ed hard and chased a long way, saw a Countryman
at work in a wood and begged his assistance to some hiding-place. The
man said he might go into his cottage, which was close by.

He was no sooner in than the huntsmen came up. "Have you seen a Fox
pass this way?" said they. The Countryman said "No," but pointed at
the same time toward the place where the Fox lay. The huntsmen did not
take the hint, however, and made off again at full speed.

The Fox, who had seen all that took place through a chink in the wall,
thereupon came out and was walking away without a word.

"Why, how now!" said the Countryman, "haven't you the manners to thank
your host before you go?"

"Nay, nay," said the Fox; "if you had been as honest with your finger
as you were with your tongue, I shouldn't have gone without saying
good-bye."

Belling the Cat

A certain Cat that lived in a large country house was so vigilant and
active in the performance of her duties that the Mice, finding their
numbers grievously thinned, held a council with closed doors to
consider what they had best do.

Many plans had been started and dismissed, when a young Mouse, rising
and catching the eye of the President, said that he had a proposal to
make that he was sure must meet with the approval of all. "If," said
he, "the Cat should wear around her neck a little bell, every step she
took would make it tinkle; then, ever forewarned of her approach, we
should have time to reach our holes. By this simple means we should
live in safety and defy her power."

The speaker resumed his seat with a complacent air, and a murmur of
applause arose from the audience.

An old gray Mouse, with a merry twinkle in his eye, now got up and said
that the plan of the last speaker was an admirable one, but he feared
it had one drawback. He had not told them who should put the bell
around the Cat's neck!

The Old Woman and Her Maids

A certain Old Woman had several Maids, whom she used to call to their
work every morning at the crowing of the Cock.

The Maids, finding it grievous to have their sweet sleep disturbed so
early, killed the Cock, thinking that when he was quiet they might
enjoy their warm beds a little longer.

The Old Woman, however, vexed at the loss of the Cock, and suspecting
them to be concerned in his death, from that time made them rise soon
after midnight!

The Dog in the Manger

There was once a Dog who lay all day long in a manger where