Once upon a time a Wolf was lapping at a spring on a hillside,

　　when, looking up, what should he see but a Lamb just beginning to

　　drink a little lower down. "There's my supper," thought he, "if

　　only I can find some excuse to seize it." Then he called out to

　　the Lamb, "How dare you muddle1 the water from which I am

　　drinking?"

　　"Nay2, master, nay," said Lambikin; "if the water be muddy up

　　there, I cannot be the cause of it, for it runs down from you to

　　me."

　　"Well, then," said the Wolf, "why did you call me bad names

　　this time last year?"

　　"That cannot be," said the Lamb; "I am only six months old."

　　"I don't care," snarled3 the Wolf; "if it was not you it was

　　your father;" and with that he rushed upon the poor little Lamb

　　and

　　.WARRA WARRA WARRA WARRA WARRA

　　.ate her all up. But before she died she gasped4 out

　　"Any excuse will serve a tyrant5."