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who came to his master’s house. So his master fastened a bell round his neck to warn people of his presence. The dog was very proud of the bell, and strutted about tinkling it with immense satisfaction. But an old dog came up to him and said, “The fewer airs you give yourself the better, my friend. You don’t think, do you, that your bell was given you as a reward of merit? On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.”
     
    Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.

6. THE MICE IN COUNCIL
    O nce upon a time all the mice met together in council and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat. After several suggestions had been debated, a mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, “I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry it out. It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach.” This proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to adopt it, when an old mouse got upon his feet and said, “I agree with you all that the plan before us is an admirable one. But may I ask who is going to bell the cat?”

7. THE BAT AND THE WEASELS
    A bat fell to the ground and was caught by a weasel, and was just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The weasel said he couldn’t do that because he was an enemy of all birds on principle. “Oh, but,” said the bat, “I’m not a bird at all. I’m a mouse.” “So you are,” said the weasel, “now I come to look at you.” And he let it go. Some time after this the bat was caught in just the same way by another weasel, and, as before, begged for its life. “No,” said the weasel, “I never let a mouse go by any chance.” “But I’m not a mouse,” said the bat. “I’m a bird.” “Why, so you are,” said the weasel. And he too let the bat go.
     
    Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

8. THE DOG AND THE SOW
    A dog and a sow were arguing, and each claimed that its own young ones were finer than those of any other animal. “Well,” said the sow at last, “mine can see, at any rate, when they come into the world; but yours are born blind.”

 

    THE FOX AND THE CROW

    9. THE FOX AND THE CROW
    A crow was sitting on a branch of a tree with a piece of cheese in her beak when a fox observed her and set his wits to work to discover some way of getting the cheese. Coming and standing under the tree he looked up and said, “What a noble bird I see above me! Her beauty is without equal, the hue of her plumage exquisite. If only her voice is as sweet as her looks are fair, she ought without doubt to be queen of the birds.” The crow was hugely flattered by this, and just to show the fox that she could sing she gave a loud caw. Down came the cheese, of course, and the fox, snatching it up, said, “You have a voice, madam, I see. What you want is wits.”

10. THE HORSE AND THE GROOM
    T here was once a groom who used to spend long hours clipping and combing the horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a portion of its allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit. The horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried to the groom, “If you really want me to look sleek and well, you must comb me less and feed me more.”

11. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
    A wolf came upon a lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse. So he cast about for a grievance and said at last, “Last year, sirrah, you grossly insulted me.” “That is impossible, sir,” bleated the lamb, “for I wasn’t born then.” “Well,” retorted the wolf, “you feed in my pastures.” “That cannot be,” replied the lamb, “for I have never yet tasted grass.” “You drink from my spring, then,” continued the wolf. “Indeed, sir,” said the