The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
THE IMPROVED ESOP.
For Intelligent Modern Children.
DY BRET HARTE.
1. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.

I. 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 from such
height as to be out of his reach.
"Ah," said the fox, with a supercil-
ious smile, i've heard of this before.
In the twelfth century an ordinary fox
of average culture would have wasted
his strength and energy in the vain at
tempt to reach yonder sour grapes.
Thanks to my knowledge of vine cul-
ture, however, | at once observe that the
great height and extent of the vine, the
drain upon the sap through the increas-
ed number of tendrils and leave must,
of necessity, 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 withdrew.
MoRAL-This fable teaches us that
an intelligent discretion and some botan-
ical knowledge are Of the greatest inn
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 being
in a shallow dish, of course the fox lap
ped mp readily, but the storS, 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 nap
kin. "Now, it is one of my greatest
weaknesses"
You certainly seem to protect your
self outside of a large quantity" said
the stork, rising with some dignity, and
examining his watch with great empress
msnt; "but have an appointment at 8
o'clock which had forgotten. ! must
ask to be excused. 44u reroir. BY the
way, dine with me tomorrow"
The fox assented, arrived at the ap-
pointed time, but found, as he fully ex
pectcd, nothing or thu table but a sin
gle 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 any
thing" said the stork, with great mai
vete, when he had finished the bottle.
NO." said the fox Significantly, 81
ana waiting for the secor course"
"What is that?" asked the stork
blandly.
"Stork stuffed with Olives" shrieked
the fox, in very pronounced manner,
and Immediately dispatched him.
M"RAL-True hospitality obliges the
host to sacrifice himself for his guests
III. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
A wolf, one day drinking from a run
ming stream, observed lamb also drink
ing from the same stream, at some dis-
| tance from him.
II have yet to learn" said the wolf,
addressing the lamb with digaifed Sc
verify, "what right You have to muddy
the stream from which l am drinking" :"
your premises are incorrect" replied
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 concerned, entirel Y
| local"
/ Possibly You are right" returned the
wolf, "but if am not mistaken, y6u are
the person who, two years ago, used
some influence against me at the prinaa-
ries"
Impossible" replied the lamb; ''two
years ago was not born"
"Ah! well," added the wolf, eompos.
edly, 81 am wrong again. But it must
convince every intelligent person who
has listened to this conversation that am
altogether insane, and consequently moi
responsible for my actions"
With this remark, he at once
dispatched the lamb, and was triumph
antly acquitted
MoRAL-This fable teaches us how
erroneous may be the popular impres
sion in regard to the distribution of allu-
vium and the formation of river deltas