Page:Fables of Aesop.pdf/19

 The Swallow, observing a Farmer sowing his field with flax, desired the other birds to assist her in destroying the seed, as it was of it the fowler made his nets. The Swallow was not regarded, and the flax appeared above the ground. When it was in the bud she reminded them of their danger, and again when grown up into the high stalk, but they would not listen to her. Finding her remonstances unheeded, she resolved to leave the society of the birds, and has ever since that time made her abode among the dwellings of men.If friends will not listen to your warning, then take care of yourself. An Ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of young Frogs, and trod one of them to death. The rest informed their mother when she came home, saying, that the beast that did it was the hugest creature that ever they saw in their lives. 'Was it so big?’, says the old Frog, swelling herself up to a great degree. ‘Oh! bigger by a vast deal,’ say they. ‘And so big,' says she, straining yet more. ‘Indeed, mamma, if you were to burst, you would never be so big.’ Again she strove, and burst herself indeed.A contest is always ruinous, which is not upon even terms.