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So he went and began to fell a tree at the edge of the river, and

presently contrived to let his axe drop into the water. Mercury

appeared as before, and, on learning that his axe had fallen in,

he dived and brought up a golden axe, as he had done on the

previous occasion. Without waiting to be asked whether it was his

or not the fellow cried, "That's mine, that's mine," and

stretched out his hand eagerly for the prize: but Mercury was so

disgusted at his dishonesty that he not only declined to give him

the golden axe, but also refused to recover for him the one he

had let fall into the stream.

Honesty is the best policy.

THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION