ock (to the
sound of whose voice the Lion, it is said, has a singular aversion)
crowed loudly, and the Lion fled away. The Ass, observing his
trepidation at the mere crowing of a cock, summoned courage to attack
him, and galloped after him for that purpose. He had run no long
distance when the Lion, turning about, seized him and tore him to
pieces.

False confidence often leads into danger.

The Stag and the Fawn.

A Stag, grown old and mischievous, was, according to custom, stamping
with his foot, making offers with his head, and bellowing so terribly
that the whole herd quaked for fear of him; when one of the little
Fawns, coming up, addressed him thus: "Pray, what is the reason that
you, who are so formidable at all other times, if you do but hear the
cry of the hounds, are ready to fly out of your skin for fear?" "What
you observe is true," replied the Stag, "though I know not how to
account for it. I am indeed vigorous and able, and often resolve that
nothing shall ever dismay my courage; but, alas! I no sooner hear the
voice of a hound but my spirits fail me, and I cannot help making off as
fast as my legs can carry me."

The greatest braggarts are the greatest cowards.

The Partridge and the Fowler.

[Illustration]

A Fowler caught a Partridge, and was about to kill him. The Partridge
earnestly besought him to spare his life, saying: "Pray, master, permit
me to live, and I will entice many Partridges to you in recompense for
your mercy to me." The Fowler replied: "I shall now with the less
scruple take your life, because you are willing to save it at the cost
of betraying your friends and relations;" and without more ado he
twisted his neck and put him in his bag with his other game.

Those who would sacrifice their friends to save themselves from harm are
not entitled to mercy.

The Farmer and the Stork.

A Farmer placed his nets on his newly sown plough lands, and caught a
quantity of Cranes, which came to pick up his seed. With them he trapped
a Stork also. The Stork, having his leg fractured by the net, earnestly
besought the Farmer to spare his life. "Pray, save me, Master," he said,
"and let me go free this once. My broken limb should excite your pity.
Besides, I am no Crane, I am a Stork, a bird of excellent character; and
see how I love and slave for my father and mother. Look too at my
feathers, they are not the least like to those of a Crane." The Farmer
laughed alo