The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-06-23
THE IMPROVED .ESOP.
For Intelligent Modern Children
BY BRET HARTE.
I. THE FOX AND TIE GRAPES.

1. THE FOX AND TIE 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-
lous smile, 1--WE heard of this before.
In the twelfth century an ordinary fox
with average culture would have wasted
his strength and energy in the vain at
tempt 10 reach yonder sour grapes
Thanks to my knowledge OF vine culture,
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 necessity,
impoverish the grape and render it I'M
worthy the consideration of an intelli-
/ gent 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-
zeal knowledge are of the greatest impor-
lance in grape culture. -
II. THE FOX AND THE sroRK.
A fox one day invited a stork to din
ner, but provided for the entertainment
only the first course-soup. This being
in shallow dish, Of course the fox Tapped !
up readily, but the stork, by means of |
his long bill, was unable TO gair a
mouthtul.
You do not seem fond of SOUP" said /
the fox, concealing a smile in his nap
kin. 'tNow it is one of my greatest weak
nesses."
"You certainly seem to project your.
self outside of a large quantity" said
the stork, rising with some dignity, and
examining his watch with great empress
nlent, ''but | have an appointment at
o'clock which had forgotten. / must
ask to be excused. Au reroir BY the
way, dine with me tomorrow"
The fox assented, arrived at the APP
pointed time, but found, as he fully ex-
pected, nothing on the table but a sin
gle long-necked bottle, containing olives,
which the stork was completely extract
ing by the aid of his long bill.
'Why, you do not seem to eat any
thing, said the stork, with great naivette,
when he had finished the bottle.
''No, said the fox significantly, "Pm
waiting for the second course"
"What is that ~ asked the stork bland
ly.
"Stork 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 run
ming stream, observed lamb also drink
ing from the same stream, at some dis
lance from him.
81 have yet TO learn" said the wolf,
addressing the lamb with dignified severi-
ty, ''What right have you to muddy the
stream from which | am drinking" ID
''Hour 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 ,
Of the sediment here would s
be, so far as you are concerned, entirely (
local"
Possibly you are right" returned the
wolf, ''but if | am not mistaken, you are {
the person who, two years ago, used |
some influence against me at the prima- |
ries. {
Impossible" replied the lamb "two I
years ago l was not born" c
"Ah well" added the wolf, compos-
eddy, 81 am wrong again. But it must I
convince every intelligent person who has {
listened to this conversation that | am /
insane, and, consequently, not $
for my actions" f
With this remark, he at once dispatch f
ed the lamb, and was triumphantly ac- t
quilted. e
MoRAL.-This fable teaches us how {
erroneous may be the popular impression t
in regard to the distribution of aluvium '
and the formation of river deltas