Pagina 235 van 274

A Lion watched a fat Bull feeding in a meadow, and his mouth

watered when he thought of the royal feast he would make, but he

did not dare to attack him, for he was afraid of his sharp horns.

Hunger, however, presently compelled him to do something: and as

the use of force did not promise success, he determined to resort

to artifice. Going up to the Bull in friendly fashion, he said to

him, "I cannot help saying how much I admire your magnificent

figure. What a fine head! What powerful shoulders and thighs!

But, my dear friend, what in the world makes you wear those ugly

horns? You must find them as awkward as they are unsightly.

Believe me, you would do much better without them." The Bull was

foolish enough to be persuaded by this flattery to have his horns

cut off; and, having now lost his only means of defence, fell an

easy prey to the Lion.

THE PARROT AND THE CAT