TheJackalandthepea-Hen
OnceuponatimeaJackalandapea-henstodosoeeverydayandlookattheirgardens;byandbytheplum-stonesshotintotendergreenstems,butthebonesmadeneverasign.
"Bonesdotakealongtimegerminating,"remarkedtheJackal,pretendingtobequiteathisease;"Ihaveknoedandborefruit,andthepea-hensatdowntoaperfectfeastofripejuicyplums.
"He!he!"sniggeredshetotheJackal,who,havingbeenunsuccessfulinhuntingthatday,stoodbydinnerless,hungry,andinconsequenceverycross;"whatatimethoseoldbonesofyoursdotakeincomingup!Butwhentheydo,my!whatacropyou'llhave!"
TheJackalwasburstingwithrage,butshewouldn'ttakewarning,andwenton:"poordear!youdolookhungry!Thereseemssomechanceofyourstarvingbeforeharvest.Whatapityitisyoucan'teatplumsinthemeantime!"
"IfIcan'teatplums,Icaneattheplum-eater!"quoththeJackal;andwiththathepouncedonthepea-hen,andgobbledherup.
Moral--Itisneversafetobewiserthanone'sfriends.
