Pagina 77 de 274

A Lion, enfeebled by age and no longer able to procure food for

himself by force, determined to do so by cunning. Betaking

himself to a cave, he lay down inside and feigned to be sick: and

whenever any of the other animals entered to inquire after his

health, he sprang upon them and devoured them. Many lost their

lives in this way, till one day a Fox called at the cave, and,

having a suspicion of the truth, addressed the Lion from outside

instead of going in, and asked him how he did. He replied that he

was in a very bad way: "But," said he, "why do you stand outside?

Pray come in." "I should have done so," answered the Fox, "if I

hadn't noticed that all the footprints point towards the cave and

none the other way."

THE BOY BATHING