uch a one would dare to
tell lies. But, Mr. Wolf, there is one reason why I shall be sorry to
die. You may not have heard of it, but it is true nevertheless that I am
a famous songster, and it will be indeed a pity that a gift so rare
should be lost. Will you do me one last favour, and let me sing you a
song before I die? I am sure it will delight you, and you will enjoy
eating me all the more afterwards."

The Wolf was very much pleased at the Goat's politeness. "Well," said
he, "since you are so kind as to offer, I should like to hear what you
can do in the way of music."

"All right," said our Goat, "just sit down on that hillock yonder, and
I'll stay here; it won't sound so nice if I am too near you."

The Wolf trotted off to the hillock, and sat down, and waited for the
Goat to begin her song.

The Goat opened her mouth, and uttered a loud "Baa-baa-baa!"

"Is that all?" asked the Wolf. He was rather disappointed, but he did
not say so, for fear of being thought an ignorant lout.

"Oh no," said the Goat, "that was only tuning up, to get the pitch."
Then she cried again, "Baa-baa-baa," louder than before.

Meanwhile the Shepherd was not far off, and he
heard this loud Baa-baa of one of his goats. "Hullo,"
thought he, "what's up, I wonder?" and set off
running in the direction of the sound. Just as the
Wolf was getting impatient, and the Goat was opening
her mouth for another Baa-baa, up came the Shepherd,
behind the Wolf. Thwack, thwack, thwack! came his
stick on the stupid Wolf, and with a groan the Wolf
turned over and died on the spot. The Shepherd
and his wise old Goat trudged happily home
to the sheepfold, and after that the Goat
took good care to keep
with the flock.

[Illustration]

A Crow is a Crow for Ever

THERE once was a very learned Bishop, who was very fond of
bird's-nesting. One day he saw a fine large nest up in an elm-tree, and
when he had climbed up he saw that it was full of young Crow-chicks. One
of these chicks had such a winsome appearance, that the Bishop put him
inside his hat, and took him home to the Palace.

In due time the Crow grew up, and as he heard around him continually the
Bishop and his friends talking divinity, by degrees he became quite
clever in divinity himself. He knew all the kings of Israel and Judah,
and the cities of refug