enemies."
Hercules and the Wagoner
As a Wagoner was driving his wain through a miry lane, the wheels stuck fast in
the clay and the Horses could get on no farther. The Man immediately dropped
on his knees and began crying and praying with all his might to Hercules to
come and help him.
"Lazy fellow!" cried Hercules, "get up and stir yourself. Whip your Horses
stoutly, and put your shoulder to the wheel. If you want my help then, you shall
have it."
The Goose with the Golden Eggs
One day a poor countryman going to the nest of his Goose found there a golden
egg all yellow and glittering. When he took it up it felt as heavy as lead and he
was minded to throw it away, because he thought a trick had been played on
him.
On second thoughts, he took it home, however, and soon found to his delight
that it was an egg of pure gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and he
soon became prosperous by selling his eggs.
As he grew rich he grew greedy; and thinking to get at once all the gold the
Goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find—nothing!
The Frogs Desiring a King
The Frogs, living an easy, free sort of life among the lakes and ponds, once
prayed Jupiter to send them a King.
Jove, being at that time in a merry mood, threw them a Log, saying, as he did so,
"There, then, is a King for you."