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One day a grasshopper was sporting gaily in a green meadow. A dove on an adjacent tree saw it, and, being tempted to eat it, came down. The grasshopper saw the object of the dove, but remained where it was, without moving an inch.
The dove, being surprised at this conduct of his victim, said, "Hollo! how is it you are not afraid of me?"
"Because," said the grasshopper, "you will do me no harm."
This surprised the dove more, and he said, "How so?"
"I'll tell you how; you love your mate, do you not? Well, even so, I love mine. Should a hunter catch you in his net now, would you not be sorry? So, if you should seize me, I should be sorry. If he should let you go, without doing you any harm, would you not be glad? Well, even so, I shall be glad if you let me go without doing me any harm."
These words touched the heart of the dove, and he let the grasshopper go without doing him any harm, saying, "As thou feelest, so do I."
When the good err, tell them so: it helps them, and helps you too.