Look before You Leap
Once upon a time a fox became very thirsty and went here and there in search of a drink. But it was not found anywhere. At last, he came to an old well in a field. He leaped in and drank and drank to his heart’s content.
Now, when his thirst was quenched lie tried to get out, but could find no means to escape, because the well all around was high and he could not climb up. He had stayed there for some time when he saw a goat at the top of the well. When he, overcome with thirst, came to the same well and seeing the fox inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging her to descend. The goat, mindfully only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. “If, said he, “you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your hack and escape, and will help you out afterward.” The goat readily ascended and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying himself with the Goat’s horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could.
When the Goat upbraided him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, “You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape.
