A Fox fell into a well, and was holding hard to some roots at the side of it, just above the water. A Wolf who was passing by saw him, and said, "Hollo, Reynard; after all you have fallen into a well!" "But not without a purpose, and not without the means of getting out of it," said the Fox. "What do you mean?" said the Wolf. "Why," said the Fox, "there is a drought all over the country now, and the water in this well is the only means of appeasing the thirst of the thousands that live in this neighbourhood. They held a meeting, and requested me to keep the water from going down lower; so I am holding it up for the public good." "What will be your reward?" asked the Wolf. "They will give me a pension, and save me the trouble of going about every day in quest of food, not to speak of innumerable other privileges that will be granted me. Further, I am not to stay here all day. I have asked a kinsman of mine, to whom I have communicated the secret of holding up the water, to relieve me from time to time. Of course he will also get a pension, and have other privileges. I expect him here shortly." "Ah, Reynard, may I relieve you, then? May I hope to get a pension, and other privileges? You know what a sad lot is mine, especially in winter." "Certainly," said the Fox, "but you must get a long rope, that I may come up and let you down." So the Wolf got a rope. Up came the Fox, and down went the Wolf; when the former observed, with a laugh, "My dear sir, you may remain there till doomsday, or till the owner of the well throws up your carcass," and left the place. "Alas!" said the Wolf, when it was too late, "_greed hath its meed!_" The Fawn and the Little Tiger A Fawn met a little Tiger, and said: "What fine stripes you have!" The little Tiger said: "What fine spots you have!" Then the Fawn said: "It would be such a nice thing if you and I were to live together as friends. We might then roam through the woods as we like, and be so happy!" "I think so too," said the Tiger. The two joined hands, and went out for a long walk. It was breakfast time. The Fawn saw some fine grass in the lawn, and said to himself: "One should first see his friend fed and then feed." So he turned to the Tiger and said, "Will you have some of this fine grass for your breakfast?" The Tiger put his nose to the grass but could not bring himself to feed upon it, because it was against his nature; so he replied, "I am so sorry, I cannot eat it!" Then the Fawn said: "Allow me to go home for one moment and ask mamma for something that would suit you for breakfast." So the Fawn went home and told the Hind of the happy friendship he had formed, and of all that had happened since. The Hind replied, "Child, how lucky it is that you have come away! You must know the Tiger is the most deadly enemy we have in the woods." At these words the Fawn drew near to his dam and trembled.