"the Wolf has promised
to be my surety."

"The Wolf!" exclaimed the Sheep indignantly. "Do you think I
would trust you on such security? I know the Wolf! He takes what
he wants and runs off with it without paying. As for you, you can
use your legs so well that I should have little chance of
collecting the debt if I had to catch you for it!"

_Two blacks do not make a white._

[Illustration]

THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE

Once upon a time a severe plague raged among the animals. Many
died, and those who lived were so ill, that they cared for
neither food nor drink, and dragged themselves about listlessly.
No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to dinner, nor a
tender lamb rouse greedy Sir Wolf's appetite.

At last the Lion decided to call a council. When all the animals
were gathered together he arose and said:

"Dear friends, I believe the gods have sent this plague upon us
as a punishment for our sins. Therefore, the most guilty one of
us must be offered in sacrifice. Perhaps we may thus obtain
forgiveness and cure for all.

"I will confess all _my_ sins first. I admit that I have been
very greedy and have devoured many sheep. They had done me no
harm. I have eaten goats and bulls and stags. To tell the truth,
I even ate up a shepherd now and then.

"Now, if I am the most guilty, I am ready to be sacrificed. But I
think it best that each one confess his sins as I have done. Then
we can decide in all justice who is the most guilty."

"Your majesty," said the Fox, "you are too good. Can it be a
crime to eat sheep, such stupid mutton heads? No, no, your
majesty. You have done them great honor by eating them up.

"And so far as shepherds are concerned, we all know they belong
to that puny race that pretends to be our masters."

All the animals applauded the Fox loudly. Then, though the Tiger,
the Bear, the Wolf, and all the savage beasts recited the most
wicked deeds, all were excused and made to appear very saint-like
and innocent.

It was now the Ass's turn to confess.

"I remember," he said guiltily, "that one day as I was passing a
field belonging to some priests, I was so tempted by the tender
grass and my hunger, that I could not resist nibbling a bit of
it. I had no right to do it, I admit--"

A great uproar among the beasts interrupted him. Here was the
culprit who had brought misfortune on all of them! What a
horrible crime it was to eat grass that belonged to someone else!
I