The Wolf & the Goat
A hungry Wolf spied a Goat browsing at the top of a steep cliff where he
could not possibly get at her.
"That is a very dangerous place for you," he called out, pretending to be
very anxious about the Goat's safety. "What if you should fall! Please
listen to me and come down! Here you can get all you want of the finest,
tenderest grass in the country."
The Goat looked over the edge of the cliff.
"How very, very anxious you are about me," she said, "and how generous you
are with your grass! But I know you! It's your own appetite you are
thinking of, not mine!"
The Fox & the Lion
A very young Fox, who had never before seen a Lion, happened to meet one
in the forest. A single look was enough to send the Fox off at top speed
for the nearest hiding place.
The second time the Fox saw the Lion he stopped behind a tree to look at
him a moment before slinking away. But the third time, the Fox went boldly
up to the Lion and, without turning a hair, said, "Hello, there, old top."
The Dog & His Reflection
A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his
prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he
happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if
in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone
much bigger than his own.
If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of
thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to
find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed
to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had
lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.
