One night, in the season when the hawthorn flowers were blooming and perfuming the air, Brother Wolf came out of the woods, and ran down the hill in a brisk gallop. A little Snail saw Brother Wolf—a little Snail, who, to accommodate himself, carried his house on his back and his horns on his head. He was a very funny little Snail; and, as Brother Wolf was passing, he laughed aloud—

"Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!"

Hearing this, Brother Wolf paused, turned around, and said:

"Why do you laugh, little Snail?"

"Why do I laugh?" exclaimed Mr. Snail.

"Yes," said Brother Wolf. "Do you see anything ridiculous about me?"

"No, Brother Wolf," said Mr. Snail; "on the contrary, you make a very fine appearance. You have on your Sunday clothes, and you are handsome indeed. No, Brother Wolf, you are not at all ridiculous."

"Why, then, this laughter?" inquired Brother Wolf. "Answer me at once, for I am in a hurry. Speak this instant, or it will not be well for you."

"Do not get angry, Brother Wolf; it is not worth while. I only laughed to see you running so fast when neither dogs nor men were pursuing you. Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"I am going to the city," said Brother Wolf.

"To the city?" exclaimed Mr. Snail. "What do you propose to do there?"

"I want to see my brother, who is sick in the menagerie. He has written me to come to him."

"That is very queer," said Mr. Snail. "I am going to the city also."

"Bosh!" exclaimed Brother Wolf, contemptuously. "Hens will have teeth and sows side-pockets before you get there."

Mr. Snail felt himself somewhat insulted at Brother Wolf's remark, and replied:

"I do not know how long it takes a hen to have teeth; but one thing I do know, and that is, that I will arrive in the city before you do."

"You have no legs, and you carry your house on your back," said Brother Wolf; "how will you manage to get there?"

"Don't trouble about that," said Mr. Snail. "My house is mine, and I do not need legs. I will be in the city before you."

"You make me very tired with your talk," said Brother Wolf. "If you are not joking, let us wager a breakfast that you do not get there first—that is, if you are not joking."

"Very well, then," said Mr. Snail, "let it be a breakfast. I even give you three jumps in advance, and after that you may gallop."

While Brother Wolf was making ready for the start, Mr. Snail crawled up on his tail. When the signal was given, the Wolf hurried on, going very rapidly and without a moment's rest. He arrived in the city the next day; but found the gates closed. Brother Wolf knocked very hard, and waited for some one to come and admit him.

During this time Mr. Snail dropped on the ground and climbed on the wall.

"Is that you, my friend?" he exclaimed. "I have been waiting for you a long time. I am hungry now, and want my breakfast."