The Discontented Woman




The Baa-Sheep and the Lion.


A baa-sheep was lying under the paw of a black-maned lion. Whatever was
going to be done had to be done quickly. A thought flashed upon the sheep
and he said:

"Most dread lord and master, I have heard your voice extolled beyond that
of all others. Will you not sing me a little selection from Wagner before I
die?"

The lion, touched in his vanity, immediately started up and roared away
until the goose-flesh stood out on the rocks. When he had finished, the
sheep was in tears.

"What means this?" growled the lion in a rage. "Do you presume to criticise
my singing?"

"Oh, no!" sobbed the sheep. "That is not it. But I have heard that wool was
the worst thing in the world for the voice, and when I think of the ruin of
that beautiful organ of yours, consequent upon eating me, I weep to think
that I was not born hairless."

The lion regarded him out of the corner of his eye. Then, in his grandest
manner, said: "Run along home to your ma, little sheep; I was only playing