FAVOURITE FABLES. 29

MORAL.

Great evils arise from vanity; for when we try to place
ourselves in a position for which we are not fit, we are liable
to be laughed at, and, when we would return to our former
state, we find we have lost the esteem of our former friends.

—o—.

FABLE XXIV.
THE VIPER AND THE FILE.

A VirER, crawling into a smith’s shop to seek for some-
thing to eat, cast her eyes upon a File, and darting upon it

’ said she, ‘‘and so you

in a moment, ‘‘ Now I have you,’
may help yourself how you can; but you may take my word
for it that I shall make a fine meal of you before I think of
parting with you.’’ ‘Silly wretch!’’ said the File, as gruff
as could be, ‘“‘you had much better be quiet, and let me
alone; for, if you gnaw for ever, you will get nothing but
your trouble for your pains. Make a meal of me, indeed!
why, I myself can bite the hardest iron in the shop; and if
you go on with your foolish nibbling I shall tear all the teeth

out of your spiteful head before you know where you are.”’

MORAL.

Take care that you never strive with those who are too
strong for you, nor do spiteful things, lest you suffer for it.