10 The Old Hound

The Old Hound
An old hound had served his master extremely well
in the field but had lost his strength over the years
and now had many troubles. One day, while out hunt-
ing with his master, he encountered a wild boar and
boldly seized the beast by the ear, but his teeth gave
way, and the boar escaped. His master rushed to the
scene and began giving the hound a good scolding and
sound beating, but he stopped when the feeble dog
looked up and said," Spare your old servant, dear
master! You know full well that neither my courage
nor my will were at fault,but only my strength and my teeth ,and these I have lost in your service.