Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-07
Bret Hartc's Improved Esop.

THE FOX ANp THE GRAPES.
4 thirsty fox one day, in passing through
a vinyard, noticed that the grapes were hang
ing in clusters from vines which were trained
from such height as to be out of his reach.
Ah,'' said the fox, with a supercilious
smile, "Pve heard Of this before. In the
twelfth century an ordinary fox of average
culture would have wasted his strength and
energy in the vain attempt to reach yonder
sour grapes. Thanks to my knowledge Of
vine culture however, at once observe that
the great height and extent Of the vine, the
drain upon the sap through the increased
number Of tendrils and leaves must, of ne
cessity impoverish the grape, and render it
unworthy the consideration Of an intelligent
animal. Not any for me, thank you" With
these words, he coughed slightly and with
drew.
NIoral--This fable teaches US that an
intelligent discretion, and some botanical
knowledge, are Of the greatest Importance in
grape culture.
I1.-TGE FOX AND THE sToRK.
A fox one day invited a stork to dinner,
but provided for the entertainment only the
first course-soup This being in a shallow
dish, the fox Tapped it up readily, but the
stork, by means Of his long bill, could not
gain mouthful.
" You do not seem fond of soup" said the
fox, c0ncealing a smile in his napkin. Now,
it is one of my greatest weaknesses"
" You certainly seem to project yourself
outside Of large quantity" said the stork,
rising with some dignity and examining his
watch with great empressment "but have
an appointment at eight o'clock which had
forgotten. must ask to be excused. Au
A.. !
The fox assented, arrived at the appointed
time, but found, as he fully expected, moth
ing on the table but single long-necked
bottle, containing olives, which the stork
was completely extracting by the aid of his
long bill.
"Why you do not seem to eat anything"
said the stork, with great naivete, when he
had finished the bottle.
"No," said the fox significantly, Il am
waiting for the second course"
"What is that ?" asked the stork blandly.
Stork stuffed with olives" shreked the
fox, in very pronounced manner, and im-
mediately dispatched him.
Moral-True hospitality obliges the host
TO sacrifice himself for his guests.
Hr.-rnE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
A wolf one day, drinking from running
stream, Obseaved n lamb, also drinking from
the same stream, at some distance from him.
al have yet to learn," said the wolf, ad-
dressing the lamb, with dignified severity,
what right you have to muddy the stream
! from which am drinking"
Your premises are incorrect" replied the
lamb, with bland politeness, d" for if you will
take the trouble TO examine the current crit.
ically you will observe that it flows from
you to me, and that any disturbance of SEN
timcnt here would be, so far as you are con.
cerned, entirely local"
Possibly you are right" returned the
wolf, "but if | am not mistaken you are the
person who, two years ago, used some inhu.
ence against me at the primaries"
"Impossible," replied the lamb; "two
years ago | was not born"
"Ah well" added the wolf, composedly,
81 am wrong again. But it must convince
every intelligent person who has listened to
this conversation that | am altogether in
sane, and consequently not responsible for
my actions"
With this remark he at once dispatched
the lamb and was triumphantly acquitted.
Moral.-This fable teaches us how errone-
Gus may be the popular impression in regard
TO the distribution OF alluyium and the for
nation Of river deltas.