Aesop's Fables: Townsend (1867)
197. The Thief and the Housedog (Perry
403)
A THIEF came in the night to break into a house. He brought with him
several slices of meat in order to pacify the Housedog, so that he would
not alarm his master by barking. As the Thief threw him the pieces of
meat, the Dog said, 'If you think to stop my mouth, you will be greatly
mistaken. This sudden kindness at your hands will only make me more watchful,
lest under these unexpected favors to myself, you have some private ends
to accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master's injury.'
George Fyler Townsend's translation of the fables, first published in 1867, is
in the public domain and can be found at many websites, including Project
Gutenberg.
Illustrations come from: Aesop's Fables, by George Fyler Townsend, with
illustrations by Harrison Weir, 1867, at Google
Books. |