If you are wise you won’t be deceived by the innocent airs of
    those whom you have once found to be dangerous.

THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG

There was once a Dog who used to snap at people and bite them without any provocation, and who was a great nuisance to every one who came to his master’s house.  So his master fastened a bell round his neck to warn people of his presence.  The Dog was very proud of the bell, and strutted about tinkling it with immense satisfaction.  But an old dog came up to him and said, “The fewer airs you give yourself the better, my friend.  You don’t think, do you, that your bell was given you as a reward of merit?  On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.”

    Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.

THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER

There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself.  A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house:  “We shall get to know one another better that way,” he said, “and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished.”  The Fuller thanked him, but replied, “I couldn’t think of it, sir:  why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal.”

THE MICE IN COUNCIL

Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat.  After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, “I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry it out.  It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach.”  This proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said, “I agree with you all that the plan before us is an admirable one:  but may I ask who is going to bell the cat?”

THE BAT AND THE WEASELS

A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel, and was just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go.  The Weasel said he couldn’t do that because he was an enemy of all birds on principle.  “Oh, but,” said the Bat, “I’m not a bird at all:  I’m a mouse.”  “So you are,” said the Weasel, “now I come to look at you”; and he let it go.  Some time after this the Bat was caught in just the same way by another Weasel, and, as before, begged for its life.  “No,” said the Weasel, “I never let a mouse go by any chance.”  “But I’m not a mouse,” said the Bat; “I’m a bird.”  “Why, so you are,” said the Weasel; and he too let the Bat go.