ose who enter by the back stairs must not complain if they are thrown
out by the window.

The Frogs Asking for a King.

[Illustration]

The Frogs, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to
Jupiter entreating for a King. He, perceiving their simplicity, cast
down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs, terrified at the splash
occasioned by its fall, hid themselves in the depth of the pool. But no
sooner did they see that the huge log continued motionless, than they
swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, and came so
to despise it as to climb up, and to squat upon it. After some time they
began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a
Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set
over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern them.
When the Frogs discovered his easy good-nature, they yet a third time
sent to Jupiter to beg that he would once more choose for them another
King. Jupiter, displeased at their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed
upon the Frogs day by day, till there were none left to complain.

When you seek to change your condition, be sure that you can better it.

The Prophet.

A Wizard, sitting in the market-place, told the fortunes of the
passers-by. A person ran up in great haste, and announced to him that
the doors of his house had been broken open, and that all his goods
were being stolen. He sighed heavily, and hastened away as fast as he
could run. A neighbor saw him running, and said: "Oh! you follow those?
you say you can foretell the fortunes of others; how is it you did not
foresee your own?"

The Dog and his Master's Dinner.

[Illustration]

A Dog had been taught to take his master's dinner to him every day. As
he smelled the good things in the basket, he was sorely tempted to taste
them, but he resisted the temptation and continued day after day to
carry the basket faithfully. One day all the dogs in the neighborhood
followed him with longing eyes and greedy jaws, and tried to steal the
dinner from the basket. At first the faithful dog tried to run away
from them, but they pressed him so close that at last he stopped to
argue with them. This was what the thieves desired, and they soon
ridiculed him to that extent that he said: "Very well, I will divide
with you," and he seized the best piece of chicken in the basket, and
left the rest for the others to enjoy.