25. The Mountain in Labor
A MOUNTAIN was once greatly agitated.
Loud groans and noises were heard, and crowds of people came from all parts to see what was the matter.
While they were assembled in anxious expectation of some terrible calamity, out came a Mouse.
Don't make much ado about nothing.
26. The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
THE ASS and the Fox, having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt.
They had not proceeded far when they met a Lion.
The Fox, seeing imminent danger, approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox.
Then, upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured, the Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it.
The Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutched the Fox, and attacked the Ass at his leisure.
27. The Tortoise and the Eagle
A TORTOISE, lazily basking in the sun, complained to the sea-birds of her hard fate, that no one would teach her to fly.
An Eagle, hovering near, heard her lamentation and demanded what reward she would give him if he would take her aloft and float her in the air.
"I will give you," she said, "all the riches of the Red Sea."
"I will teach you to fly then," said the Eagle; and taking her up in his talons he carried her almost to the clouds suddenly he let her go, and she fell on a lofty mountain, dashing her shell to pieces.
The Tortoise exclaimed in the moment of death:
"I have deserved my present fate; for what had I to do with wings and clouds, who can with difficulty move about on the earth?'
If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined. |
