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Horace Elisha Scudder

The Dog and the Wolf

A Dog was lying asleep in front of a stable. A Wolf suddenly came upon him, and was about to eat him, but the Dog begged for his life, saying:—

"I am lean and tough now; but wait a little, for my master is going to give a feast, and then I shall have plenty to eat; I shall grow fat, and make a better meal for you."

So the Wolf agreed, and went away. By and by he came back, and found the Dog asleep on the house-top. He called to him to come down now and do as he had agreed. But the Dog answered:—

"Good Wolf, if you ever catch me again asleep in front of the stable, you had better not wait for the feast to come off."

This fable teaches that wise men, when they escape danger, take care afterwards not to run the same risk.