Pagina 82 de 274

Utility is most men's test of worth.

THE JACKDAW AND THE PIGEONS

A Jackdaw, watching some Pigeons in a farmyard, was filled with

envy when he saw how well they were fed, and determined to

disguise himself as one of them, in order to secure a share of

the good things they enjoyed. So he painted himself white from

head to foot and joined the flock; and, so long as he was silent,

they never suspected that he was not a pigeon like themselves.

But one day he was unwise enough to start chattering, when they

at once saw through his disguise and pecked him so unmercifully

that he was glad to escape and join his own kind again. But the

other jackdaws did not recognise him in his white dress, and

would not let him feed with them, but drove him away: and so he

became a homeless wanderer for his pains.

JUPITER AND THE TORTOISE