
The Cock and the Fox.The Fox, passing early one summer's morning near a farm-yard, was caughtin a springe, which the farmer had planted there for that end. The Cock,at a distance, saw what happened, and, hardly yet daring to trusthimself too near so dangerous a foe, approached him cautiously, andpeeped at him. Reynard addressed himself to him, with all the designingartifice imaginable. "Dear cousin," says he, "you see what anunfortunate accident has befallen me here, and all upon your account:for, as I was creeping through yonder hedge, in my way homeward, I heardyou crow, and was resolved to ask you how you did before I went anyfarther; but I met with this disaster; and therefore now I must ask youfor a knife to cut this string; or, at least, to conceal my misfortunetill I have gnawed it asunder." The Cock, seeing how the case stood,made no reply, but posted away as fast as he could, and told the farmer,who came and killed the Fox. To aid the vicious is to become a partner in their guilt. From Aesop's Fables |