"Oh, I have been counting the stars," said the Fox.
"How many are they?" said the Peacock.
"About as many as the fools on earth," said the Fox.
"But which do you think is the greater, the number of the stars or of the fools?"
asked the Peacock.
"If you put it so, I should say the fools are more by one," said the
Fox.
"Who is that one?" said the Peacock.
"Why, my own silly self!" said the Fox.
"How are you silly, Reynard?" questioned the Peacock.
"Why, was it not foolish of me to count the stars in the sky, when I could have
counted the stars in your brilliant plumage to better advantage?" said the Fox.
"No, Reynard," said the Peacock, "therein is not your folly—although there is
neither wit nor wisdom in your prattle—but in the thought that your fine words
would make an easy prey of me!"
The Fox quietly left the place, saying: "The Knave that hath been found out
cannot have legs too quick."
The Tiger and the Giraffe
A Tiger, named Old Guile, who had grown weak with age, was lying under a
tree by the side of a lake in quest of some animal off which he could make a
meal.
A Giraffe, named Tall Stripes, who came to the lake to quench his thirst,
attracted his attention, and Old Guile addressed him as follows: "Oh, what a
happy day! I see there the son of my old friend Yellow Haunch, who lived in the
great forest near that distant mountain."