once entered a merchant's warehouse, and finding nothing to his taste, was quietly going out. The merchant, who wished to have a joke with him, said, "My dear sir, may I know what you wish to purchase?"

"I am afraid you have it not," said the fox.

"What! we have everything, from a needle to an anchor," said the merchant. "That is just what I want," said the fox. "If you have a needle as big as an anchor, and an anchor as small as a needle, you will oblige me!"

"Ah!" said the merchant? "in war and wit, they win by a hit!"