Krilof and His Fables.
261
The Carp.
A number of carp dwelt in the clear spring-water of a lake in a Seigneur's garden. In shoals they used to sport near the banks, and all their days, it seemed, went by like days of gold.
But suddenly the Seigneur orders a number of pike to be put in the pond with them.
"Excuse me!" says a friend of his, who heard of that, "excuse me, but what can you be intending to do? What good thing can ever come of a pike? Not a fin will be left of the carp to a certainty. Can it be that you don't know how voracious pike are?"
"Don't waste your words," smilingly answers the Seigneur. "I'm well aware of all that. But I should like to know what makes you think that I am fond of carp?"
