THE OLD HEN AND HER YOUNG ONES.
A hen led her train of young chicks through a yard, to rake the chaff and to show the grain, when one of them flew on the edge of a well to try her wings, and by chance dropt down it, to the great grief of the old bird. The next day, when the hen met one of her chicks from an old brood, she said, “My dear son, I know you are strong and bold, but, for your life, do not go near that well; if you do, some great harm will come to you.” “Why should she give me this charge?” said he. “Does she think I am not brave, or does she store some good thing down the well, which she keeps for her last brood? I will go and see.” So he stood at the brink of the well, and, far down in the dark, he saw a spruce young cock, whose plumes rose, and whose wings spread, as if he had a wish to fight. Down flew the young bird—to rise no more.
If a fool is bid not to do a thing, he is sure to do it.
The best shield is to keep out of the reach of shot.