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A Dog was lying in the sun before a farmyard gate when a Wolf

pounced upon him and was just going to eat him up; but he begged

for his life and said, "You see how thin I am and what a wretched

meal I should make you now: but if you will only wait a few days

my master is going to give a feast. All the rich scraps and

pickings will fall to me and I shall get nice and fat: then will

be the time for you to eat me." The Wolf thought this was a very

good plan and went away. Some time afterwards he came to the

farmyard again, and found the Dog lying out of reach on the

stable roof. "Come down," he called, "and be eaten: you remember

our agreement?" But the Dog said coolly, "My friend, if ever you

catch me lying down by the gate there again, don't you wait for

any feast."

Once bitten, twice shy.

THE WASP AND THE SNAKE