A young Mouse in search of adventure was running along the bank of a pond where lived a Frog. It bears no fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves. when a starving Grasshopper, his fiddle under his arm, came up and humbly begged for a bite to eat. The second time the Fox saw the Lion he stopped behind a tree to look at him a moment before slinking away. The axe was all he possessed with which to make a living, and he had not money enough to buy a new one. The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a thicket and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that way. These he placed steaming hot on the table, and the comrades sat down very cheerfully to enjoy the meal. Son, said the Boy's mother, when she had comforted him, the next time you come near a Nettle, grasp it firmly, and it will be as soft as silk.
It is easy and also contemptible to kick a man that is down.