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FABLES:
PARAPHRASED FROM THE INDIAN, AND
IMITATIONS
I
THE HEAD AND TAIL OF THE SERPENT
THE serpent's Tail was disputing with the serpent's Head as to which should go first.
The Head said:—
"You cannot go first; you have no eyes or ears."
The Tail replied:—
"But at all events I have the strength to make you go. If I wanted, I could twine around a tree, and you could not stir."
The Head said:—
"Let us part company."
And the Tail tore itself away from the Head, and crawled away in its own direction.
But as soon as it had left the Head, it came upon a cranny and fell into it.
II
FINE THREADS
A man bade a spinner spin fine threads. The spinner spun fine threads; but the man declared that the threads were not good, and that he wished the very finest of fine threads.
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