第250页 / 共274页

A Fox and a Leopard were disputing about their looks, and each

claimed to be the more handsome of the two. The Leopard said,

"Look at my smart coat; you have nothing to match that." But the

Fox replied, "Your coat may be smart, but my wits are smarter

still."

THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG

A Fox, in swimming across a rapid river, was swept away by the

current and carried a long way downstream in spite of his

struggles, until at last, bruised and exhausted, he managed to

scramble on to dry ground from a backwater. As he lay there

unable to move, a swarm of horseflies settled on him and sucked

his blood undisturbed, for he was too weak even to shake them

off. A Hedgehog saw him, and asked if he should brush away the

flies that were tormenting him; but the Fox replied, "Oh, please,

no, not on any account, for these flies have sucked their fill

and are taking very little from me now; but, if you drive them

off, another swarm of hungry ones will come and suck all the

blood I have left, and leave me without a drop in my veins."