A hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimedto be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds approachingand hoped to escape them by the aid of her many friends. So, shewent to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the houndson his back. But he declined, stating that he had important workto do for his master. "He felt sure," He said, "That all herother friends would come to her assistance." She then applied1 tothe bull, and hoped that he would repel2 the hounds with his horns. The bull replied: "I am very sorry, but I have an appointment witha lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what youwant." The goat, however, feared that his back might do her someharm if he took her upon it. The ram3, he felt sure, was theproper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told himthe case. The ram replied: "Another time, my dear friend. I donot like to interfere4 on the present occasion, as hounds have beenknown to eat sheep as well as hares." The hare then applied, as alast hope, to the calf5, who regretted that he was unable to helpher, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself,as so many older persons than himself had declined the task. Bythis time the hounds were quite near, and the hare took to herheels and luckily escaped. 
He that has many friends, has no friends. 