FAVOURITE FABLES. 45

ready to jump out of his skin for joy, began to return thanks
to the good-natured Oxen, protesting that they were the
most obliging people he had ever met with in his life.

After he had done his compliments, one of them answered
him, gravely, ‘“‘ Indeed, we desire nothing more than to have
it in our power to contribute to your escape, but there is a
certain person you little think of who has a hundred eyes; if
he should happen to come, I would not give this straw for
your life.’

In the meanwhile, home comes the master himself from a
neighbour’s, where he had been invited to dinner; and,
because he had observed the cattle not look well of late, he
went up to the rack, and asked why they did not give them
more fodder; then, casting his eyes downward, ‘“ Heydey !”’
says he, ‘“‘why so sparing of your litter? pray scatter a little
more here. And these cobwebs But I have spoken so
often that, unless I do it myself ”’ Thus, as he went on,
prying into everything, he chanced to look where the Stag’s
horns lay sticking out of the straw; upon which he raised a
hue and cry, called his people about him, killed the Stag, and
made a prize of him.

 

 

MORAL.

For a work to be done thoroughly, it ought to be done by
oneself; the eye of a master is keener than that of a servant.