The Alderman and the Raccoon
from
Fantastic Fables by
Ambrose Bierce
"I SEE quite a number of rings on your tail," said an Alderman to a Raccoon that he met in a zoological garden.
"Yes," replied the Raccoon, "and I hear quite a number of tales on your ring."
The Alderman, being of a sensitive, retiring disposition, shrank from further comparison, and, strolling to another part of the garden, stole the camel.