Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/206

 156 THE PARTRIDGE AND THE FOX

PARTRIDGE was once perched on an upper branch of a tree, when a Fox came up and at once addressed her as follows: "Beautiful Partridge, how lovely are your features! Your beak is like coral, and your legs outrival the brilliance of royal purple. If only you were asleep, you would be more beautiful still." The trusting bird, like a little simpleton, at once closed her eyes; whereupon the Fox swiftly leaped high in the air and caught her in his mouth. The Partridge, lamenting her fate, poured forth a broken, tearful prayer: "Oh, Fox I beseech you by the fame of your artful ways eat me if you will but first praise me once again before I die!" The Fox moved by this prayer opened his mouth and the Partridge quickly made her escape. "Why did I have to speak?" lamented the disappointed Fox; and the Partridge replied, "Why did I have to close my eyes when I was not even sleepy?"

This fable is for those who talk when there is no need, and for those who sleep when they should keep watch.

(Phædrus, Fables, Appendix II, No. 13.)

ÆSOP AND THE RUNAWAY SLAVE

SLAVE, well known in the neighbourhood, was running away from a cruel master, when he fell in with Æsop. "Why so frightened?" asked the latter.

"I will tell you the truth. Father Æsop,—for you have well earned that name, because we can all safely confide our troubles to you. I am tired of beatings, and there is no end to the blows. Besides