A mouse who always lived on the
land, by an unlucky chance formed an intimate acquaintance
with a Frog, who lived for the most part in the water.
The Frog, one day intent on mischief, bound the foot
of the Mouse tightly to his own. Thus joined
together, the Frog first of all led his friend the
Mouse to the meadow where they were accustomed to
find their food. After this, he gradually led
him towards the pool in which he lived, until reaching
the very brink, he suddenly jumped in, dragging the
Mouse with him. The Frog enjoyed the water amazingly,
and swam croaking about, as if he had done a good
deed. The unhappy Mouse was soon suffocated
by the water, and his dead body floated about on the
surface, tied to the foot of the Frog. A Hawk
observed it, and, pouncing upon it with his talons,
carried it aloft. The Frog, being still fastened
to the leg of the Mouse, was also carried off a prisoner,
and was eaten by the Hawk.
Harm hatch, harm catch.
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