There was once a dog that used to run up quietly behind people and bite their heels. Fed up of the numerous complaints, the owner tied a bell around the dog’s neck so that the sound of the bell would alert people whenever the dog came near them.



The dog felt the bell was a reward of some sort and became extremely conceited, turning up his nose whenever he met other dogs on the street. One day a hound brought him down to earth with some plain speaking and when the dog learnt why the bell had been put around his neck he slunk away in shame.