to the death. The fight began in earnest, and there is no knowing how it might have ended had not a Kite, seeing them from afar, pounced down and carried off both heroes in her talons.

THE TWO TRAVELLERS

AS two men were travelling through a wood, one of

them took up an axe which he saw lying upon the ground. "Look here," said he to his companion, “I have found an axe." "Don't say 'I have found it,' says the other, " but "We have found it.' As we are companions, we ought to share it between us.' The first would not, however, consent. They had not gone far when they heard the owner of the axe calling after them in a great passion. "We are in for it!" said he who had the axe. "Nay," answered the other, " say 'I'm in for it! -not we. You would not let me share the prize, and I am not going to share the danger."

THE COCK AND THE FOX

A COCK, perched among the branches of a lofty tree,

crowed aloud. The shrillness of his voice echoed

through the wood, and the well-known note brought a Fox, who was prowling in quest of prey, to the spot. Reynard, seeing the Cock was at a great height, set his wits to work to find some way of bringing him down. He saluted the bird in his mildest voice, and said: "Have you not heard, cousin, of the proclamation of universal peace and harmony among all kinds of beasts and birds? We are no longer to prey upon and devour one another, but love and friendship are to be the order