The Donkey grumbled a great deal at this. “How hard I work!” said he, “and I never get any pay but blows and hard words. Why should I not be petted like that wretched little Dog? It may be partly my own fault. Perhaps if I played with my master as he does, I too might be treated like him.” So the Donkey pushed his way into the house, and jumped up on his master’s knee, putting his forefeet on his shoulders and giving a loud bray. The master, almost deafened by the noise and in danger from the great clumsy creature, called out, “Help! help!” and the servants, running in, drove the Donkey out of doors with sticks and stones. THE ONE-EYED DOE A DOE, blind in one eye, used to graze as near as she could to the edge of a cliff, so that she might keep her blind eye to the water, while with the other she kept watch against the approach of hunters or hounds on the shore. [Illustration] Some boatmen sailing by saw her standing thus on the edge of a cliff, and finding that she did not perceive their approach, they came very close, and taking aim, shot her. Finding herself wounded, she said, “O unhappy creature that I am, to take such care as I did against the dangers of the land, and then, after all, to find this seashore, to which I had come for safety, so much more perilous!” THE CAMEL WHEN man first beheld the Camel, he was so awed by his vast size that he fled away from him in terror. But after a time, perceiving the meekness and gentleness of the animal’s temper, he summoned courage to approach him. The Camel so readily obeyed the commands that were given him, and seemed so wanting in spirit, that at last the man put a bridle in his mouth and set a child to guide him. Since then Camels are valued for the service they render. THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG A WOLF met a Dog, and seeing that he looked fat and sleek, said to him, “How does it happen, my friend, that you are so plump, while I, although I run after game day and night, am half starved?” “Why,” said the Dog, “I do not have to run after my food. I only guard the house at night, and all the family pet me and feed me with scraps from their own plates. Come and live with me, and you shall be as well off as I am.” “That I should like,” said the Wolf. “I will at least go with you and try the life.” As they trotted along the road together, the Wolf saw a mark on the Dog’s neck, and asked him what it was. “Oh, that is nothing,” said the Dog; “only a little mark made by the fretting of my chain.” “Do you wear a chain?” asked the Wolf; “and do you mean to say that you are tied up?” “Why, yes,” said the Dog; “they tie me in the daytime, but at night I can go where I please. It is a bit annoying at first, but one soon gets used to it.” “Good-by,” said the Wolf; “that is enough for me. Though I may not be fat, I will at least be free.” THE OAK AND THE REED