of the forest gave a splendid entertainment, at which the
Monkey stood up and danced. Having vastly delighted the assembly, he sat
down amidst universal applause. The Camel, envious of the praises
bestowed on the Monkey, and desirous to divert to himself the favor of
the guests, proposed to stand up in his turn, and dance for their
amusement. He moved about in so very ridiculous a manner, that the
Beasts, in a fit of indignation, set upon him with clubs, and drove him
out of the assembly.

It is absurd to ape our betters.

The Rat and the Elephant.

[Illustration]

A Rat, traveling on the highway, met a huge elephant, bearing his royal
master and his suite, and also his favorite cat and dog, and parrot and
monkey. The great beast and his attendants were followed by an admiring
crowd, taking up all of the road. "What fools you are," said the Rat to
the people, "to make such a hubbub over an elephant. Is it his great
bulk that you so much admire? It can only frighten little boys and
girls, and I can do that as well. I am a beast; as well as he, and have
as many legs and ears and eyes. He has no right to take up all the
highway, which belongs as much to me as to him." At this moment, the cat
spied the rat, and, jumping to the ground, soon convinced him that he
was not an elephant.

Because we are like the great in one respect we must not think we are
like them in all.

The Fisherman Piping.

[Illustration]

A Fisherman skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the
sea-shore. Standing on a projecting rock he played several tunes, in the
hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord
dance into his net, which he had placed below. At last, having long
waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the
sea, made an excellent haul.

The Wolf and the House-dog.

[Illustration]

A Wolf, meeting with a big, well-fed Mastiff, having a wooden collar
about his neck, inquired of him who it was that fed him so well, and yet
compelled him to drag that heavy log about wherever he went. "The
master," he replied. Then, said the Wolf: "May no friend of mine ever be
in such a plight; for the weight of this chain is enough to spoil the
appetite."

Nothing can compensate us for the loss of our liberty.

The Eagle and the Kite.

[Illustration]

An Eagle, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the branches of a tree, in
company with a Kite. "Why," s