The Stag and the Vine

A stag, from hunters fleeing, found, behind a tall and tangled vine, asylum safe from all assault.

The hunters thought their hounds had lost the scent, and called them off.

The stag, rejoicing at this narrowest escape, with inconceivable ingratitude began to graze upon his savior vine!

The hunters heard, returned, and ousted him.

About to die, the stag, repenting, called on ingrates everywhere to learn from his mistake. (It would have done no good if to the hunters he for clemency had prayed.)

You mustn’t fell the tree that gives you shade.