TWO Mules, laden with packs, were trudging along the highway. One carried panniers filled with money, the other sacks of grain. The Mule that carried the treasure walked with head erect and stately step, jingling the bells about his neck as he went. His companion followed at a quiet, easy pace. Suddenly a band of Robbers sprang upon them, attracted by the strong, proud step and the jingling bells. The Mule that carried the gold made so great an ado that the Robbers seized his pack, wounding him with their weapons, and, hearing footsteps, fled. “I am glad,” said the other, “that I was thought of so little consequence, for I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.” THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW THE Swallow and the Crow were once contending about their plumage. The Crow finally put an end to the dispute by saying, “Your feathers are well enough now while it is warm, but mine protect me against the winter.” JUPITER AND THE BEE A BEE made Jupiter a present of a pot of honey, which was so kindly taken that he bade her ask what she would in exchange. The Bee, who was nursing a private spite for the loss of some of her winter’s store, desired of Jupiter that wherever she should set her sting it might be mortal. Jupiter was loath to leave mankind at the mercy of a little spiteful insect, and was annoyed at the ill nature shown in her wish. He said, therefore, that while, for his promise’s sake, he would give her the power to harm, she must be careful how she used the power, for where she planted her sting, she would leave it, and would thereby risk her own life. Ill will often does greater harm to the one who acts from it than to the one on whom it falls. THE TWO TRAVELERS AS TWO men were traveling through a wood, one of them took up an ax which he saw lying upon the ground. “Look here,” said he to his companion; “I have found an ax.” “Don’t say _I_ have found it,” said the other, “but _we_. As we are companions, we ought to share it between us.” “No,” said the first, “I found the ax. It is mine.” They had not gone far when they heard the owner of the ax pursuing them, and calling out to them in great passion. “We are in for it now,” said he who had the ax. “Nay,” said the other; “say _I_ am in for it, not _we_. When you thought you had a prize, you would not let me share it with you, and now you cannot expect me to share in the danger.” THE KID AND THE WOLF A KID, mounted on a high rock where she felt safe, bestowed all manner of abuse upon a Wolf on the ground below. The Wolf replied: “Do not think, silly little creature, that you can annoy me. This ill language that you are using I regard as coming, not from you, but from the safe place on which you stand. You would be in a different mood if you were down here by my side.” THE GOURD AND THE PINE