
The Fox and the Ape.Upon the decease of the Lion, the beasts of the forest assembled tochoose another king. The Ape played so many grimaces, gambols, and antictricks, that he was elected by a large majority; and the crown wasplaced upon his head. The Fox, envious of this distinction, seeing, soonafter, a trap baited with a piece of meat, approached the new king, andsaid with mock humility: "May it please your majesty, I have found onyour domain a treasure, to which, if you will deign to accompany me, Iwill conduct you." The Ape thereupon set off with the Fox, and, onarriving at the spot, laid his paw upon the meat. Snap! went the trap,and caught him by the fingers. Mad with the shame and the pain, hereproached the Fox for a false thief and a traitor. Reynard laughedheartily, and said, with a sneer: "You a king, and not understand atrap!" From Aesop's Fables |