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 124 him that he would take pity on them once more; but Jupiter replied, that they were only suffering the punishment due to their folly, and that another time they would learn to let well alone, and not be dissatisfied with their natural condition.

(Phædrus, Fables, Vol. I, No. 2; Thomas James' translation.)

THE VAIN JACKDAW

JACKDAW, as vain and conceited as Jackdaw could be, picked up the feathers which some Peacocks had shed, stuck them amongst his own, and despising his old companions, introduced himself with the greatest assurance into a flock of those beautiful birds. They, instantly detecting the intruder, stripped him of his borrowed plumes, and falling upon him with their beaks, sent him about his business. The unlucky Jackdaw, sorely punished and deeply sorrowing, betook himself to his former companions, and would have flocked with them again as if nothing had happened. But they, recollecting what airs he had given himself, drummed him out of their society, while one of those whom he had so lately despised, read him this lecture:—"Had you been contented with what nature made you:—you would have escaped the chastisement of your betters and also the contempt of your equals."

(Phædrus, Fables, Vol. I, No. 3; Thomas James' translation.)

THE COW, THE GOAT, THE SHEEP AND THE LION

HE Cow, the Goat and the unresentful Sheep once formed a partnership with the Lion in his native jungle. One day, when they had run down a large Stag and divided it into four parts, the