A fox one day fell into a deep well and could find no means ofescape. A goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, andseeing the fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing1 hissad plight2 under a merry guise3, the fox indulged in a lavishpraise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, andencouraging him to descend4. The goat, mindful only of histhirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the foxinformed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested ascheme for their common escape. "If," Said he, "You will placeyour forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run upyour back and escape, and will help you out afterwards." The goatreadily assented5 and the fox leaped upon his back. Steadyinghimself with the goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of thewell and made off as fast as he could. When the goat upbraidedhim for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out,"You foolish old fellow! if you had as many brains in your headas you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone downbefore you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself todangers from which you had no means of escape." 
Look before you leap. 