Aesop's Fables: Townsend (1867)
2. The Bat and the Weasels (Perry 182)
A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to
be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature the
enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a
mouse, and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to
the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise entreated
not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.
The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second
time escaped.
It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.
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. |