A hare that was known to be good and kind was a friend to all the beasts of the field. One day the hounds caught sight of her, and gave her such a hard chase that at last she lay quite faint by the side of the road. To her great joy a horse came by. “Let me mount you,” said she, “and the hounds will then be thrown off the scent.” “Poor Puss,” said the horse, with a sigh, “it makes me sad to see you thus; but look up--all your friends are near.” She next sought aid from the bull. “I would lend you help, and be sure I wish you well,” said he; “but I am the head of the herd, and I must now join it.” The goat, who came next, said, “I fear my coat is too rough for you; there’s the sheep with his soft wool.” But the sheep told her that she was too weak to bear her weight, and that hounds eat sheep as well as hares. A young calf was the poor hare’s last chance, and he said, “If those who have gone by, who are grown up, did not help you, what good can I do, who am but young and weak?” Just then the hounds came in sight, and the calf ran off, and left the poor hare to her fate. “Ah!” said she, “friends are like bees: on bright days they swarm, but when clouds shut out the sun they are not to be found, though sought.” When your friend is in want, lose no time, but help him. THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG. Once on a time there was a man who had a pet dog, of which he was so fond that he let him eat from his own plate, and sit on his knee. The same man kept an ass that drew wood all day, and had to take his turn at the mill at night. “What a hard fate is mine!” said he; “I work night and day, while the lap dog leads a life of ease. No doubt my lord would get as fond of his ass as he is of his dog, if I could but win him by the same tricks.” At this thought he broke from the stall, set off to the room where the man was, sprang to his face to lick it, and gave a loud bray in his ear. But now the ass had gone too far with his rough play; for the men of the farm came in with clubs, sticks, and staves to beat him. THE END. ~BURT’S SERIES of ONE SYLLABLE BOOKS~ ~12 Titles. Handsome Illuminated Cloth Binding.~ A series of Classics, selected specially for young people’s reading, and told in simple language for youngest readers. Printed from large type, with many illustrations. ~Price, 50 Cents per Volume.~ [Illustration] ~AESOP’S FABLES.~ Retold in words of one syllable for young people. By MARY GODOLPHIN. With 41 illustrations. Illuminated cloth. ~ANDERSEN’S FAIRY TALES.~ (Selections.) Retold in words of one syllable for young people. By HARRIET T. COMSTOCK. With many illustrations. Illuminated cloth. ~BIBLE HEROES.~ Told in words of one syllable for young people. By HARRIET T. COMSTOCK. With many illustrations. Illuminated cloth. ~GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES.~