ur own
lame gait and wrinkled skin?"

Those who pretend that they can mend others should first mend
themselves, and then they will be more readily believed.

The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion.

[Illustration]

The Ass and the Fox, having entered into a partnership together, went
out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far, when they met a
Lion. The Fox approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the
capture of the Ass, if he would pledge his word that his own life should
be spared. On his assuring him that he would not injure him, the Fox led
the Ass to a deep pit, and contrived that he should fall into it. The
Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutched the Fox,
and then attacked the Ass at his leisure.

Traitors must expect treachery.

The Wolf and the Sheep.

[Illustration]

A Wolf, being sick and maimed, called to a Sheep, who was passing, and
asked him to fetch some water from the stream. "For," he said, "if you
will bring me drink, I will find means to provide myself with meat."
"Yes," said the Sheep, "if I should bring you the draught, you would
doubtless make me provide the meat also."

Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.

The Cock and the Jewel.

[Illustration]

A Cock, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious
stone; on which he said: "If thy owner had found thee, and not I, he
would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I
have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than
all the jewels in the world."

The Two Pots.

[Illustration]

A river carried down in its stream two Pots, one made of earthenware,
and the other of brass. As they floated along on the surface of the
stream, the Earthen Pot said to the Brass Pot: "Pray keep at a distance,
and do not come near me, for if you touch me ever so slightly, I shall
be broken in pieces; and besides, I by no means wish to come near you."

Equals make the best friends.

The Gnat and the Lion.

A Gnat came and said to a Lion: "I do not the least fear you, nor are
you stronger than I am. For in what does your strength consist? You can
scratch with your claws, and bite with your teeth--so can a woman in her
quarrels. I repeat that I am altogether more powerful than you; and if
you doubt it, let us fight and see who will conquer." The Gnat, having
sounded his horn, fastened itself upon the Lion, an