If you are wise you won’t
be deceived by the innocent airs of
those whom you have once found
to be dangerous.
There was once a Dog who used to snap at people and
bite them without any provocation, and who was a great
nuisance to every one who came to his master’s
house. So his master fastened a bell round his
neck to warn people of his presence. The Dog
was very proud of the bell, and strutted about tinkling
it with immense satisfaction. But an old dog
came up to him and said, “The fewer airs you
give yourself the better, my friend. You don’t
think, do you, that your bell was given you as a reward
of merit? On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.”
Notoriety is often mistaken
for fame.
There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked
by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come
and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner,
having made his acquaintance and finding he was an
agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come
and share his house: “We shall get to know
one another better that way,” he said, “and,
beside, our household expenses will be diminished.”
The Fuller thanked him, but replied, “I couldn’t
think of it, sir: why, everything I take such
pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your
charcoal.”
Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council,
and discussed the best means of securing themselves
against the attacks of the cat. After several
suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing
and experience got up and said, “I think I have
hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the
future, provided you approve and carry it out.
It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of
our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn
us of her approach.” This proposal was
warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to
adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said,
“I agree with you all that the plan before us
is an admirable one: but may I ask who is going
to bell the cat?”
A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel,
and was just going to be killed and eaten when it
begged to be let go. The Weasel said he couldn’t
do that because he was an enemy of all birds on principle.
“Oh, but,” said the Bat, “I’m
not a bird at all: I’m a mouse.”
“So you are,” said the Weasel, “now
I come to look at you”; and he let it go.
Some time after this the Bat was caught in just the
same way by another Weasel, and, as before, begged
for its life. “No,” said the Weasel,
“I never let a mouse go by any chance.”
“But I’m not a mouse,” said the
Bat; “I’m a bird.” “Why,
so you are,” said the Weasel; and he too let
the Bat go.
