Page:Fables of Aesop.pdf/15

 A Crow, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a pitcher, which he beheld at some distance. When he came, he found water in it indeed, but so near the bottom, that with all his stooping and straining he was not able to reach it; he then tried to overturn the pitcher, that so, at least, he might get a little of it; but his strength was not sufficient for this. At last, seeing some pebbles lie near the place, he cast them one by one into the pitcher, and thus by degrees raised the water to the very brim, and satisfied his thirst. True wisdom, when one plan fails, will try another. One who had come home from being abroad, was giving an account of his travels; and among other places, said he had been at Rhodes, where he bad so distinguished himself in leaping, that not a Rhodian could come near him. He was taking some pains to convince them of it by oaths and protestations; upon which one of the company rising up, told him he need not give himself so much trouble about it, since the simplest way was to perform the leap over again. The boaster, not liking this proposal, sat down, and had no more to say for himself.Truth cannot be shamed, but a liar is sure to be disgraced in the end.