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A fawn met a little tiger and said, "What fine stripes you have!"
The little tiger said, "What fine spots you have!"
Then the fawn said, "It would be such a nice thing if you and I were to live together as friends. We might then roam through the woods as we like, and be so happy!"
"I think so too," said the tiger.
The two joined hands, and went out for a long walk. It was breakfast time. The fawn saw some fine grass in the lawn, and said to himself, "One should first see his friend fed and then feed." So he turned to the tiger and said, "Will you have some of this fine grass for your breakfast?"
The tiger put his nose to the grass; but could not bring himself to feed upon it, because it was against his nature; so he replied, "I am so sorry, I cannot eat it!"
Then the fawn said, "Allow me to go home for one moment and ask mamma for something that would suit you for breakfast."
So the fawn went home and told the hind of the happy friendship he had formed, and of all that had happened since.
The hind replied, "Child, how lucky it is that you have come away! You must know the tiger is the most deadly enemy we have in the woods."
At these words the fawn drew near to his dam and trembled.
The hind said, "It is indeed lucky to get away from the wicked at the first hint!"