Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/550

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

474
KRAAL AND WIGWAM FABLES

THE LYNX AND THE HARE

ONE day, in the dead of winter, when food was very scarce, a half starved Lynx discovered a modest little Hare standing on a high rock in the woods secure from any attack.

"Come down, my pretty one," said the Lynx, in a persuasive tone, "I have something to say to you."

"Oh, no, I can't," answered the Hare. "My mother has often told me to avoid strangers."

"Why, you sweet little obedient child," said the Lynx, "I am delighted to meet you! Because you see I happen to be your uncle. Come down at once and talk to me; for I want to send a message to your mother."

The Hare was so pleased by the friendliness of her pretended uncle, and so flattered by his praise that, forgetting her mother's warning, she leaped down from the rock and was promptly seized and devoured by the hungry Lynx.

(Indian Fable. From American Wonderland, by Richard Meade Bache, 1871.)


THE WILDCAT AND THE RABBIT

THE Wildcat once caught the Rabbit and was about to kill him, when the Rabbit begged for his life, saying: "I'm so small that I would make only a mouthful for you. But if you let me go I'll show you where you can get a whole drove of Turkeys." So the Wildcat let him up and went with him to where the Turkeys were. When they came near the place the Rabbit said to the Wildcat, "Now, you must do as I say. Lie down as if you were dead and don't move,