CHAPTER XV
THE CRICKET: THE BURROW; THE EGG
Almost as famous as the Cicada, the Field Cricket, the denizen of the greenswards, figures among the limited but glorious number of the classic insects. He owes this honour to his song and his house. One thing alone is lacking to complete his renown. By a regrettable omission, the master of the art of making animals talk gives him hardly two lines.
In one of his fables he shows us the Hare seized with terror at the sight of his ears, which scandalmongers will not fail to describe as horns at a time when to be horned is dangerous. The prudent animal packs up his traps and makes off:
“Adieu, voisin Grillon,” dit-il; “je pars d’ici;
Mes oreilles enfin seraient cornes aussi.”
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The Cricket answers:
“Cornes cela! Vous me prenez pour cruche!