Two Foxes raided a hen-roost killing all. The Young Fox ate all he could until he died. The Old Fox saved for the next day but was killed on return.
Every age has its peculiar vice.
JBR Collection
Two Foxes formed a stratagem to enter a hen-roost, which they successfully executed. They killed the cock, the hens, and the chickens, and then began to feed upon them with singular satisfaction. One of the Foxes, who was young and inconsiderate, was for devouring them all upon the spot; the other, who was old and covetous, proposed to reserve some of them for another time. “For experience, child,” said he, “has made me wise, and I have seen many unexpected events since I came into the world. Let us provide, therefore, against what may happen, and not consume all our stores at one meal.” “All this is wondrous wise,” replied the young Fox, “but for my part I am resolved not to stir until I have eaten as much as will serve me a whole week; for who would be mad enough to return hither, where it is certain the owner of these fowls will watch for us, and if he should catch us, would certainly put us to death?” After this short discourse, each pursued his own scheme. The young Fox ate till he burst himself, and had scarcely strength to reach his hole before he died. The old one who thought it much better to deny his appetite for the present, and lay up provision for the future, returned the next day, and was killed by the farmer. Thus every age has its peculiar vice: the young suffer by their insatiable thirst after pleasure, and the old by their incorrigible and inordinate avarice.