The Frog Who Wished To Be As Big As The Ox.
There was a little Fog Whose home was in a bog, And he worried 'cause he wasn't big enough. He sees an ox and cries: "That's just about my size, If I stretch myself--Say Sister, see me puff!"
So he blew, blew, blew, Saying: "Sister, will that do?" But she shook her head. And then he lost his wits. For he stretched and puffed again Till he cracked beneath the strain, And burst, and flew about in little bits.
The Grasshopper And The Ant.
The Grasshopper, singing All summer long, Now found winter stinging, And ceased in his song. Not a morsel or crumb in his cupboard-- So he shivered, and ceased in his song.
Miss Ant was his neighbor; To her he went: "O, you're rich from labor, And I've not a cent. Lend me food, and I vow I'll return it, Though at present I have not a cent."
The Ant's not a lender, I must confess. Her heart's far from tender To one in distress. So she said: "Pray, how passed you the summer, That in winter you come to distress?"
"I sang through the summer," Grasshopper said. "But now I am glummer Because I've no bread." "So you sang!" sneered the Ant. "That relieves me. Now it's winter--go dance for your bread!"
The Cat And The Fox.
The Cat and the Fox once took a walk together, Sharpening their wits with talk about the weather And as their walking sharpened appetite, too; They also took some things they had no right to. Cream, that is so delicious when it thickens, Pleased the Cat best. The Fox liked little chickens.
With stomachs filled, they presently grew prouder, And each began to try to talk the louder-- Bragging about his skill, and strength, and cunning. "Pooh!" said the Fox. "You ought to see me running. Besides, I have a hundred tricks. You Cat, you! What can you do when Mr. Dog comes at you?" "To tell the truth," the Cat said, "though it grieve me I've but one trick. Yet that's enough--believe me!"
There came a pack of fox-hounds--yelping, baying. "Pardon me", said the Cat. "I can't be staying. This is my trick." And up a tree he scurried, Leaving the Fox below a trifle worried.
In vain he tried his hundred tricks and ruses (The sort of thing that Mr. Dog confuses)-- Doubling, and seeking one hole, then another-- Smoked out of each until he thought he'd smother. At last as he once more came out of cover, Two nimble dogs pounced on him--All was over!
The Hen With The Golden Eggs.
To this lesson in greed, Pray, little ones, heed:
Each day, we are told, A most wonderful Hen Laid an egg made of gold For this meanest of men.
So greedy was he, He was not satisfied. "What is one egg to me? I want all that' inside!"
He cut off her head, And began to explore. But the poor hen was dead. And could lay eggs no more.
The Dog And His Image.
A foolish Dog, who carried in his jaw A juicy bone, Looked down into a stream, and there he saw Another one, Splash! In he plunged.. The image disappeared-- The meat he had was gone. Indeed, he nearly sank, And barely reached the bank.
