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 138 "you are welcome to your dainties; but for me, a dry crust with liberty against a king's luxury with a chain."

(Phædrus, Fables, Vol. III, No. 7; Thomas James' translation.)

THE CRIPPLE AND THE BULLY

CERTAIN Bully once tried to pick a quarrel with a Cripple, and in addition to bad language and insulting remarks, jeered at him for his bodily affliction. The Cripple replied:

"The loss of a limb is only a reason why I should strive the harder to do my part of the world's work. But why, poor fool, do you jeer at my misfortune? There is no shame in the accidents of chance, but only in the consequence of our own misdeeds."

(Phædrus, Fables, Vol. III, No. 11.)

THE BEES, THE DRONES AND THE WASP

OME Bees had built their comb in the hollow trunk of an oak. The Drones asserted that it was their doing, and belonged to them. The cause was brought into court before Judge Wasp. Knowing something of the parties, he thus addressed them:—"The plaintiffs and defendants are so much alike in shape and colour as to render the ownership a doubtful matter, and the case has very properly been brought before me. The ends of justice, and the object of the court, will best be furthered by the plan which I propose. Let each party take a hive to itself, and build up a new comb, that from the shape of the cells and the taste of the honey, the lawful proprietors of the property in dispute may appear." The Bees readily assented to the Wasp's plan. The Drones declined it.