The Fox And The Grapes. and more

The Fox And The Grapes.

Rosy and ripe, and ready to box, The grapes hang high o'er the hungry Fox.-- He pricks up his ears, and his eye he cocks.

Ripe and rosy, yet so high!-- He gazes at them with a greedy eye, And knows he must eat and drink--or die.

When the jump proves to be beyond his power-- "Pooh!" says the Fox. "Let the pigs devour Fruit of that sort. Those grapes are sour!"

The Ass In The Lion's Skin.

An Ass in The Lion's skin arrayed Made everybody fear. And this was queer, Because he was himself afraid. Yet everywhere he strayed The people ran like deer.

Ah, ah! He is betrayed: No lion has that long and hairy ears.

Old Martin spied the tip; and country folk Who are not in the secret of the joke, With open mouths and eyes Stare at old Martin's prize-- A Lion led to mill, with neck in yoke.

The Fox And The Stork.

Old Father Fox, who was known to be mean, Invited Dame Stork in to dinner. There was nothing but soup that could scarcely be seen:-- Soup never was served any thinner. And the worst of it was, as I'm bound to relate, Father Fox dished it up on a flat china plate.

Dame Stork, as you know, has a very long beak: Not a crumb or drop could she gather Had she pecked at the plate every day in the week. But as for the Fox--sly old Father: With his tongue lapping soup at a scandalous rate, He licked up the last bit and polished the plate.

Pretty soon Mistress Stork spread a feast of her own; Father Fox was invited to share it. He came, and he saw, and he gave a great groan: The stork had known how to prepare it. She had meant to get even, and now was her turn: Father Fox was invited to eat from an urn.

The urn's mouth was small, and it had a long neck; The food in it smelled most delightful. Dame Stork, with her beak in, proceeded to peck; But the Fox found that fasting is frightful. Home he sneaked. On his way there he felt his ears burn When he thought of the Stork and her tall, tricky urn.

The Monkey And The Cat.

Jocko the Monkey, Mouser--his chum, the Cat, Had the same master. Both were sleek and fat, And mischievous. If anything went wrong, The neighbors where not blamed. Be sure of that.

Jocko, 'tis said was something of a thief; Mouser, if truth be told, would just as lief Much stolen cheese as chase the midnight mouse. The praise bestowed on either must be brief.

One day these rogues, stretched flat before the fire, Saw chestnuts roassting. "Ah! Could we conspire To jerk them out," said Jocko, "from the coals, We'd smash the shells and have our heart's desire.

"Come, Brother Mouser! This day 'tis your turn To do some bold and desperate thing to earn A reputation. You, who are so quick, Snatch out the nuts before they start to burn.

"Alas! That I, a Monkey, was not made To play with fire. But you are not afraid." So Mouser--pleased, like many a cat or man, With pretty words--sly Jocko's wish obeyed.

Into the fire he put a practiced paw: Out came a chestnut clinging to his claw-- Another and another. As they dropped Jocko devoured them, whether roast or raw.

A servant enters. Off the robbers run. Jocko, you may be sure, enjoyed the fun. But Mouser's paw is sadly singed--for what? Just to get nuts for Jocko. He got none.

The Hare And The Tortoise.

Said the Tortoise one day to the Hare: "I'll run you a race if you dare. I'll bet you cannot Arrive at that spot As quickly as I can get there."

Quoth the Hare: "You are surely insane. Pray, what has affected your brain? You seem pretty sick. Call a doctor in--quick, And let him prescribe for your pain."

"Never mind," said the Tortoise. "Let's run! Will you bet me?" "Why, certainly." "Done!" While the slow Tortoise creeps Mr. Hare makes four leaps, And then loafs around in the sun.

It seemed such a one-sided race, To win was almost a disgrace. So he frolicked about Then at last he set out-- As the Tortoise was as nearing the place.

Too late! Though he sped like a dart, The Tortoise was first. She was smart: "You can surely run fast," She remarked. "Yet you're last. It is better to get a good start."