A hen led her train of young chicks through a yard, to rake the chaff and to show the grain, when one of them flew on the edge of a well to try her wings, and by chance dropt down it, to the great grief of the old bird. The next day, when the hen met one of her chicks from an old brood, she said, “My dear son, I know you are strong and bold, but, for your life, do not go near that well; if you do, some great harm will come to you.” “Why should she give me this charge?” said he. “Does she think I am not brave, or does she store some good thing down the well, which she keeps for her last brood? I will go and see.” So he stood at the brink of the well, and, far down in the dark, he saw a spruce young cock, whose plumes rose, and whose wings spread, as if he had a wish to fight. Down flew the young bird--to rise no more. If a fool is bid not to do a thing, he is sure to do it. The best shield is to keep out of the reach of shot. THE BOY AND THE HORN BOOK. A boy stole a horn book from school, and brought it home to his aunt, who did not take him to task for what he had done, but gave him some plums for his pains. In course of time the child grew up to be a man, and--need we say?--a thief. He stole more and more, and at last was caught in a great theft, and was hung. A crowd came to look on at the sad scene, and with them the aunt of the thief, who, with sobs and tears, tore her hair and beat her breast. The thief saw her, and said to those who were in charge of him, “Give me leave to say a word to my aunt.” When she came up, he put his face to hers, as if he would speak, and bit off her ear! At this the aunt gave a loud cry, and all who stood near were struck with awe at so base a deed. “Good sirs,” said the young man, “it is she who is the cause of my guilt; for if, when I stole the horn book from school, she had had the sense to point out to me that I had done wrong, I should not have come to this sad end.” Spare the rod, and spoil the child. He that will steal an ounce, will steal a pound. THE ASS WITH A LOAD OF SALT.