Strona 39 z 274

Hence it is that the earth is full of Ills, for they come and go

as they please and are never far away; while Goods, alas! come

one by one only, and have to travel all the way from heaven, so

that they are very seldom seen.

THE HARES AND THE FROGS

The Hares once gathered together and lamented the unhappiness of

their lot, exposed as they were to dangers on all sides and

lacking the strength and the courage to hold their own. Men,

dogs, birds and beasts of prey were all their enemies, and killed

and devoured them daily: and sooner than endure such persecution

any longer, they one and all determined to end their miserable

lives. Thus resolved and desperate, they rushed in a body towards

a neighbouring pool, intending to drown themselves. On the bank

were sitting a number of Frogs, who, when they heard the noise of

the Hares as they ran, with one accord leaped into the water and

hid themselves in the depths. Then one of the older Hares who was

wiser than the rest cried out to his companions, "Stop, my

friends, take heart; don't let us destroy ourselves after all:

see, here are creatures who are afraid of us, and who must,

therefore, be still more timid than ourselves."