Uncle Eli's Fables

How the Fox and the Goat Were Saved From a Sad Fate

[Copyright, 1902, by C. B. Lewis.]

It happened that the Fox and the Goat met behind the stables one day, and, with an anxious look on his face, the goat observed:

"My dear Fox, you come just in time. I am suspicious that there are Wolves about."

"So?" queried the Fox. "And in what way can I be of service to you?"

"If you will only cross the field to those bushes, you will see tracks in the snow. As near as I can make out, they are the tracks of wolves."

"I haven't a doubt of it."

"But why not go and see and make sure?"

"Because I have no desire to be eaten by the Wolves. May I suggest that you take a walk yourself and carefully examine the tracks?"

"I-I would rather be excused. My father was eaten by Wolves, you know, and I have no doubt that it hurt his feelings."

"Then it looks to me as if nothing could be done," said the Fox after awhile.

"No, I don't see that we can do anything," mused the Goat.

"Unless we called upon the Lamb."

"Ah! That might do. Yes, I think the Lamb would be willing to oblige us."

The Lamb, having been called up from the field and the case stated to him, at once announced his willingness to investigate the tracks and set off at once. He speedily found and followed them into the bushes, and a minute later his bleats of distress proved that the Goat's suspicions had been correct.

"Well, they must have been Wolf tracks," said the Fox.

"For sure," replied the Goat.

And then they winked at each other and their faces took on a look of peaceful contentment.

Moral. -- When you are in doubt, let the other fellow burn his fingers.

M. Quad.

Illustration caption: The Fox and The Goat Met.