walked away.

The Man in the tree climbed down.

"It looked just as if that Bear whispered in your ear," he said.
"What did he tell you?"

"He said," answered the other, "that it was not at all wise to
keep company with a fellow who would desert his friend in a
moment of danger."

_Misfortune is the test of true friendship._

THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES

A Porcupine was looking for a good home. At last he found a
little sheltered cave, where lived a family of Snakes. He asked
them to let him share the cave with them, and the Snakes kindly
consented.

The Snakes soon wished they had not given him permission to stay.
His sharp quills pricked them at every turn, and at last they
politely asked him to leave.

"I am very well satisfied, thank you," said the Porcupine. "I
intend to stay right here." And with that, he politely escorted
the Snakes out of doors. And to save their skins, the Snakes had
to look for another home.

_Give a finger and lose a hand._

THE FOX AND THE MONKEY

At a great meeting of the Animals, who had gathered to elect a
new ruler, the Monkey was asked to dance. This he did so well,
with a thousand funny capers and grimaces, that the Animals were
carried entirely off their feet with enthusiasm, and then and
there, elected him their king.

[Illustration]

The Fox did not vote for the Monkey and was much disgusted with
the Animals for electing so unworthy a ruler.

One day he found a trap with a bit of meat in it. Hurrying to
King Monkey, he told him he had found a rich treasure, which he
had not touched because it belonged by right to his majesty the
Monkey.

The greedy Monkey followed the Fox to the trap. As soon as he saw
the meat he grasped eagerly for it, only to find himself held
fast in the trap. The Fox stood off and laughed.

"You pretend to be our king," he said, "and cannot even take care
of yourself!"

Shortly after that, another election among the Animals was held.

_The true leader proves himself by his qualities._

[Illustration]

THE MOTHER AND THE WOLF

Early one morning a hungry Wolf was prowling around a cottage at
the edge of a village, when he heard a child crying in the house.
Then he heard the Mother's voice say:

"Hush, child, hush! Stop your crying, or I will give you to the
Wolf!"

Surprised but delighted at the prospect of so delicious a meal,
the Wolf settled down under an open window, expecting every
moment to have