be spiritless and indolent."
"This description," says the old Wolf, "does not greatly attract me to the flock.
For, decidedly, if the shepherd is good, he will not keep bad dogs about him.
One might very soon get into trouble there. But come with me: I will take you to
a flock where we shall be in less danger of losing our skins. Over that flock it is
true that a great many dogs watch; but the shepherd is himself a fool. And where
the shepherd is a fool there the dogs too are of little worth."
The Pike
An appeal to justice was made against the Pike, on the ground that it had
rendered the pond uninhabitable. A whole cart-load of proofs was tendered as
evidence; and the culprit, as was beseeming, was brought into court in a large
tub. The judges were assembled not far off, having been set to graze in a
neighbouring field. Their names are still preserved in the archives. There were
two Donkeys, a couple of old Horses, and two or three Goats. The Fox also was
added to their number, as assessor, in order that the business might be carried on
under competent supervision.
Now, popular report said that the Pike used to supply the table of the Fox with
fish. However this might be, there was no partiality among the judges; and it
must also be stated that it was impossible to conceal the Pike's roguery in the
affair in question. So there was no help for it. Sentence was passed, condemning
the Pike to an ignominious punishment. In order to frighten others, it was to be
hung from a tree.
"Respected judges," thus did the Fox begin to speak, "hanging is a trifle. I should
have liked to have sentenced the culprit to such a punishment as has never been
seen here among us. In order that rogues may in future live in fear, and run a
terrible risk, I would drown it in the river."