A cock stood on the top of a rick, and gave a loud crow. A fox, who saw him, thought he would just do for a meal; but though the cock could fly down to him, he could not climb up to the cock; so he said, “Have you heard the news?” _Cock._--What news? _Fox._--Peace has been sworn by bird and beast. _Cock._--Do you say so? Let me hear how it came to pass. _Fox._--Well, the birds and the beasts have met, and have sworn a truce. We are now quite safe by night and day. The wolf will no more tear the lamb, nor the fox kill the kid; the cat will not catch the mice, nor the dog bark at the sheep; and from this time all will live in peace: so come down, that I may wish you joy on this new state of things. The cock did not say much, but gave his neck a stretch, and made a feint that he saw some foe at hand. _Fox._--What is it you see? _Cock._--Why, I think I see a pack of hounds. No doubt they come this way to tell the good news. _Fox._--Oh, then, I must be gone! _Cock._--No; pray, sir, do not go; I am just on the point of a flight down to you. You can have no fear of dogs in this time of peace. _Fox._--Why, no--no--but--ten to one they have not heard the news. _Cock._--If the sky falls, we shall catch larks. You might as well try to make me think the moon is made of green cheese! THE WOLF AND THE STORK. A wolf had a bone that stuck in his throat, and gave him so much pain, that he ran with a howl, up and down, to ask all whom he met to lend him a kind hand, and said he would give a large sum to bird or beast who would take it out. At last a crane, who heard of the bribe, came up, put her long bill down the wolf’s throat, and drew out the bone. The crane then said, “Now, where is the fee which you spoke of?” “Wretch that you are!” said the wolf, “to ask for more than this--that you should put your head in a wolf’s mouth, and bring it safe out!” A bribe walks in, and gives no knock. [Illustration: The Wolf and the Stork.--Page 82. _Æsop._] THE JAY AND THE OWL. One day an old owl, who sat in a dark barn, had a call from a jay. The owl sat quite still in his nook, save when he saw a mouse, and did not speak a word, so that the jay had all the talk. When he had thus spent an hour or so, he took his leave, full of glee, with a heart as gay as his plumes, and said as he went that he must love that dear old owl, and that he did not know when he had had a chat to cheer him up so much. If you wish to please your friend, sit still, and let him talk. THE NURSE AND THE SNAKE.