FABLES. 



299 



THE TREES AND THE WOODMAN. 



A Countryman being in want of a handle for his 

 hatchet, entered a wood and looked among the 

 branches for one that would suit his purpose. The 

 Trees, with a curiosity natural to some other crea- 

 tures, asked him what he was seeking? He replied 

 that he only wanted a piece of wood to make a 

 handle to his axe, and begged they would be so 

 good as to permit him to serve himself. Since 

 that is all, said the Trees, help yourself, and wel- 

 come. He immediately availed himself of the 

 permission, and had no sooner fitted up his instru- 

 ment, than he began pell-mell to cut and hack 

 about him, felling the noblest trees in all the 

 forest, without distinction. The Oak is said to 

 have spoke thus to the Beech, in a low whisper: 

 Brother, we must take all this for our easy 

 credulity, and imprudent generosity. 



