THE ORATEFUL BEASTS. 45
Next night as soon as the master was asdeep, the mouse crept in again, and nibbled at the red silken string to which the stone himg. till down it dropped, and she rolled it along to the door; but when it got there, the poor little mouse was quite tired : and said to the ass, " Put in your foot, and lift it over the threshold." This was soon done : and they took up the stone, and set off for the water-side. Then the ass said, " How shall we reach the box ?' ^ That is easily managed," answered the bear; "I can swim very well, and do you, donkey, put your fore feet over my shoulders, — mind and hold fast, and take the stone in your mouth : as for you^ mouse, you can sit in my ear."
It was all settled thus, and away they swam. After a time, the bear began to brag and boast : " We are brave fellows, are not we, ass?" said he; "what do you think?" But the ass held his tongue, and said not a word. ** Why don't you answer me ?" said the bear, <'you must be an ill-mannered brute not to speak when you're spoken to." When the ass heard this, he could hold no longer; so he opened his mouth, and dropped the wonderful stone. "I could not speak," said he ; " did not you know I had the stone in my mouth ? now 'tis lost, and that's your fault" " Do but hold your tongue and b^ quiet," said the bear ; " and let us think what's to be done."
Then a council was held : and at last they called together all the frogs, their wives and families, relations and friends, and said : " A great enemy is coming to eat you all up ; but never mind, bring us up plenty of stones, and we'll build a strong wall to guard you." The frogs hearing this were dreadfully frightened, and set to work, bringing up all the stones they could find. At last came a large fat frog pulling along the wonderful stone by the silken string: and when the bear saw it, he jumped for joy, and said, " Now we have
