The fox made a hearty breakfast on it, saying, "_The fool's ear
was made for the knave's tongue_."
* * * * *
THE BIRDS AND THE LIME
A fowler in the East once went to a wood, scattered some grain on the
ground, spread a net over it with some lime in it, and was watching
from a distance to see what luck would attend his efforts.
A great many birds assembled on the trees around the net, and said,
"What fine corn that is! We can seldom hope to get anything like it."
An owl that was close by said, "How nice that white thing in the net
is!"
"What is it?" said the birds.
"Why, it is our best friend in the world; it is lime. When it holds us
in its embrace, we can never hope to get away."
The birds left the place at once. Said the fowler, "_A clever bird
knows the lime_!"
* * * * *
THE RAVEN AND THE CATTLE
One evening, as some cattle were wending their way home, a raven rode
on the horns of a bull in the herd; and as he approached the cottage,
cried to the farmer, "Friend, my work for the day is over; you may now
take charge of your cattle."
"What was your work?" asked the farmer.
Pages:
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277