A. Oh, no. Praise is all right. Everybody likes to be praised.
Q. What is the difference between praise and flattery?
A. When a person praises you he tells the truth, and tells it because he likes you, and wants to help you; but when he flatters you, he lies and deceives you, and does it to fool you, because he wants you to do something for him, or to get something you have.
Q. How can we tell whether we are being praised or flattered?
A. We must be sharp and know ourselves and what we really can do. Then we will know whether others are speaking the truth about us.
F. The Method and Style of the Author.
Question. What do you call a story like this?
Answer. A fable.
Q. Why is it a fable?
A. Because it’s short; because animals talk and act like human beings; because it teaches a good lesson.