FOR THE CHILDREN

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2722, 29 January 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

FOR THE CHILDREN

THE FABLES OF 7ESOP THE SLAVE THE GOAT AND THE LION. A lion ono day saw a goat upon a steep-, craggy rock, where lie could not climb to him, so lie said: “What pleasure can you possibly find in jumping from one rock to another all (lay, and risking your neck every moment? I wonder you do not como down here and feed in the meadow, where there is plenty of fresh, sweet grass.” “Well,” said the goat, “what you B ay may be very true; but, to tell you the truth, you look so uncommonly hungry and fierce that I do not care to take the risk and venture too near you.” Beware of tho advice of people who want to gain something from you. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER, A crow, almost dying of thirst, found a pitcher, or tall jug, which had a little water at the bottorn. Unfortunately, the- crow was not aole to reach the water. Again and again lie tried, but- without success. I'hen lie tried to knock the pitcher over, so that he might get at the water ; but lie was not strong enough for this. Then he noticed a quantity of little pebbles lying about. After much trouble and labor ho gathered these together, and, dropping them into the pitcher one by one, he at last raised the water up to the brim, and was able to drink. Where there’s a will there’s a way. THE TWO FROGS. One hot summer, when the country was parched and the lakes and ponds had nearly all dried up, two frogs w r ere travelling together in search of water. At last they came to a deep ".veil, and, sitting on ’ the edge of it, began to discuss whether they should jump in. One of them was in favor of doing so, urging that there was plenty of clear water and no danger of being disturbed : but the other thought for some time, and then answered: “That is all very well; brit I do not care to jump in, because if the water should happen to dry up here, how should we get out again?” Always look before you leap. THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS. Four bulls, who were very great fridnds, always kept near one another and fed together. A lion had often watched them, and wanted to kill one for his dinner. But lie was afraid t-o attack all four together, knowing that they would defend one another. So he began by telling one of the bulls stories about the others to arouse jealousv and bad feeling among them. The result w r as that the four bulls quarrelled and no longer went about in company. They separated and roamed alone. Then the artful lion was able to kill and devour tlie bulls one at a time. Remember that union is strength.