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A Tortoise, discontented with his lowly life, and envious of the

birds he saw disporting themselves in the air, begged an Eagle to

teach him to fly. The Eagle protested that it was idle for him to

try, as nature had not provided him with wings; but the Tortoise

pressed him with entreaties and promises of treasure, insisting

that it could only be a question of learning the craft of the

air. So at length the Eagle consented to do the best he could for

him, and picked him up in his talons. Soaring with him to a great

height in the sky he then let him go, and the wretched Tortoise

fell headlong and was dashed to pieces on a rock.

THE KID ON THE HOUSETOP