Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/140

 96 most ungrateful creatures! you provide wool to make garments for all other men, but you destroy the clothes of him who feeds you."

(Fable 378 Halm; Townsend's translation.)

THE WASPS, THE PARTRIDGES AND THE FARMER

HE Wasps and the Partridges, overcome with thirst, came to a Farmer and besought him to give them some water to drink. They promised amply to repay him the favour which they asked. The partridges declared that they would dig around his vines, and make them produce finer grapes. The Wasps said that they would keep guard, and drive off thieves with their stings. The Farmer, interrupting them, said: "I have already two oxen, who, without making any promises, do all these things. It is surely better for me to give the water to them than to you."

(Fable 392 Halm; Townsend's translation.)

THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE

PEACOCK spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage, and saying, "I am robed, like a king, in gold and purple, and all the colours of the rainbow; while you have not a bit of colour on your wings." "True," replied the Crane; "but I soar to the heights of heaven, and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the barnyard."

Fine feathers do not make fine birds.

(Fable 397 b. Halm; Townsend's translation.)