filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed
and disappointed he began to cry.

"My boy," said his mother, "be satisfied with half the nuts you
have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps
you may have some more filberts some other time."

_Do not attempt too much at once._

HERCULES AND THE WAGONER

A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a
heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the
deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels
sank to the hub in a rut.

The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon
looking at it but without making the least effort to get it out
of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call loudly
on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules really
did appear, saying:

"Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do
you think you can move the wagon by simply looking at it and
whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make some
effort to help yourself."

And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on
the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the Farmer was
riding along in great content and with a good lesson learned.

_Self help is the best help._

_Heaven helps those who help themselves._

[Illustration]

THE KID AND THE WOLF

A frisky young Kid had been left by the herdsman on the thatched
roof of a sheep shelter to keep him out of harm's way. The Kid
was browsing near the edge of the roof, when he spied a Wolf and
began to jeer at him, making faces and abusing him to his heart's
content.

"I hear you," said the Wolf, "and I haven't the least grudge
against you for what you say or do. When you are up there it is
the roof that's talking, not you."

_Do not say anything at any time that you would not say at all
times._

[Illustration]

THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE

A Town Mouse once visited a relative who lived in the country.
For lunch the Country Mouse served wheat stalks, roots, and
acorns, with a dash of cold water for drink. The Town Mouse ate
very sparingly, nibbling a little of this and a little of that,
and by her manner making it very plain that she ate the simple
food only to be polite.

After the meal the friends had a long talk, or rather the Town
Mouse talked about her life in the city while the Country Mouse
listened. They then went to bed in