A magnificent promise, but a paltry performance. JUPITER AND THE CAMEL THE Camel, in days of yore, besought Jupiter to grant him horns, because it was a great grief to him to see other animals furnished with what he had not. Jupiter not only refused him horns but cropped his ears short for his foolish importunity. By asking for what we do not need, we may lose what we already have. THE MOON AND HER MOTHER THE Moon once asked her Mother to make her a little coat that would fit her well. “How,” replied the Mother, “can I make a cloak to fit you, when now you are a New Moon, and then a Full Moon, and then again neither the one nor the other?” THE HORSE AND THE STAG A HORSE once had the whole range of a meadow to himself; but when a Stag came and threatened to damage the pasture, the Horse asked a Man to assist him in ridding him of the Stag. “I will,” said the Man, “if you will let me put a bit in your mouth and get upon your back so as to go and find weapons.” The Horse consented, and the Man accordingly mounted. But instead of being revenged on the Stag, the Horse has been from that time the slave of Man. Revenge is dearly punished at the price of liberty. THE COUNCIL HELD BY THE RATS Old Rodiland, a certain Cat, Such havoc of the Rats had made ’Twas difficult to find a Rat With nature’s debt unpaid. The few that did remain, To leave their holes afraid, From usual food abstain, Not eating half their fill. And wonder no one will That one who made on Rats his revel, With Rats passed not for Cat, but devil. [Illustration] Now, on a day, this dread rat-eater, Who had a wife, went out to meet her. And while he held his caterwauling, The unkilled Rats, their chapter calling, Discussed the point, in grave debate, How they might shun impending fate. Their dean, a prudent Rat, Thought best, and better soon than late, To bell the fatal Cat; That, when he took his hunting round, The Rats, well cautioned by the sound, Might hide in safety under ground. Indeed, he knew no other means; And all the rest At once confessed Their minds were with the dean’s. No better plan, they all believed, Could possibly have been conceived. No doubt the thing would work right well If any one would hang the bell. But one by one said every Rat, “I’m not so big a fool as that.” The plan knocked up in this respect, The council closed without effect. And many a council I have seen, Or reverend chapter, with its dean, That, thus resolving wisely, Fell through like this, precisely. To argue or refute, Wise councilors abound. The man to execute Is harder to be found. THE RAIN CLOUD