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The poor horse was very melancholy, and wandered up and down in

the wood, seeking some little shelter from the cold wind and

rain. Presently a fox met him: 'What's the matter, my friend?'

said he, 'why do you hang down your head and look so lonely and

woe-begone?' 'Ah!' replied the horse, 'justice and avarice never

dwell in one house; my master has forgotten all that I have done

for him so many years, and because I can no longer work he has

turned me adrift, and says unless I become stronger than a lion

he will not take me back again; what chance can I have of that?

he knows I have none, or he would not talk so.'