Tag Archives: the Wolf
348.The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape
A WOLF accused a fox of theft, but the fox entirely denied the charge. An ape undertook to judge the matter between them. When each had fully stated his case the ape announced this sentence:
“I don’t think you, wolf, ever lost what you claim; and I do believe you, Fox, to have stolen what you so stoutly deny.”
❖ The dishonest, if they act honestly, get no credit.
298.The Stag, the Wolf, and the Sheep
A STAG asked a sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, and said that the wolf would be his surety. The sheep, fearing some fraud was intended, excused herself, saying,
“The wolf is used to seize what he wants and to run off; and you, too, can quickly outstrip me in your rapid flight. How then shall I be able to find you, when the day of payment comes?”
❖ Two blacks do not make one white.
223.The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox
A LION, growing old, lay sick in his cave. All the beasts came to visit their king, except the fox. The wolf therefore, thinking that he had a capital opportunity, accused the fox to the lion of not paying any respect to him who had the rule over them all and of not coming to visit him.
At that very moment the fox came in and heard these last words of the wolf. The lion roaring out in a rage against him, the fox sought an opportunity to defend himself and said, “And who of all those who have come to you have benefited you so much as I, who have travelled from place to place in every direction, and have sought and learnt from the physicians the means of healing you?”
The lion commanded him at once to tell him the cure, when he replied, “You must flay a wolf alive and wrap his skin yet warm around you.”
The wolf was at once taken and flayed; whereon the fox, turning to him, said with a smile, “You should have moved your master not to ill will, but to good will.”
❖ The good cure will not always cost too much.
❖ Keep good company and you shall be of the number (Kansas).
❖ Who keeps company with a wolf is not the sole lord and master of ruin and disaster.
