“See here, now,” said one of them to the others, “this shows that what I said is true. Nowadays the young take no care of the old. See this boy riding while his poor old father has to walk by his side.” Hearing this, the Man told his Son to get down, and he mounted the Donkey himself. In a little while they met three women with children in their arms. “For shame!” said the women. “How can you let that poor boy walk when he looks so tired, and you ride like a king?” The Man then took the boy up behind him on the saddle, and they rode on to the town. Just before they got there, some young men stopped them and said: “Is that Donkey yours?” “Yes,” said the Man. “One would not think so,” said they, “by the way you load him. You look more fit to carry him than he to carry you.” So the Man and the boy got off, tied the Donkey’s legs with a rope, fastened him to a pole, and, each taking one end of the pole, carried him along, while every one they met laughed outright. By and by they came to a bridge. Then the Donkey began to kick, and breaking the rope, fell into the water and was drowned. The old Man and his Son made their way home as best they could, thinking to themselves, “When we try to please everybody, we please nobody.” THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE A MOUSE from the city went on a visit to a friend in the country. The Country Mouse, with many apologies, brought out the best that he had and waited on his guest. There was plenty of oatmeal and peas, a nice scrap of bacon, and even a paring of cheese for dessert. While the guest was dining, the Country Mouse, out of politeness, would eat none of these dainties, for fear there should not be enough for both, but nibbled a piece of straw to keep his guest company. When the dinner was over, the City Mouse said: “Old friend, I thank you for your courtesy, but I must have a plain talk with you. I do not see how you can bear to live so poor a life in this little hole. Why not come with me to the city, where you will have all sorts of good things to eat and a gay time? You are wasting your life. When you have once seen the city you will never be willing to return to this quiet place.” [Illustration] After being urged a long time, the Country Mouse at last agreed to go to the city that very night. So they started off together, and about midnight came to the great house where the City Mouse lived. In the dining room was spread a rich feast; and the City Mouse, with many airs and graces, ran about the table, and, picking out the nicest bits, waited upon his country friend, who, amazed at the good things, ate to his heart’s content. All at once the doors of the dining room were flung open, and in came a crowd of people, followed by a big dog, who barked loudly and ran about the room. The Mice rushed for the hole, to escape, and the little field Mouse almost died of fright. As soon as he was able to speak, he said: