Page:Three hundred Aesop's fables (Townshend).djvu/82

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The Fables of Æsop.

THE MAN BITTEN BY A DOG.

A Man who had been bitten by a Dog, went about in quest of some one who might heal him. A friend meeting him, and learning what he wanted, said, "If you would be cured, take a piece of bread, and dip it in the blood from your wound, and go and give it to the Dog that bit you." The man who had been bitten laughed at this advice, and said, "Why? If I should do so, it would be as if I should pray every Dog in the town to bite me."

Benefits bestowed upon the evil-disposed, increase their means of injuring you.


THE HUNTSMAN AND THE FISHERMAN.

A Huntsman, returning with his dogs from the field, fell in by chance with a Fisherman, bringing home a basket well laden with fish. The Huntsman wished to have the fish; and their owner experienced an equal longing for the contents of the game-bag. They quickly agreed to exchange the produce of their day's sport. Each was so well pleased with his bargain, that they made for some time the same exchange day after day. A neighbour said to them, "If you go on in this way, you will soon destroy, by frequent use, the pleasure of your exchange, and each will again wish to retain the fruits of his own sport."

Abstain and enjoy.


THE FOX AND THE CROW.

A Crow having stolen a bit of flesh, perched in a tree, and held it in her beak. A Fox seeing her, longed to possess himself of the flesh: and by a wily stratagem suc-