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A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel, and was just

going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The

Weasel said he couldn't do that because he was an enemy of all

birds on principle. "Oh, but," said the Bat, "I'm not a bird at

all: I'm a mouse." "So you are," said the Weasel, "now I come to

look at you"; and he let it go. Some time after this the Bat was

caught in just the same way by another Weasel, and, as before,

begged for its life. "No," said the Weasel, "I never let a mouse

go by any chance." "But I'm not a mouse," said the Bat; "I'm a

bird." "Why, so you are," said the Weasel; and he too let the Bat

go.

Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

THE DOG AND THE SOW

A Dog and a Sow were arguing and each claimed that its own young

ones were finer than those of any other animal. "Well," said the

Sow at last, "mine can see, at any rate, when they come into the

world: but yours are born blind."

THE FOX AND THE CROW