[Illustration: THE KITE, THE FROG, AND THE MOUSE.]
There was once a great emulation between the Frog and the Mouse, which
should be master of the fen, and wars ensued upon it. But the crafty
Mouse, lurking under the grass in ambuscade, made sudden sallies, and
often surprised the enemy at a disadvantage. The Frog, excelling in
strength, and being more able to leap abroad and take the field,
challenged the Mouse to single combat. The Mouse accepts the challenge;
and each of them entered the lists, armed with a point of a bulrush
instead of a spear. A Kite, sailing in the air, beheld them afar off;
and, while they were eagerly bent upon each other, and pressing on to
the duel, this fatal enemy descended souse upon them, and with her
crooked talons carried off both the champions.