The Fox and the Goat

: Aesop's Fables

A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of

escape. A Goat, 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 him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his

thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just
s 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 back and escape, and will help you out afterwards." The Goat

readily assented 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."



Look before you leap.



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