]

Giant Oak, in his strength & his scorn
Of the winds, by the roots was uptorn:
But slim Reeds at his side,
The fierce gale did outride,
Since, by bending the burden was borne.

BEND, NOT BREAK

THE FIR & THE BRAMBLE

The Fir-tree looked down on the Bramble.
"Poor thing, only able to scramble
About on the ground."
Just then an axe' sound
Made the Fir wish himself but a Bramble.

PRIDE OF PLACE HAS ITS DISADVANTAGES

THE TREES & THE WOODMAN

[Illustration]

The Trees ask of Man what he lacks;
"One bit, just to handle my axe?"
All he asks--well and good:
But he cuts down the wood,
So well does he handle his axe!

"GIVE ME AN INCH & I'LL TAKE AN ELL"

THE HART & THE VINE

[Illustration]

A Hart by the hunters pursued,
Safely hid in a Vine, till he chewed
The sweet tender green,
And, through shaking leaves seen,
He was slain by his ingratitude.

SPARE YOUR BENEFACTORS

THE MAN & THE SNAKE

[Illustration]

In pity he brought the poor Snake
To be warmed at his fire. A mistake!
For the ungrateful thing
Wife & children would sting.
I have known some as bad as the Snake.

BEWARE HOW YOU ENTERTAIN TRAITORS

THE FOX & THE MASK

[Illustration]

A Fox with his foot on a Mask,
Thus took the fair semblance to task;
"You're a real handsome face;
But what part of your case
Are your brains in, good Sir! let me ask?"

MASKS ARE THE FACES OF SHAMS

THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN

[Illustration]

"What pranks I shall play!" thought the Ass,
"In this skin for a Lion to pass;"
But he left one ear out,
And a hiding, no doubt,
"Lion" had--on the skin of an Ass!

IMPOSTERS GENERALLY FORGET SOMETHING

THE LION & THE STATVE

[Illustration]

On a Statue--king Lion dethroned,
Showing conqueror Man,--Lion frowned.
"If a Lion, you know,
Had been sculptor, he'd show
Lion rampant, and Man on the ground."

THE STORY DEPENDS ON THE TELLER

THE BOASTER

[Illustration]

In the house, in the market, the streets,
Everywhere he was boasting his feats;
Till one said, with a sneer,
"Let us see it done here!
What's so oft done with ease, one repeats."

DEEDS NOT WORDS

THE VAIN JACKDAW

[Illustration]

"Fine feathers," Jack thought, "make fine fowls;
I'll be envied of bats & of owls:"
But the peacocks' proud eyes
Saw through his disguise,
And Jack fled the assembly of fowls.

BO