A Maid was carrying her pail of milk to the farm-house, when she fell
a-musing. "The money for which this milk will be sold will buy at least
three hundred eggs. The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two
hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will become ready for market
when poultry will fetch the highest price; so that by the end of the
year I shall have money enough to buy a new gown. In this dress I will
go to the Christmas junketings, when all the young fellows will propose
to me, but I will toss my head, and refuse them every one." At this
moment she tossed her head in unison with her thoughts, when down fell
the Milk-pot to the ground, and broke into a hundred pieces, and all
her fine schemes perished in a moment.

Count not your chickens before they are hatched.

[Illustration]




The Playful Ass.


An Ass climbed up to the roof of a building, and, frisking about there,
broke in the tiling. The owner went up after him, and quickly drove him
down, beating him severely with a thick wooden cudgel. The Ass said:
"Why, I saw the Monkey do this very thing yesterday, and you all laughed
heartily, as if it afforded you very great amusement."

Those who do not know their right place must be taught it.