A Dove saw an Ant fall into a brook. But the Earthen Pot excused himself, saying that it would be wiser for him to stay in the corner by the fire. For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. Perhaps we may thus obtain forgiveness and cure for all. The Weasel had to admit that the Bat was not a Mouse, so he let him go. No, indeed; they settled right down, feet and all, to gorge themselves. I have no brothers. The bite was deadly and the Farmer felt that he must die. Roused from his nap, the Lion laid his huge paw angrily on the tiny creature to kill her. And all the milk flowed out, and with it vanished butter and eggs and chicks and new dress and all the milkmaid's pride.
Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk a greater in removing it.