Pagina 175 de 274

A Wolf caught sight of a Goat browsing above him on the scanty

herbage that grew on the top of a steep rock; and being unable to

get at her, tried to induce her to come lower down. "You are

risking your life up there, madam, indeed you are," he called

out: "pray take my advice and come down here, where you will find

plenty of better food." The Goat turned a knowing eye upon him.

"It's little you care whether I get good grass or bad," said she:

"what you want is to eat me."

THE SICK STAG

A Stag fell sick and lay in a clearing in the forest, too weak to

move from the spot. When the news of his illness spread, a number

of the other beasts came to inquire after his health, and they

one and all nibbled a little of the grass that grew round the

invalid till at last there was not a blade within his reach. In a

few days he began to mend, but was still too feeble to get up and

go in search of fodder; and thus he perished miserably of hunger

owing to the thoughtlessness of his friends.