Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/49

 Rh up a roar that filled the whole forest with its echo. The Mouse, recognising the voice of his former preserver, ran to the spot, and without more ado set to work to nibble the knot in the cord that bound the Lion, and in a short time set the noble beast at liberty; thus convincing him that kindness is seldom thrown away, and that there is no creature so much below another but that he may have it in his power to return a good office.

(Fable 256 Halm; Thomas James' translation.)

THE GULL AND THE KITE

GULL had pounced upon a fish, and in endeavouring to swallow it got choked, and lay upon the deck for dead. A Kite who was passing by and saw him, gave him no other comfort than—"It serves you right: for what business have the fowls of the air to meddle with the fish of the sea?"

(Fable 239 Halm; Thomas James' translation.)

THE POMEGRANATE, THE APPLE AND THE BRAMBLE

HE Pomegranate and the Apple had a contest on the score of beauty. When words ran high and the strife waxed dangerous, a Bramble, thrusting his head from a neighbouring bush, cried out, "We have disputed long enough; let there be no more rivalry betwixt us."

The most insignificant creatures are generally the most presuming.

(Fable 385 Halm; Thomas James' translation.)