The Weasel and the Mice

a weasel, inactive from age and infirmities, was not able to

catch mice as he once did. he therefore rolled himself in flour

and lay down in a dark corner. a mouse, supposing him to be

food, leaped upon him, and was instantly caught and squeezed to

death. another perished in a similar manner, and then a third,

and still others after them. a very old mouse, who had escaped

many a trap and snare1, observed from a safe distance the trick of

his crafty2 foe3 and said, "ah! you that lie there, may you prosper

just in the same proportion as you are what you pretend to be!"