FAVOURITE FABLES. 4

means.” ‘‘ But this surely will?’ ‘Nothing like it,’ they
replied. After many fruitless and ridiculous efforts to the
same purpose, the foolish Frog burst her skin, and miserably

expired upon the spot.

MORAL.

To attempt what is out of our power, and to rival those
greater than ourselves, is sure to expose us to contempt and

ruin.

——o9——

FABLE IIl.
THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.

A certain Man had a Goose, which laid him a golden
egg every day. But, not contented with this, which rather
increased than abated his avarice, he was resolved to kill the
Goose, and cut up her belly, so that he might come to the
inexhaustible treasure which he fancied she had within her,
without being obliged to wait for the slow production of a
single egg daily. He did so, and, to his great sorrow and
disappointment, found nothing within.

MORAL.

The man that hastes to become rich often finds that he has
only brought on ruin.