While Brother Wolf was making ready for the start, Mr. Snail crawled up on his tail. When the signal was given, the Wolf hurried on, going very rapidly and without a moment's rest. He arrived in the city the next day; but found the gates closed. Brother Wolf knocked very hard, and waited for some one to come and admit him.
During this time Mr. Snail dropped on the ground and climbed on the wall.
"Is that you, my friend?" he exclaimed. "I have been waiting for you a long time. I am hungry now, and want my breakfast."
IV
THE LION'S SECRET
Once upon a time there were two brothers, who were orphans. The oldest was named Mahobane and the youngest Lovallec. These unfortunate children had been beggars since they were six years of age. They went from house to house and from village to village, on mountains and in valleys, but wherever they went their cry was the same:
"Good friends! give us alms! Kind friends! help the unfortunate!"
Their lot was a hard one, even as children, but it was harder as they grew older, for when the oldest was twenty they discovered that they had only succeeded, after all their efforts, in keeping soul and body together. Finally, one day, Mahobane exclaimed: