FAVOURITE FABLES. 129

better than by going to visit him. Upon this, they generally
went, but it was particularly remarked that the Fox was not
oneof thenumber. The Lion, therefore, dispatched one of his
Jackals to sound him about it, and to ask him why he had
so little charity and respect as never to come near him at a
time when he lay so dangerously ill, and everybody else had
been to see him. ‘‘ Why,” replied the Fox, ‘“‘ pray present
my duty to his majesty, and tell him that I have the same
respect for him as ever, and have been coming several times
to kiss his royal paw, but I am so terribly frightened at the
mouth of his cave, to see the print of my fellow-subjects’
feet all pointing forwards, and none backwards, that I had
not resolution enough to venture in.”’

Now, the truth of the matter was, that the sickness ot
the Lion was only a sham to draw the beasts into his den,
the more easily to devour them.

MORAL.

It is well to weigh and consider the nature of any proposal
thoroughly before we accede to it; but, certainly, if we have
reason, from the injury done to others, to suspect that we
may suffer harm, it is decidedly better to decline.

K