STORIES ABOUT RABBITS. 259

caution will certainly secure to us safe One morning, a neighboring fox was
and happy lives." early astir, for he was very hungry, and
 And he himself was an example of it; his mouth watered for a breakfast of fat
for what animal, in all the forest, big or rabbit-steak. And I'll have one," said
strong, was ever more respected or the old fox, going straight to the rab-
comfortable than he ; and he died at a bits' burrow. He slyly crept over to the
good old age, in his snug little burrow, old stump and took his position above
leaving it to its present occupant. All the mouth of the hole, and kept a sharp
the neighbors felt for the little rabbit at look-out, ready to pounce upon his unwary
the old one's death. He is young and prey. Meanwhile, Rabbit, though not
so exposed," they said. hearing the noise, waked up and prepared
 Come," chirped Robin, lighting on a to go forth, and nibble his morning meal.
spray over his hole; "leave this ugly But he does not rashly venture out be-
forest, and go to winter-quarters with us fore remembering the dying advice of his
in the sunny south." aged relative, which was something to
 "Thank you," said Rabbit; "you see, this effect, and is as good for boys and
I can't afford wings and breath for such girls as it is for rabbits:
a journey ; besides, I am well contented "Watch, lest ye enter into temptation,
where I am." or be overcome of evil."
 I wish you had my paws," said the He stops, and first snuffs in the fresh
Tiger, in a friendly tone, stretching out air, and he snuffs in also the scent of
his frightful claws, they would be such danger. He is now all on the alert, and
a protection to you."' looks cautiously about the premises on
 Rabbit looked at his own little forefeet, either side, embracing in his field of vi-
and meekly said, that "in his case he sion dry sticks, fresh plantains, and lo!
supposed discretion was the better part the tip of his enemy's tail.
of valor." No, no, Mr. Fox," says the little
 The lion also stalked up and asked if Rabbit, back, "you cannot tempt me
he should not lend him his roar, for he out, when ruin is on my track; the tail
was sure he needed something to frighten of danger is not far from the jaws
off his enemies. of death;" and he sat at the mouth
 Rabbit thanks the king of beasts for of his hole in patience, quietly abid-
his generous offer, but he thought the ing his time, well pleased to look at
less noise he made in the world the bet- those things which he could not imme-
ter. He felt glad to find so many friends diately possess. He did not know, I
in the forest; but his grandfather had al- suppose, that he was acting according
ways told him that friends can help very to the words of the wise king Solomon,
little if one cannot help one's self, and who said:
this he determined to do. "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and