THE GOOSE THAT LAID GOLDEN EGGS
T
HERE was a man who once had a very handsome goose, that always laid golden eggs. Now, he thought there must be gold inside of her, so he wrung her neck straightway, and found she was exactly like all other geese. He thought to find riches, and lost the little he had.
The fable teaches that one who has anything should be content with it, and avoid covetousness, lest he lose what he has.
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS
A company of idle boys were watching some frogs by the side of a pond, and as fast as any of the frogs lifted their heads the boys would pelt them down again with stones.
"Boys," said one of the frogs, "you forget that, though this may be fun for you, it is death to us."