Page 233 of 274

A Ploughman loosed his oxen from the plough, and led them away to

the water to drink. While he was absent a half-starved Wolf

appeared on the scene, and went up to the plough and began

chewing the leather straps attached to the yoke. As he gnawed

away desperately in the hope of satisfying his craving for food,

he somehow got entangled in the harness, and, taking fright,

struggled to get free, tugging at the traces as if he would drag

the plough along with him. Just then the Ploughman came back, and

seeing what was happening, he cried, "Ah, you old rascal, I wish

you would give up thieving for good and take to honest work

instead."

MERCURY AND THE MAN BITTEN BY AN ANT