There was a Fox who was swimming across the river. Suddenly the current of the river carried the fox along with it. He was so much in trouble, that he was unable to move.
A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him. A Hedgehog, passing by, saw his anguish and inquired if he should drive away the flies that were tormenting him.
"By no means," replied the Fox; "pray do not molest them."
"How is this?' said the Hedgehog; "do you not
want to be rid of them?' "No," returned the Fox,
"for these flies which you see are full of
blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid
me of these which are already satiated, others
more hungry will come in their place, and will
drink up all the blood I have left."