Fisherman. It has taken me a long time to catch you. Put you back, indeed! I think not.
Little Fish. But I am so little. Put me back and wait until I have grown to be a large fish. Then I will make you a very good meal.
Fisherman. [Thoughtfully.] True, my little fish, true. But where shall I find you when you have grown larger?
—African Fable.
BELLING THE CAT
Characters—Old Mouse, Three Young Mice
Old Mouse. Oh dear, dear, dear! That old cat ate Squeak Nibble to-day. What can we do?
Second Mouse. Well, we must do something! She’ll eat us all, one by one!
Third Mouse. How can we keep her from catching all the rest of us?
Fourth Mouse. Yes, how can we? If we could only know when she is coming. Her paws are so soft that we cannot hear her.