Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/478

 408 At this the beasts all howled aloud, and the old King perceived too late, that the young Lion had not been taught the knowledge which a King needs most of all—the knowledge of the wants of his own people and the interests of his own country.

(Krilov, Fables. Adapted from the translation by William R. S. Ralston.)

THE FARMER'S HORSE AND HIS DOG

DOG and a Horse, who both belonged to the same farmer, began, one day, to dispute as to which had given the more valuable services.

"You have done nothing to boast of!" said the Dog, "I shouldn't be surprised to see you driven off the farm altogether! A noble career, indeed, to slave all day dragging a plough or a cart. Yet I never heard of your doing anything finer! How can you possibly think yourself my equal? I never rest day or night. All day long I watch the cattle in the meadow; and throughout the night I guard the house."

"I don't deny it," replied the Horse, "All that you say is quite true. Only, please remember that if it were not for my ploughing there would be nothing at all for you to guard."

(Krilov, Fables. Adapted from the translation by William R. S. Ralston.)

THE ELEPHANT AND THE PUG DOG

N Elephant was once being led through the streets of a town as the chief attraction of a travelling circus, and crowds had gathered to stare and wonder at him. All of a sudden, a Pug Dog appeared from some corner or other, and as soon as he caught sight of the Elephant made a dash at him, snapping and barking fiercely.