t monster once go,
and I will soon let you know what is the respective strength of a Goat
and a Bull."

It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress.

The Lion and the Mouse.

[Illustration]

A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising
up in anger, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse
piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would
be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It
happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters,
who bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his
roar, came up and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and, setting him
free, exclaimed: "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help
you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; but
now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on
a Lion."

No one is too weak to do good.

The Horse and the Ass.

A Horse, proud of his fine trappings, met an Ass on the highway. The Ass
being heavily laden moved slowly out of the way. "Hardly," said the
Horse, "can I resist kicking you with my heels." The Ass held his peace,
and made only a silent appeal to the justice of the gods. Not long
afterward, the Horse, having become broken-winded, was sent by his owner
to the farm. The Ass, seeing him drawing a dung-cart, thus derided him.
"Where, O boaster, are now all thy gay trappings, thou who art thyself
reduced to the condition you so lately treated with contempt?"

The Old Hound.

[Illustration]

A Hound, who in the days of his youth and strength had never yielded to
any beast of the forest, encountered in his old age a boar in the chase.
He seized him boldly by the ear, but could not retain his hold because
of the decay of his teeth, so that the boar escaped. His master, quickly
coming up, was very much disappointed, and fiercely abused the dog. The
Hound looked up and said: "It was not my fault, master; my spirit was as
good as ever, but I could not help mine infirmities. I rather deserve
to be praised for what I have been, than to be blamed for what I am."

No one should be blamed for his infirmities.

The Crow and the Pitcher.

[Illustration]

A Crow, perishing with thirst, saw a pitcher, and, hoping to find water,
flew to it with great delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his
grief that it containe