The Milkmaid And Her Pail

by Aesop

　　A Milkmaid had been out to milk the cows and was returning fromthe field with the shining milk pail balanced nicely on her head.As she walked along, her pretty head was busy with plans for thedays to come.

　　"This good, rich milk," she mused, "will give me plenty of creamto churn. The butter I make I will take to market, and with themoney I get for it I will buy a lot of eggs for hatching. Hownice it will be when they are all hatched and the yard is full offine young chicks. Then when May day comes I will sell them, andwith the money I'll buy a lovely new dress to wear to the fair.All the young men will look at me. They will come and try to makelove to me,—but I shall very quickly send them about theirbusiness!"

　　As she thought of how she would settle that matter, she tossedher head scornfully, and down fell the pail of milk to theground. And all the milk flowed out, and with it vanished butterand eggs and chicks and new dress and all the milkmaid's pride.

　　Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.