it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend. The Goat,
mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank,
the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme
for their common escape. "If," said he, "you will place your
forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape,
and will help you out afterwards." The Goat readily assented and the Fox
leaped upon his back. Steadying himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached
the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided
him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, "You foolish
old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your
beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor
have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape."
Look before you leap.
The Bear and the Two Travelers
TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear s
