The Fables of Phædrus

Driven by thirst, a Wolf and a Lamb had come to the same stream; the Wolf stood above, and the Lamb at a distance below. Then, the spoiler, prompted by a ravenous maw, alleged a pretext for a quarrel. "Why," said he, "have you made the water muddy for me while I am drinking?" The Fleece-bearer, trembling, answered: "Prithee, Wolf, how can I do what you complain of? The water is flowing downwards from you to where I am drinking." The other, disconcerted by the force of truth, exclaimed: "Six months ago, you slandered me." "Indeed," answered the Lamb, "I was not born then." "By Hercules," said the Wolf, "then "twas your father slandered me;" and so, snatching him up, he tore him to pieces, killing him unjustly. This Fable is applicable to those men who, under false pretences, oppress the innocent.