l the jewels
in the world."

_Precious things are without value to those who cannot prize
them._

THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL

At a great celebration in honor of King Lion, the Monkey was
asked to dance for the company. His dancing was very clever
indeed, and the animals were all highly pleased with his grace
and lightness.

The praise that was showered on the Monkey made the Camel
envious. He was very sure that he could dance quite as well as
the Monkey, if not better, so he pushed his way into the crowd
that was gathered around the Monkey, and rising on his hind legs,
began to dance. But the big hulking Camel made himself very
ridiculous as he kicked out his knotty legs and twisted his long
clumsy neck. Besides, the animals found it hard to keep their
toes from under his heavy hoofs.

At last, when one of his huge feet came within an inch of King
Lion's nose, the animals were so disgusted that they set upon the
Camel in a rage and drove him out into the desert.

Shortly afterward, refreshments, consisting mostly of Camel's
hump and ribs, were served to the company.

_Do not try to ape your betters._

[Illustration]

THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX

A Wild Boar was sharpening his tusks busily against the stump of
a tree, when a Fox happened by. Now the Fox was always looking
for a chance to make fun of his neighbors. So he made a great
show of looking anxiously about, as if in fear of some hidden
enemy. But the Boar kept right on with his work.

"Why are you doing that?" asked the Fox at last with a grin.
"There isn't any danger that I can see."

"True enough," replied the Boar, "but when danger does come there
will not be time for such work as this. My weapons will have to
be ready for use then, or I shall suffer for it."

_Preparedness for war is the best guarantee of peace._

[Illustration]

THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION

An Ass and a Fox had become close comrades, and were constantly
in each other's company. While the Ass cropped a fresh bit of
greens, the Fox would devour a chicken from the neighboring
farmyard or a bit of cheese filched from the dairy. One day the
pair unexpectedly met a Lion. The Ass was very much frightened,
but the Fox calmed his fears.

"I will talk to him," he said.

So the Fox walked boldly up to the Lion.

"Your highness," he said in an undertone, so the Ass could not
hear him, "I've got a fine scheme in my head. If you promise not
to hurt me,