ks, that he was elected by a large majority; and the crown was
placed upon his head. The Fox, envious of this distinction, seeing, soon
after, a trap baited with a piece of meat, approached the new king, and
said with mock humility: "May it please your majesty, I have found on
your domain a treasure, to which, if you will deign to accompany me, I
will conduct you." The Ape thereupon set off with the Fox, and, on
arriving at the spot, laid his paw upon the meat. Snap! went the trap,
and caught him by the fingers. Mad with the shame and the pain, he
reproached the Fox for a false thief and a traitor. Reynard laughed
heartily, and said, with a sneer: "You a king, and not understand a
trap!"

The Lion and the Wolf.

A Wolf, roaming by the mountain's side, saw his own shadow, as the sun
was setting, become greatly extended and magnified, and he said to
himself: "Why should I, being of such an immense size, and extending
nearly an acre in length, be afraid of the Lion? Ought I not to be
acknowledged as King of all the collected beasts?" While he was
indulging in these proud thoughts, a Lion fell upon him, and killed him.
He exclaimed with a too-late repentance, "Wretched me! this
over-estimation of myself is the cause of my destruction."

It is not wise, to hold too exalted an opinion of one's self.

The Miller, his Son and their Ass.

[Illustration]

A miller and his Son were driving their Ass to a fair. On the way, they
met a troop of girls. "Look there!" cried one of them, "did you ever see
such fools, to be trudging along on foot when they might be riding?"
The old Man, hearing this, quietly bade his Son get on the Ass, and
walked along merrily by his side.

[Illustration]

Presently they came to a group of old men in earnest debate. "There!"
said one of them, "it proves what I was saying. What respect is shown to
old age in these days? Do you see that idle young rogue riding, while
his old father has to walk?--Get down, you scapegrace! and let the old
Man rest his weary limbs." Upon this the Father made his Son dismount,
and got up himself. In this manner they had not proceeded far when they
met a company of women and children. "Why, you lazy old fellow!" cried
several tongues at once, "how can you ride upon the beast, while that
poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you." The
good-natured Miller immediately took up his Son behind him. They had now
almost reached the town. "P