TWO

THE TWO FOXES

WO Foxes formed a plan to rob a hen-roost, and succeeded in its execution. They killed the cock, the hens, and the chickens, and then began to eat them with great delight. One of the Foxes, who was young and inconsiderate, was for devouring them all at once; the other, who was old and covetous, proposed to save some of them for another time. "For experience, child," said he," has made me wise, and I have seen many unexpected events since I came into the world. Let us provide, therefore, against what may happen, and not consume all our stores at one meal." "All this is wondrous wise," replied the young Fox, "but for my part I am resolved not to stir until I have eaten as much as will serve me a whole week; for who would be mad enough to return hither, where it is certain the owner of these fowls will watch for us, and if he should catch us would certainly put us to death?" After this short discourse, each pursued his own scheme. The young Fox ate till he burst himself, and had scarcely strength to reach his hole before he died. The old one, who thought it much better to deny his appetite for the present, and lay up provision for the future, returned the next day, and was killed by the farmer. Thus every age has its peculiar vice: the young suffer by their insatiable thirst after pleasure, and the old by their incorrigible and inordinate avarice.

THE CONCEITED OWL

YOUNG Owl, having acci

dentally seen himself in a crystal fountain, conceived the highest opinion of his personal perfections. "'Tis time," said he, "that Hymen should give me children as beautiful as myself, to be the glory of the night and the ornament of our groves. What a pity it would be if the race of the most accomplished of birds should become extinct for my want of a mate! Happy the fe

Full

male who is destined to spend her life with me!" of these self-approving thoughts, he entreated the Crow to propose a match between him and the royal daughter of the Eagle. "Do you imagine," said the Crow, "that the noble Eagle, whose pride it is to gaze on the brightest of the heavenly luminaries, will consent to marry his daughter to you, who cannot so much as open your eyes while it is daylight?" But the self-conceited Owl was deaf to all that his friend could urge; who, after much persuasion, was at length prevailed upon to undertake the commission. His proposal was received in the manner that might be expected: the king of birds laughed him to scorn. However, being a monarch of

some humor, he ordered him to acquaint the Owl that if he would meet him the next morning at sunrise in the middle of the sky he would consent to give him his daughter in marriage. The presumptuous Owl undertook to perform the condition; but being dazzled with the sun, and his head growing giddy, he fell from his height upon a rock, from whence being pursued by a flock of birds, he was glad at last to make his escape into the hollow of an old oak, where he passed the remainder of his days in that obscurity for which nature designed him.

THE LION AND THE COUNCIL OF

BEASTS

A

CERTAIN Lion, who reigned the absolute tyrant of the forest, on a time arbitrarily proposed to exact from his slavish subjects a sufficient part of their daily prey for his own maintenance, that he might not himself toil for his subsistence; and that every Beast should contribute according to his means in the form of a tax; but how to adjust this impost was the difficulty. The Tiger was the first who gave his opinion on this knotty point, saying that the properest and justest way would be to lay a tax on vice, and that each Beast should settle the quantity for his neighbor, as by that means it would prevent any selfish partiality. "No, no," said the Elephant," that will never be just, as it will give

power to ill-will and oppression. The best manner, in my judgment, would be to lay a tax on virtues, and leave it to every one to give in a catalogue of his own, and then there is very little doubt but it would prove the means of raising a most ample and rich exchequer."

THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE ASS

AN

N Ass and a Fox were rambling through a forest one day, when they were met by a Lion. The Fox was seized with great fear, and taking the first opportunity of getting the ear of the Lion, thought to obtain his own safety at the expense of his companion. "Sire," said he, "yon same Ass is young and plump, and if your Majesty would care to make a dinner off him, I know how he might be caught without much trouble. There is a pitfall not far away, into which I can easily lead him." The Lion agreed, and seeing the Ass securely taken, he began his dinner by devouring the traitorous Fox, reserving the Ass to be eaten at his leisure.

THE END