The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-05-28
THE IMPROVED ESOP.
For Intelligent Modern Children.
BY BRET HARTE.

/. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.
A thirsty fox one day, in passing
through a vineyard, noticed that the
grapes were hanging in clusters from
vines which were trained to such 6
height as to be out of his reach.
"Ah," said the fox, with superciIi.
GUS smile, "I've heard of this before
In the twelfth century an ordinary fox
of average culture would have wasted
his strength and energy IL the vain
attempt to reach yonder sour grapes.
Thanks to my knowledge of vine cul.
| ture, however, at once observe that
| the great height aud extent of the vine.
the drain upon the sap though the in
! creased number of tendrils and leaves
must, of necessity, impOverish the grape,
and render it unworthy the considera-
ton of an Intelligent animal. Not any
for me, thank you" With these words,
he roughed slightly, and withdrew.
MoRAL-This fable teaches US that
an intelligent discretion and some bo-
tanical knowledge. are of the greatest i'm
portance in grape culture
II. THE FOX AND THE sToRK.
A fox one day invited stork to din
ner, but provided for the entertainment
only the first course-soup. This be-
ing IN shallow dish, of course the fox
Tapped up readily, but the stork, by
means Of his long bill was unable to
gain a mOuthful.
You do not seem fond of soup, !"
said the fox, concealing a smile in his
napkin. Now, it is one of my greatest
weaknesses"
I" You certainly seem TO project your
self outside of a large quantity" said
the stOrk, rising with some dignity and
examining his watch with considerable
ea1pTeSSenle7lt "but I have an ap-
pOintment at eight o'clock which I have
forgotten. I must ask to be excused.
Au reUoir. By the way, dine with me
tO-mOn0w."
The fox assented, arrived at the APP
pointed time, but found, as he fully ex-
pected, nothing on tue table but a
single long knocked bottle, containing
olives, which the stOrk was completely
extracting by the aid of his long bill.
Why, you do not seem to eat any
thing" said the stork, with great nal
vete, when he had finished the bottle.
No" said the fox Significantly, 81
arr waiting for the second course"
"What is that?" asked the stOrk
blandly.
StJrk stuffed with olives" shrieked
the fox, in very pronounced manner,
and Immediately dispatched him.
MORAL-True hospitality Obliges the
host to sacrifice himself for his guests.
III. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
A wolf, one day, drinking from a rum
ming stream, observed & lamb also
drinking from the same stream at some
distance from him.
81 have yet to learn, ," said the wolf,
addressing the lamb with dignifed Sc
verify, "what right you have to muddy
the stream from which l am drinking"
''YOur premises are incorrect" re-
piled the lamb, with bland politeness,
''for if you will take the trouble to
examine the current critically, you will
observe that it flows from you to me,
and that any disturbance of sediment
here would be, so far as you are con-
cerned, entirely local."
Possibly you are right, returned
the wolf, ''but if I am not mistaken,
you are the person who, two years ago,
used some influence against me at the
primaries"
"Imposs!ble," replied the lamb; "two
years ago was not bonn"
"Ah! WE'LL" added tie wolf, com
posedly, 81 am wrong again. But it
must convince every intelligent person
who has listened to this conversation
that am altogether insane, and conse
quently not responsible for my actions
With this remark, he at once dis
patched the lamb, and was triumPhantly
acquitted.
MoRAL-This fable teaches us how
may be the popular impres
sion in regard to the distribution of
alluvium and the formation Of river
deltas.