Page:Fables of Aesop.pdf/16

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16

THE LION AND THE FORESTER.

The Forester one day meeting a Lion, they discoursed together for a while, without differing much in opinion. At last, a dispute happening to arise about the point of superiority between a man and a Lion. The man, in want of a better argument, showed the Lion a marble monument, on which was placed the statue of a man striding over a vanquished Lion. The Lion, who saw the weakness of the argument, said, ‘Pray, who drew the picture? Let us be the carvers, and we will make the Lion striding over the man.’

MORAL.

Some people are little to be credited when speaking of themselves.

THE GEESE AND THE CRANES.

A certain Farmer had a beautiful field of Corn, of which he took great care, and had it well fenced in. A flock of Geese and a parcel of Cranes having got into it unobserved, were feasting at their ease on the choicest of the grain. The owner of the field, however, with his servants, happening to pass soon after, surprised the flock in the very act. The Geese made many attempts to get off, but being fat and full bodied, most of them were sufferers: the Cranes, being thin and light, flew easily away.

MORAL.

Associating with evil companions often brings a man into danger.