FABLES. 



259 



THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE. 



A Tortoise, weary of his condition, by which he 

 was confined to creep upon the ground, and am- 

 bitious to look around him with a larger prospect, 

 proclaimed that if any bird would take him up into 

 the air, and shew him the world, he would reward 

 him with the discovery of a-n invaluable treasure, 

 which he knew was hidden in a certain place of the 

 earth. The Eagle accepted the offer, and having 

 performed his undertaking, gently set the Tortoise 

 again on the ground, and demanded the reward. 

 The Tortoise was obliged to confess that he could 

 not fulfil his promise, which he had made only 

 with the view of having his fancy gratified. The 

 Eagle, stung with resentment at being thus duped, 

 grasped him again in his talons, and then soaring 

 to a great height, let him fall, by which he was 

 dashed to pieces. 



