Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/503

 Rh THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE PEACOCK

SOCIABLE Nightingale found among the other songsters of the grove plenty of birds who envied her, but not a single friend. "Perhaps," thought she, "I may find a friend in some other branch of the bird family," and accordingly flew confidingly to the home of the Peacock.

"Beautiful Peacock! how much I admire you!" she said.

"No less than I admire you, lovely Nightingale," returned the Peacock.

"Then let us be friends," declared the Nightingale, "for we need never be envious of each other. You are as pleasing to the eye as I am to the ear." Accordingly the Nightingale and the Peacock became fast friends.

(Lessing, Fables, Book 1, No. 7. Translated by G. Moir Bussey.)

THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD had lost the whole of his flock from a dreadful epidemic. The Wolf, hearing of it, came to offer his sympathy.

"Shepherd," said he, "is it true that you have met with this sad affliction, and have lost your whole flock? Such a gentle, obedient flock! I feel for you deeply, and could almost shed tears of blood." "Many thanks. Master Wolf," said the Shepherd, "I see that you have a heart overflowing with compassion."

"Indeed he has," added the Shepherd's Dog, "whenever he himself suffers through a neighbour's misfortune."

(Lessing, Fables, Book I, No. 8. Translated by G. Moir Bussey.)