A Countryman being in want of a handle for his hatchet, entered a wood
and looked among the branches for one that would suit his purpose. The
Trees, with a curiosity natural to some other creatures, asked him what
he was seeking? He replied that he only wanted a piece of wood to make
a handle to his axe, and begged they would be so good as to permit him
to serve himself. Since that is all, said the Trees, help yourself,
and welcome. He immediately availed himself of the permission, and had
no sooner fitted up his instrument, than he began pell-mell to cut and
hack about him, felling the noblest trees in all the forest, without
distinction. The Oak is said to have spoke thus to the Beech, in a low
whisper: Brother, we must take all this for our easy credulity, and
imprudent generosity.