e my poultry, my birds, and my young cattle to
teach: not a moment is to be lost.'--'It is a good thing to have a good
friend!' said the ass, as she stalked into the farm-yard. Here she
brayed with a most audible voice: 'Hearken to me, parents and little
ones!' she cried; 'I am come hither to inspire you all with wisdom.'

"The goose, as wise as a goose can be, stared at the speaker; tossed her
head on one side, gave a loud quack, and returned to comfort her
goslings, who were fluttering in every direction.

"'You little ducklings,' continued the ass, 'don't spread your feet so
vulgarly. Mrs. Turkey, I have long sighed for the honour of your
patronage: the charming little poults, I hope, will gain new beauties
from our exertions. Mrs. Barn-fowl, your chickens are too timid; we
shall soon teach them to hop with grace. As for these awkward maudlin
rabbits, I fear we cannot do any thing with them; and these ill-bred
creatures, Mrs. Sow's progeny, we cannot attempt to teach.' A sturdy
mastiff, who had followed the group of gazers, now barked furiously;
dispersed the poultry, pushed Mrs. Sow and her family into the mud; and,
spite of Farmer Killwell, drove the ass and her foals out of the
farm-yard. A little girl, who was witness to the hubbub, exclaimed, 'Ah!
this is excellent! Mrs. Adair has borrowed a garment from the ass, to
teach simple ones wisdom; but she will never teach little girls to love
new rules.'"

"Where is the moral to your fable?" asked Miss Damer, with some degree
of anger.

"I never thought of the moral; of what use would it be to my theme?"
returned Miss Bruce.

"And of what use is any theme or fable without a moral? But I wish to
know your motive for writing this ridiculous piece."

"To vex Mrs. Adair, certainly, because she won't let me go to my Aunt's
on Thursday."

"And do you really think that it is in your power to vex Mrs. Adair with
this trifling nonsense? You may be assured of this, Miss Bruce, the only
notice she will take of this childish, insignificant fable, will be to
make you read it to the ladies."

"I won't be talked to in this way, though you are my monitress. I will
write what I please;" so saying, she snatched the slate from Miss Damer,
and in haste rubbed off the words.

"The wisest thing you could do," said Miss Damer. "Now sit down, and
reflect seriously upon your conduct, and then tell me whether you feel
quite satisfied with yourself, or whether you are grateful to Mrs