Page:Fables of Aesop.pdf/14

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14

THE EAGLE AND THE FOX.

An Eagle, looking out for food to her young, picked up a Fox’s cub that lay basking in the sun. The aid Fox, coming home at the time, implored the Eagle, with tears, to spare her cub. The Eagle would not consent, but carried it off to her nest on the top of a high tree, thinking herself safe from the revenge of the Fox. That subtle creature, however, ran to a fire which some country people had kindled in the open air, and seizing a firebrand ran with it to the tree, which so terrified the Eagle that she delivered up the young Fox safe and sound.

MORAL.

Sooner or later punishment overtakes the guilty.

THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.

The Tortoise, weary of his condition, by which he was confined to the ground, and being ambitious to have a prospect, and look about him, gave out, that if any bird would take him up into the air,and show him the world, he would reward him with the discovery of many precious stones, which he knew were hidden in a certain place of the earth. The Eagle undertook to do as he desired; and when he had accomplished it, demanded the reward, which the Tortoise refusing, he struck his talons in the soft parts of his body, anti killed him.

MORAL

When a man breaks his promise he must abide by the consequence.