A Lion and a Man chanced to travel in company through the forest. Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. A Jackdaw saw the deed, and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away from him, just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not keep from expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. He called himself an Astrologer, and spent his time at night gazing at the sky. The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. No hidden gold did they find; but at harvest time when they had settled their accounts and had pocketed a rich profit far greater than that of any of their neighbors, they understood that the treasure their father had told them about was the wealth of a bountiful crop, and that in their industry had they found the treasure.
A kindness is never wasted.