A frisky young Kid had been left by the herdsman on the thatched
roof of a sheep shelter to keep him out of harm's way. The Kid was
browsing near the edge of the roof, when he spied a Wolf and began
to jeer at him, making faces and abusing him to his heart's content.
I hear you," said the Wolf, "and I haven't the least grudge against
you for what you say or do. When you are up there it is the roof that's talking, not you.
One day as the Lion walked proudly down a forest aisle,
and the animals respectfully made way for him, an Ass brayed
a scornful remark as he passed.
The Lion felt a flash of anger. But when he turned his head and
saw who had spoken, he walked quietly on. He would not honor the fool
with even so much as a stroke of his claws.
A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree
in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey. The Bear began to nose
around the log very carefully to find out if the Bees were at home. Just
then one of the swarm came home from the clover field with a load of sweets.
Guessing what the Bear was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply and
then disappeared into the hollow log.
"How useless is the Plane!" said one of them.
"It bears no fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves."
The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the log tooth and claw,
to destroy the nest. But this only brought out the whole swarm. The poor Bear had
to take to his heels, and he was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.