Aesop's Fables

the wolf and_the Lamb

once upon a time a wolf was lapping at a spring on a hillside, when, looking up, what should he see but aLamb just beginning to drink a little lower down .` there's my supper,' thought he, ` if only I_can find some excuse to seize it .' then he_called out to_the Lamb, ` how dare you muddle the water from_which I_am drinking ? '

`Nay, master, nay,' said Lambikin; ` if_the water be muddy up there, I_cannot_be the cause of it, for_it runs down from_you to_me .'

` well, then,' said the wolf, ` why did you call me bad names this_time last year ? '

` that cannot_be,' said the Lamb; ` I_am only six months old .'

`I don't care,' snarled the wolf; ` if_it_was not you it_was your father;' and with_that he rushed upon_the poor little Lamb and ate her all up . but before she died she gasped out ' any excuse will serve a tyrant .'