Read THE VIPER AND THE FILE of Aesop's Fables, free online book, by Aesop, on ReadCentral.com.

A Viper entered a carpenter’s shop, and went from one to another of the tools, begging for something to eat.  Among the rest, he addressed himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal.  The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, “What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably take from every one and never give anything in return.”

    The covetous are poor givers.

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