How charming to realize the saying!--
'That friend only is the true friend who is near when trouble comes;
That man only is the brave man who can bear the battle-drums;
Words are wind; deed proveth promise: he who helps at need is kin;
And the leal wife is loving though the husband lose or win,'
And is it not written--
'Friend and kinsman--more their meaning than the idle-hearted mind.
Many a friend can prove unfriendly, many a kinsman less than kind:
He who shares his comrade's portion, be he beggar, be he lord,
Comes as truly, comes as duly, to the battle as the board--
Stands before the king to succor, follows to the pile to sigh--
He is friend, and he is kinsman--less would make the name a lie.'
"Small-wit answered nothing, but betook himself to examining the snare
very closely.
'This will certainly hold,' muttered he; then, turning to the Deer, he
said, 'Good friend, these strings, you see, are made of sinew, and
to-day is a fast-day, so that I cannot possibly bite them. To-morrow
morning, if you still desire it, I shall be happy to serve you,'
When he was gone, the Crow, who had missed the Deer upon returning that
evening, and had sought for him everywhere, discovered him; and seeing
his sad plight, exclaimed--
'How came this about, my friend?'
'This came,' replied the Deer, 'through disregarding a friend's advice,'
'Where is that rascal Small-wit?' asked the Crow.
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