The Fox And The Goat
A Fox one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape.
A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the
Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under
a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying
it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend. The
Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just
as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both
in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. "If," said he,
"you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I
will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards."
The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying
himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of the
well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided him
for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, "You foolish
old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs
in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected
the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had
no means of escape."
Look before you leap.
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