The poor little kitten said that it did not know that it was not to kill rats, and was very unhappy.
Then the tiger came forward, and dismissed them both, saying: “I am now rid of the rats, and require your service no longer.”
So they went away crestfallen.
Moral.—Thus do people often make a convenience of those who are their best friends!
THE ADVENTURES OF A BIRD
A small bird was once half buried in a puddle and could not escape, so it called to a passing stranger for help.
“Take me out, O stranger, and as a reward, you may eat me when my feathers are dried.”
So the man assisted it; but no sooner were its wings free than it flew away without expressing a word of gratitude.