stream close to her. The Ant, climbing on
to it, floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterwards a bird catcher
came close and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the
Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant, perceiving his design, stung
him in the foot. He suddenly threw down the twigs, and thereupon made
the Dove take wing.

The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its gratitude.

The Eagle and the Beetle.

[Illustration]

The Eagle and the Beetle were at enmity together, and they destroyed one
another's nests. The Eagle gave the first provocation in seizing upon
and in eating the young ones of the Beetle. The Beetle got by stealth at
the Eagle's eggs, and rolled them out of the nest, and followed the
Eagle even into the presence of Jupiter. On the Eagle making his
complaint, Jupiter ordered him to make his nest in his lap; and while
Jupiter had the eggs in his lap, the Beetle came flying about him, and
Jupiter, rising up unawares to drive him away from his head, threw down
the eggs, and broke them.

The weak often revenge themselves on those who use them ill, even though
they be the more powerful.

The Mule.

[Illustration]

A Mule, frolicsome from want of work and from overmuch corn, galloped
about in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself: "My father
surely was a high-mettled racer, and I am his own child in speed and
spirit." On the next day, being driven a long journey, and feeling very
weary, he exclaimed in a disconsolate tone: "I must have made a mistake;
my father, after all, could have been only an ass."

The Cat, the Weasel and the Rabbit.

[Illustration]

While a Rabbit was absent from his hole one day, a Weasel took
possession of it. On the Rabbit's return, seeing the Weasel's nose
sticking out, he said: "You must leave this hole immediately. There is
only room for one, and it has always belonged to me and my fathers
before me." "The more reason that you should give it up now," said the
Weasel, "and leave its possession to me." As they could not settle the
dispute, they agreed to leave the question of ownership to a wise old
Cat, to whom they went without more ado. "I am deaf," said the Cat. "Put
your noses close to my ears." No sooner had they done so, than she
clapped a paw upon each of them, and killed them both.

The strong are apt to settle all questions by the rule of might.

[Illustration]

The Rat and the Fro