Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/203

 Rh "I am much stronger than any Hawk," the Stork replied. "If you will form a friendship with me, you may safely laugh at your enemy."

The credulous Goose eagerly accepting the protection offered her, straightway waddled out into the fields. Before long a Hawk passing that way and swooping down seized the Goose in his cruel talons. As the Stork flew safely away the unhappy Goose called after him: "Whoever trusts himself to a feeble protector deserves to come to a bad end."

(Phædrus, Fables, Appendix I, No. 26.)

THE CROW AND THE SHEEP

TROUBLESOME Crow seated herself on the back of a Sheep. The Sheep, much against his will, carried her backward and forward for a long time, and at last said, "If you had treated a dog in this way, you would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth." To this the Crow replied, "I despise the weak, and yield to the strong. I know whom I may bully, and whom I must flatter; and I thus prolong my life to a good old age."

(Phædrus, Fables, Appendix I, No. 27; Townsend's translation.)

THE HORSE AND THE ASS

HE Ass one day begged the Horse for a small share of his hay. "Gladly," said the Horse, "if there were any to spare,—and a generous one too, as befits my own dignity. But as soon as I get back to our stable to-night I will see that you have a bag full of oats." The Ass replied: "Since you refuse me a small favour now, how can I believe that you will do me a bigger one by-and-by?"