The _Hares_ and the _Frogs_.
Once upon a time the _Hares_ found themselves mightily Unsatisfy’d with
a Miserable Condition they Liv’d in, and call’d a Council to Advise
upon’t. Here we live, says one of ’em at the Mercy of Men, Dogs, Eagles,
and I know not how many Other Creatures and Vermin, that Prey upon us at
Pleasure; Perpetually in Frights, Perpetually in Danger; And therefore I
am absolutely of Opinion that we had better Die once for All, then live
at This rate in a Continual Dread that’s Worse then Death it self. The
Motion was Seconded and Debated, and a Resolution Immediately taken, _One
and All_, to Drown Themselves. The Vote was no sooner pass’d, but away
they Scudded with That Determination to the Next Lake. Upon this Hurry,
there leapt a Whole Shoal of _Frogs_ from the Bank into the Water, for
fear of the _Hares_. Nay, then my Masters, says one of the Gravest of the
Company, pray let’s have a little Patience. Our Condition I find is not
altogether so bad as we fancy’d it; for there are those you see that are
as much afraid of Us, as we are of Others.
The MORAL of the Two FABLES above.
_There’s No Contending with the Orders and Decrees of Providence. He
that Made us knows what’s Fittest for us; and Every man’s Own Lot (well
understood and Manag’d) is Undoubtedly the Best._