Quoted By:
>The Fox Who Lost His Tail
>Aesop
>A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away.
>But he had to leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him.
>For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back.
>But it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him out of his trouble.
>He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great importance to tell the tribe.
>When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails.
>This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge.
>That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his brush.
>Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt.
>With such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.
>When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling:
>“Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer.”
>When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.
MORAL OF THE STORY
>Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you to his own level.
