127. The Oak and the Reeds



A VERY LARGE OAK was uprooted by the wind and thrown across a stream.

It fell among some Reeds, which it thus addressed: "I wonder how you, who are so light and weak, are not entirely crushed by these strong winds."

They replied, "You fight and contend with the wind, and consequently you are destroyed; while we on the contrary bend before the least breath of air, and therefore remain unbroken, and escape."



Stoop to conquer.





128. The Fisherman and the Little Fish



A FISHERMAN who lived on the produce of his nets, one day caught a single small Fish as the result of his day's labor.

The Fish, panting convulsively, thus entreated for his life: "O Sir, what good can I be to you, and how little am I worth? I am not yet come to my full size. Pray spare my life, and put me back into the sea. I shall soon become a large fish fit for the tables of the rich, and then you can catch me again, and make a handsome profit of me."

The Fisherman replied, "I should indeed be a very simple fellow if, for the chance of a greater uncertain profit, I were to forego my present certain gain."





129. The Hunter and the Woodman



A HUNTER, not very bold, was searching for the tracks of a Lion.

He asked a man felling oaks in the forest if he had seen any marks of his footsteps or knew where his lair was.

"I will," said the man, "at once show you the Lion himself."

The Hunter, turning very pale and chattering with his teeth from fear, replied, "No, thank you. I did not ask that; it is his track only I am in search of, not the Lion himself."



The hero is brave in deeds as well as words.
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