Fox and Goat
A Fox one day fell into a very deep well and couldn‘t escape. A Goat, who was very thirsty, came to the same well, and, seeing the Fox, asked if the water was any good. Concealing his sadness, and pretending to be happy, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was incredibly good and encouraging to join him. The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down. But as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in, and suggested a scheme for their escape.
“If you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and I will help you out afterwards.“
The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. He safely reached the mouth of the well and escaped. He ran off as fast as he could.
When the Goat told him that he was breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out:
“ You foolish Goat! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up! Nor would you have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape!“
Look before you leap.
