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Little Stories

The Bear & the Bees

Two Travelers were walking along the seashore. Far out they saw something riding on the waves.
     "Look," said one, "a great ship rides in from distant lands, bearing rich treasures!"
     The object they saw came ever nearer the shore.
      "No," said the other, "that is not a treasure ship. That is some fisherman's skiff, with the day's catch of savoury fish."
      Still nearer came the object. The waves washed it up on shore.
      "It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck," they cried. Both Travelers rushed to the beach, but there they found nothing but a water-soaked log.

"Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have."

The Bear & the Bees

A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey. The Bear began to nose around the log very carefully to find out if the Bees were at home. Just then one of the swarm came home from the clover field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the Bear was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply and then disappeared into the hollow log.
     The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the log tooth and claw, to destroy the nest. But this only brought out the whole swarm. The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.

"Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have."

The Rabbit, the Weasel & the Cat

A Rabbit left his home one day for a dinner of clover. But he forgot to latch the door of his house and while he was gone a Weasel walked in and calmly made himself at home. When the Rabbit returned, there was the Weasel's nose sticking out of the Rabbit's own doorway, sniffing the fine air.
The Rabbit was quite angry—for a Rabbit—, and requested the Weasel to move out. But the Weasel was perfectly content. He was settled down for good.
A wise old Cat heard the dispute and offered to settle it.
"Come close to me," said the Cat, "I am very deaf. Put your mouths close to my ears while you tell me the facts."
The unsuspecting pair did as they were told and in an instant the Cat had them both under her claws. No one could deny that the dispute had been definitely settled.

"The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage."

Zijing Li