Aesop, in Rhyme | Page 9

Shepherd.
[Illustration]
A Wolf followed a flock of sheep for a long time, and did not attempt
to injure one of them. The Shepherd at first stood on his guard against
him, as against an enemy, and kept a strict watch over his movements.
But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the company of the sheep,
and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the Shepherd began
to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than as a plotter of
evil against it; and when occasion called him one day into the city, he
left the sheep entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had the
opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed the greater part of the

flock. The Shepherd, on his return, finding his flock destroyed,
exclaimed: "I have been rightly served; why did I trust my sheep to a
Wolf?"
[Illustration]
An evil mind will show in evil action, sooner or later.

The Man and the Lion.
A Man and a Lion traveled together through the forest. They soon
began to boast of their respective superiority to each other in strength
and prowess. As they were disputing, they passed a statue, carved in
stone, which represented "A Lion strangled by a Man." The traveler
pointed to it and said: "See there! How strong we are, and how we
prevail over even the king of beasts." The Lion replied: "This statue
was made by one of you men. If we Lions knew how to erect statues,
you would see the man placed under the paw of the Lion."
One story is good till another is told.

The Ox and the Frog.
[Illustration]
An Ox, drinking at a pool, trod on a brood of young frogs, and crushed
one of them to death. The mother, coming up and missing one of her
sons, inquired of his brothers what had become of him. "He is dead,
dear mother; for just now a very huge beast with four great feet came to
the pool, and crushed him to death with his cloven heel." The Frog,
puffing herself out, inquired, "If the beast was as big as that in size."
"Cease, mother, to puff yourself out," said her son, "and do not be
angry; for you would, I assure you, sooner burst than successfully
imitate the hugeness of that monster."

Impossible things we cannot hope to attain, and it is of no use to try.

The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat.
The Birds waged war with the Beasts, and each party were by turns the
conquerors. A Bat, fearing the uncertain issues of the fight, always
betook himself to that side which was the strongest. When peace was
proclaimed, his deceitful conduct was apparent to both the combatants;
he was driven forth from the light of day, and henceforth concealed
himself in dark hiding-places, flying always alone and at night.
Those who practice deceit must expect to be shunned.

The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller.
A Charcoal-burner carried on his trade in his own house. One day he
met a friend, a Fuller, and entreated him to come and live with him,
saying that they should be far better neighbors, and that their
housekeeping expenses would be lessened. The Fuller replied: "The
arrangement is impossible as far as I am concerned, for whatever I
should whiten, you would immediately blacken again with your
charcoal."
Like will draw like.

The Bull and the Goat.
[Illustration]
A Bull, escaping from a Lion, entered a cave, which some shepherds
had lately occupied. A He-goat was left in it, who sharply attacked him
with his horns. The Bull quietly addressed him--"Butt away as much as
you will. I have no fear of you, but of the Lion. Let that monster once
go, and I will soon let you know what is the respective strength of a

Goat and a Bull."
It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress.

The Lion and the Mouse.
[Illustration]
A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face.
Rising up in anger, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the
Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I
would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him
go. It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some
hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse,
recognizing his roar, came up and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and,
setting him free, exclaimed: "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being
able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of
your favor; but now you know that it is