44 



^ESOP'S FABLES 



got indoors he put the Serpent down on the 

 hearth before the fire. The children watched 

 it and saw it slowly come to life again. Then 

 one of them stooped down to stroke it, but the 

 Serpent raised its head and put out its fangs and 

 was about to sting the child to death. So the 

 Woodman seized his axe, and with one stroke 

 cut the Serpent in two. cc Ah,' : said he, 



" iPo Beatitude from tlje toictictu" 



