down at noon under the widespreading branches of a Plane-Tree. As they
rested under its shade, one of the Travelers said to the other, "What a
singularly useless tree is the Plane! It bears no fruit, and is not of
the least service to man." The Plane-Tree, interrupting him, said, "You
ungrateful fellows! Do you, while receiving benefits from me and resting
under my shade, dare to describe me as useless, and unprofitable?"

Some men underrate their best blessings.

The Hares and the Frogs

THE HARES, oppressed by their own exceeding timidity and weary of the
perpetual alarm to which they were exposed, with one accord determined
to put an end to themselves and their troubles by jumping from a lofty
precipice into a deep lake below. As they scampered off in large numbers
to carry out their resolve, the Frogs lying on the banks of the lake
heard the noise of their feet and rushed helter-skelter to the deep
water for safety. On seeing the rapid disappearance of the Frogs, one of
the Hares cried out to his companions: "Stay, my friends, do not do as
you intended; for you now see that there are creatures who are still
more timid than ourselves."

The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant

THE LION wearied Jupiter with his frequent complaints. "It is true, O
Jupiter!" he said, "that I am gigantic in strength, handsome in shape,
and powerful in attack. I have jaws well provided with teeth, and feet
furnished with claws, and I lord it over all the beasts of the forest,
and what a disgrace it is, that being such as I am, I should be
frightened by the crowing of a cock." Jupiter replied, "Why do you blame
me without a cause? I have given you all the attributes which I possess
myself, and your courage never fails you except in this one instance."
On hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented very much and, reproaching
himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die. As these thoughts
passed through his mind, he met an Elephant and came close to hold a
conversation with him. After a time he observed that the Elephant shook
his ears very often, and he inquired what was the matter and why his
ears moved with such a tremor every now and then. Just at that moment
a Gnat settled on the head of the Elephant, and he replied, "Do you see
that little buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed. I
should die presently." The Lion said, "Well, since so huge a beast is
afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor