[Illustration: THE NURSE AND THE WOLF.]
A nurse, who was endeavouring to quiet a froward bawling child, among
other attempts, threatened to throw it out of doors to the Wolf, if it
did not leave off crying. A Wolf, who chanced to be prowling near the
door, just at that time, heard the expression, and believing the woman
to be in earnest, waited a long while about the house, in expectation of
seeing her words made good. But at last the child, wearied with its own
importunities, fell asleep, and the poor Wolf was forced to return back
to the woods empty and supperless. The Fox meeting him, and surprised to
see him going home so thin and disconsolate, asked him what the matter
was, and how he came to speed no better that night?--'Ah! do not ask
me,' says he; 'I was so silly as to believe what the Nurse said, and
have been disappointed.'