THE HARE AND HER FRIENDS.
A hare that was known to be good and kind was a friend to all the beasts of the field. One day the hounds caught sight of her, and gave her such a hard chase that at last she lay quite faint by the side of the road. To her great joy a horse came by. “Let me mount you,” said she, “and the hounds will then be thrown off the scent.” “Poor Puss,” said the horse, with a sigh, “it makes me sad to see you thus; but look up—all your friends are near.” She next sought aid from the bull. “I would lend you help, and be sure I wish you well,” said he; “but I am the head of the herd, and I must now join it.” The goat, who came next, said, “I fear my coat is too rough for you; there’s the sheep with his soft wool.” But the sheep told her that she was too weak to bear her weight, and that hounds eat sheep as well as hares. A young calf was the poor hare’s last chance, and he said, “If those who have gone by, who are grown up, did not help you, what good can I do, who am but young and weak?” Just then the hounds came in sight, and the calf ran off, and left the poor hare to her fate. “Ah!” said she, “friends are like bees: on bright days they swarm, but when clouds shut out the sun they are not to be found, though sought.”
When your friend is in want, lose no time, but help him.