The Boy who Cried Wolf

THERE was once a young Shepherd Boy who tended his sheep near a village, and thought it would be great fun to trick the villagers by pretending a wolf was attacking the sheep; so he shouted out "Wolf, Wolf".

When the people came running up to help, he laughed at them. He did this more than once, and every time the villagers found out they had been tricked. After this a Wolf actually did come, and the boy cried out "Wolf, Wolf," still louder than before.

But this time the villagers thought the boy was again tricking them, and nobody came to help. So the Wolf made a good meal off the boy's flock.

The moral of the story: The truth itself is not believed from one who often has deceived.

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

A WOLF found great difficulty in getting at the sheep because of the careful attention of the shepherd and his dogs . But one day it found the skin of a sheep, so it put it on over its own skin and strolled down among the sheep.

The Lamb that belonged to the sheep, whose skin the Wolf was wearing, began to follow the Wolf in the Sheep's clothing; so, leading the Lamb a little apart, he soon ate her, and for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals.

The moral of the story: Appearances can be deceiving.

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

AN ASS once found a Lion's skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry. He put it on and frightened every one he met, for they all thought he was a lion, men and beasts alike, and ran away when they saw him coming; he was a proud Ass that day.

In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed in triumph, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound whipping for the fright he had caused. And a Fox came up to him and said: "Ah, I should have been afraid if I hadn't heard your voice."

The moral of the story: Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.