Page:Chinese Fables and Folk Stories.djvu/147

Rh it will stay," said the crab, "I am sure I can win the race."

"Oh, no, you can not," said the fox. "But I will prove to even your stupid, slow brain that it will make no difference. Now, how do you wish that I should hold my tail?"

Said the crab, "If you will allow me to hang something on your tail to hold it down, I am sure you can not run faster than I."

"Do as you like," said the fox.

"Allow me to come nearer," said the crab, "and when I have it fastened to your tail, I will say 'Ready!' Then you are to start."

So the crab crawled behind and caught the fox's tail with his pincers and said, "Ready!" The fox ran and ran until he was tired. And when he stopped, there was the crab beside him.

"Where are you now?" said the crab. "I thought you were to run ten times faster than I. You are not even ahead of me with all your boasting."

The fox, panting for breath, hung his head in shame and went away where he might never see the crab again.

(Meaning): A big, proud, boastful mouth is a worse thing for a man than it is for a fox.