ONCE there was a beautiful Hound. He had
long, silky ears, and a smooth,
bright skin;
and he was not only beautiful,
but strong
and swift, and a faithful servant. Wherever
his master went hunting, the
Hound went
with him, and chased the deer. After
many
years, the Hound grew old and
feeble; but
still he followed his master,
with the other
dogs.
One day a stag had been chased till
it was
almost tired out, and the old
Hound came
up with it, and seized it; but his
teeth were
old and broken, and could not hold
fast, so
that the stag gave a sudden bound,
and got
away. Just then the master
rode up, and,
seeing what had happened, was very
angry,
and took his whip to strike
his faithful old
Hound.
"O dear Master," said
he, "do not strike
me. I meant to do well. It
is not my fault
that I am old. Remember
what I have been,
if you do not like me as I am now."
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