stream
where the Tanner had put them to soak. A fine hide makes an
excellent meal for a hungry Dog, but the water was deep and the
Dogs could not reach the hides from the bank. So they held a
council and decided that the very best thing to do was to drink
up the river.

All fell to lapping up the water as fast as they could. But
though they drank and drank until, one after another, all of them
had burst with drinking, still, for all their effort, the water
in the river remained as high as ever.

_Do not try to do impossible things._

THE RABBIT, THE WEASEL, AND THE CAT

A Rabbit left his home one day for a dinner of clover. But he
forgot to latch the door of his house and while he was gone a
Weasel walked in and calmly made himself at home. When the Rabbit
returned, there was the Weasel's nose sticking out of the
Rabbit's own doorway, sniffing the fine air.

The Rabbit was quite angry--for a Rabbit--, and requested the
Weasel to move out. But the Weasel was perfectly content. He was
settled down for good.

[Illustration]

A wise old Cat heard the dispute and offered to settle it.

"Come close to me," said the Cat, "I am very deaf. Put your
mouths close to my ears while you tell me the facts."

The unsuspecting pair did as they were told and in an instant the
Cat had them both under her claws. No one could deny that the
dispute had been definitely settled.

_The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage._

[Illustration]

THE BEAR AND THE BEES

A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a
fallen tree in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey. The
Bear began to nose around the log very carefully to find out if
the Bees were at home. Just then one of the swarm came home from
the clover field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the Bear
was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply and then
disappeared into the hollow log.

The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the log
tooth and claw, to destroy the nest. But this only brought out
the whole swarm. The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he
was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.

_It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a
thousand by flying into a rage._

THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD

A Fox and a Leopard, resting lazily after a generous dinner,
amused themselves by disputing about their good looks. The
Leopard was very pro