Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/111

Rh The Fox and the Rift in the Garden-wall:—A Talmudic Fable

facts, which the royal philosopher stated as the result of his own experience, the learned illustrated by the following apologue:—

"The fox," says he, "once came near a very fine garden, where he beheld lofty trees laden with fruit that charmed the eye. Such a beautiful sight, added to his natural greediness, excited in him the desire of possession. He fain would taste the forbidden fruit, but a high wall stood between him and the object of his wishes. He went about in search of an entrance and at last found an opening in the wall; but it was too small for his big body. Unable to penetrate, he had recourse to his usual cunning. He fasted three days, and became sufficiently reduced to crawl through the small aperture. Having effected an entrance, he carelessly roved about in this delightful region, making free with its exquisite produce, and feasting on its most