_Do not depend on the promises of those whose interest it is to deceive you._
_Take what you can get when you can get it._
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THE FOX AND THE LION
A very young Fox, who had never before seen a Lion, happened to meet one in the forest. A single look was enough to send the Fox off at top speed for the nearest hiding place.
The second time the Fox saw the Lion he stopped behind a tree to look at him a moment before slinking away. But the third time, the Fox went boldly up to the Lion and, without turning a hair, said, "h.e.l.lo, there, old top."
_Familiarity breeds contempt._
_Acquaintance with evil blinds us to its dangers._
THE LION AND THE a.s.s
A Lion and an a.s.s agreed to go hunting together. In their search for game the hunters saw a number of Wild Goats run into a cave, and laid plans to catch them. The a.s.s was to go into the cave and drive the Goats out, while the Lion would stand at the entrance to strike them down.
The plan worked beautifully. The a.s.s made such a frightful din in the cave, kicking and braying with all his might, that the Goats came running out in a panic of fear, only to fall victim to the Lion.
The a.s.s came proudly out of the cave.
"Did you see how I made them run?" he said.
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"Yes, indeed," answered the Lion, "and if I had not known you and your kind I should certainly have run, too."
_The loud-mouthed boaster does not impress nor frighten those who know him._
THE DOG AND HIS MASTER"S DINNER
A Dog had learned to carry his master"s dinner to him every day.
He was very faithful to his duty, though the smell of the good things in the basket tempted him.
The Dogs in the neighborhood noticed him carrying the basket and soon discovered what was in it. They made several attempts to steal it from him. But he always guarded it faithfully.
Then one day all the Dogs in the neighborhood got together and met him on his way with the basket. The Dog tried to run away from them. But at last he stopped to argue.
That was his mistake. They soon made him feel so ridiculous that he dropped the basket and seized a large piece of roast meat intended for his master"s dinner.
"Very well," he said, "you divide the rest."
_Do not stop to argue with temptation._
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THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED FEATHERS
A Jackdaw chanced to fly over the garden of the King"s palace.
There he saw with much wonder and envy a flock of royal Peac.o.c.ks in all the glory of their splendid plumage.
Now the black Jackdaw was not a very handsome bird, nor very refined in manner. Yet he imagined that all he needed to make himself fit for the society of the Peac.o.c.ks was a dress like theirs. So he picked up some castoff feathers of the Peac.o.c.ks and stuck them among his own black plumes.
Dressed in his borrowed finery he strutted loftily among the birds of his own kind. Then he flew down into the garden among the Peac.o.c.ks. But they soon saw who he was. Angry at the cheat, they flew at him, plucking away the borrowed feathers and also some of his own.
The poor Jackdaw returned sadly to his former companions. There another unpleasant surprise awaited him. They had not forgotten his superior airs toward them, and, to punish him, they drove him away with a rain of pecks and jeers.
_Borrowed feathers do not make fine birds._
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THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN
It happened once upon a time that a certain Greek ship bound for Athens was wrecked off the coast close to Piraeus, the port of Athens. Had it not been for the Dolphins, who at that time were very friendly toward mankind and especially toward Athenians, all would have perished. But the Dolphins took the shipwrecked people on their backs and swam with them to sh.o.r.e.
Now it was the custom among the Greeks to take their pet monkeys and dogs with them whenever they went on a voyage. So when one of the Dolphins saw a Monkey struggling in the water, he thought it was a man, and made the Monkey climb up on his back. Then off he swam with him toward the sh.o.r.e.
The Monkey sat up, grave and dignified, on the Dolphin"s back.
"You are a citizen of ill.u.s.trious Athens, are you not?" asked the Dolphin politely.
"Yes," answered the Monkey, proudly. "My family is one of the n.o.blest in the city."
"Indeed," said the Dolphin. "Then of course you often visit Piraeus."