bull, and called on the Dolphin to help him. The Dolphin, though quite
willing to give him assistance, was unable to do so, as he could not by
any means reach the land. The Lion abused him as a traitor. The Dolphin
replied: "Nay, my friend, blame not me, but Nature, which, while giving
me the sovereignty of the sea, has quite denied me the power of living
upon the land."

Let every one stick to his own element.




The Mice in Council.


[Illustration]

The Mice summoned a council to decide how they might best devise means
for obtaining notice of the approach of their great enemy the Cat. Among
the many plans devised, the one that found most favor was the proposal
to tie a bell to the neck of the Cat, that the Mice, being warned by
the sound of the tinkling, might run away and hide themselves in their
holes at his approach. But when the Mice further debated who among them
should thus "bell the Cat," there was no one found to do it.

Let those who propose be willing to perform.