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The Stag, The Wolf, and The Sheep

[These versions are not exactly the same fable, but are similar enough to be included on the same page.]

Townsend version

A stag asked a Sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, and said that the Wolf would be his surety. The Sheep, fearing some fraud was intended, excused herself, saying, "The Wolf is accustomed to seize what he wants and to run off; and you, too, can quickly outstrip me in your rapid flight. How then shall I be able to find you, when the day of payment comes?'

Moral

Two blacks do not make one white.

L'Estrange version (A Dog, A Sheep, and A Wolf)

A dog brought an action of the case against a sheep, for some certain measures of wheat, that he had lent him. The plaintiff prov'd the debt by three positive witnesses, the wolf, the kite, and the vultur, (testes probi and legales). The defendent was cast into costs and damages, and forc'd to sell the wool off his back to satisfie the creditor.

Moral

'Tis not a straw matter whether the main cause be right or wrong, or the charge true or false; where the bench, jury and witnesses are in a conspiracy against the pris'ner.

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