AESOP S FABLES BY AESOP. This PDF ebook was produced in the year 2008 by Tantor Media, Incorporated, which holds the copyright thereto.

Transcription

1 AESOP S FABLES BY AESOP This PDF ebook was produced in the year 2008 by Tantor Media, Incorporated, which holds the copyright thereto.

2 HOW TO USE THIS TANTOR ebook SEARCHING: Simply click on the chapter name in the table of contents and you will be taken to that chapter s first page. You do not need to click on chapters in sequence, you can go to any chapter at any time.. TO GET BACK: Just click on the chapter title at the beginning of any chapter and it will return you the table of contents. Click here to go to Chapter Nine Click here to return to the Table of Contents PRINTING A CHAPTER: If you prefer to have a printed page in front of you while listening to your audiobook, you can print a page, a chapter or any selection you wish by selecting the page(s) you wish to print, then going to Adobe Reader s file menu and select print.

3 Publisher s Note: The following ebook contains a translation of Aesop s Fables that is slightly different from the audio program. Contents Mercury and the Woodman The Hare and the Tortoise The Dog in the Manger The Wolf in Sheep s Clothing The Fox and the Crow The Gardener and His Dog The Angler and the Little Fish The Fawn and Her Mother The Milkmaid and Her Pail The Ant and the Grasshopper The Mice in Council The Gnat and the Bull The Fox and the Goat The Ass Carrying Salt The Fox and the Grapes The Hare with Many Friends The Hare and the Hound The House-Dog and the Wolf The Goose with the Golden Eggs The Fox and the Hedgehog The Horse and the Stag The Goatherd and the Goats Androcles and the Lion The Ant and the Dove The One Eyed Doe The Ass and His Masters The Lion and the Dolphin The Ass Eating Thistles The Hawk and the Pigeons The Belly and the Other Members 2

4 The Hen and the Fox The Cat and the Mice The Miller His Son and Their Donkey The Ass the Cock and the Lion The Lion and the Goat The Crow and the Pitcher The Boasting Traveler The Eagle the Wildcat and the Sow The Ass and the Grasshopper The Heifer and the Ox The Fox and the Stork The Farmer and the Nightingale The Ass and the Lapdog The Cock and the Jewel Jupiter and the Bee The Horse and the Groom The Mischievous Dog The Blind Man and the Whelp The Cock and the Fox The Eagle and the Fox The Horse and the Laden Ass The Miser The Kid and the Wolf The Porcupine and the Snakes The Creaking Wheels The Lion in Love The Fox Without a Tail The Arab and the Camel The Raven and the Swan Hercules and the Wagoner The Man and the Satyr The Lark and Her Young Ones The Boy and the Filberts The Lion the Ass and the Fox The Lion the Bear and the Fox 3

5 The Monkey and the Camel The Ass in the Lions Skin The Hawk and the Farmer The Lioness Mercury and the Sculptor The Farmer and His Sons The Bundle of Sticks The Eagle and the Crow The Stag at the Pool The Bull and the Goat The Wind and the Sun The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf The Hen and the Cat The Wolf and the Goat The Farthing Rushlight The Lion and the Mouse The Boy and the Nettles The Thief and His Mother The Eagle and the Beetle The Two Pots The Young Man and the Swallow The Farmer and the Stork The Man and the Lion The Lion and His Three Councilors The Stag in the Ox-Stall The Fox and the Woodman The Lion and the Other Beasts Go Hunting The Mule The Nurse and the Wolf The Travelers and the Bear The Father and His Two Daughters The Dog Invited to Supper The Mountebank and the Farmer The Dog and the Shadow The Old Man and Death 4

6 The Mouse and the Frog The Oak and the Reed The Swallows Advice The Old Woman and the Physician The Eagle and the Arrow The Thief and the Boy The Fir Tree and the Bramble The Vain Crow The Two Crabs The Mountain in Labor The Fisherman Piping The Man and His Two Wives The Old Woman and Her Maids The Monkey and the Dolphin The Wild Boar and the Fox The Trees and the Ax The Mouse and the Weasel The Lion and the Ass Go Hunting The Fox and the Bramble The Two Frogs The Travelers and the Hatchet The Horse and the Lion The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle The Birds the Beasts and the Bat The Farmer and the Snake The Thief and the Dog The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner The Three Tradesmen The Shepherd and the Sea The Farmer and His Dogs The Quack Frog The Bald Knight The Ass and His Driver Venus and the Cat The Wolf and the Shepherds 5

7 The Hedge and the Vineyard The Widow and the Hen The Stag and the Vine The Bathing Boy The Fox and the Cat The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse The Frogs Who Desired a King The Fox and the Lion The Tortoise and the Birds The Wolf and the Lamb The Four Oxen and the Lion The Sick Lion The Frog and the Ox The Wolf and the Crane The Hares and the Frogs 6

8 Mercury and the Woodman AN honest hard working Woodman was felling a tree on the bank of a deep river. In some way his hand slipped and his axe fell into the water and immediately sank to the bottom. Being a poor man who could ill afford to lose the tool by which he earned his livelihood he sat down and lamented his loss most bitterly. But Mercury whose river it was suddenly appeared on the scene. When he learned of the woodman s misfortune he offered to do what he could to help. Diving into the deep swift flowing stream he brought up an axe made of solid gold. Would this be yours? he asked. Alas I wish it were, replied the Woodman sadly. Again Mercury dived into the icy cold water and this time brought up an axe made of solid silver. But again the woodman shook his head and denied that the tool belonged to him. Mercury dived a third time and produced the identical axe which the man had lost. Naturally the owner was delighted to see his trusty axe once more and so was Mercury. You are an honest and a good man said the messenger of the gods. I want you to take the golden and the silver axe as a reward for telling the truth. Thanking his benefactor the Woodman ran home to tell his wife of his good fortune. As the story spread one of the neighbors rushed down to the same spot on the river bank threw his axe into the river and began to moan and groan over his loss. Just as before Mercury appeared and learning what had occurred dived into the water and fetched up a golden axe. Is this the axe you lost my friend? he asked Yes. Yes, that s it! cried the man, greedily reaching for the golden axe in Mercury s hand. But just as he was about to grasp the axe of gold Mercury said, not so fast sir. You are lying and to punish you for not being truthful I am not only denying you this, but I am leaving your own axe at the bottom of the river. Moral: Honesty is the best policy. 7

9 The Hare and the Tortoise THE Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. I have never yet been beaten, said he, when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me. The Tortoise said quietly, I accept your challenge. That is a good joke, said the Hare; I could dance round you all the way. Keep your boasting till you ve beaten, answered the Tortoise. Shall we race? So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race. The Dog in the Manger Moral: Slow and steady wins the race. A DOG looking out for its afternoon nap jumped into the Manger of an Ox and lay there cosily upon the straw. But soon the Ox, returning from its afternoon work, came up to the Manger and wanted to eat some of the straw. The Dog in a rage, being awakened from its slumber, stood up and barked at the Ox, and whenever it came near attempted to bite it. At last the Ox had to give up the hope of getting at the straw. Moral: Some people often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves. 8

10 The Wolf in Sheep s Clothing A WOLF had been lurking near a flock of sheep for several days. But so vigilant had been the shepherd in guarding his animals that the Wolf was becoming desperate. Then one day the Wolf found a sheepskin that had been thrown away, quickly he slipped it over his own hide and made his way among the flock of grazing sheep. Even the shepherd was deceived by the rouse, and when night came the Wolf in his disguise was shut up with the sheep in the fold. But that evening the Shepherd wanting something for his supper, went down to the fold and reaching in seized the first animal he came to mistaking the Wolf for a sheep, the Shepherd killed him on the spot. The Fox and the Crow Moral: Appearances often are deceptive. A FOX once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. That s for me, as I am a Fox, said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree. Good-day, Mistress Crow, he cried. How well you are looking to-day: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds. The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox. That will do, said he. That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future Moral: Do not trust flatterers. 9

11 The Gardener and His Dog A GARDENER S Dog fell into a deep well, from which his master used to draw water for the plants in his garden with a rope and a bucket. Failing to get the Dog out by means of these, the Gardener went down into the well himself in order to fetch him up. But the Dog thought he had come to make sure of drowning him; so he bit his master as soon as he came within reach, and hurt him a good deal, with the result that he left the Dog to his fate and climbed out of the well, remarking, It serves me quite right for trying to save so determined a suicide. Moral: Don t bite the hand that feeds you. The Angler and the Little Fish A MAN was angling in a river, and caught a small perch; which, as he was taking of the hook, and going to put it into his basket, opened its mouth, and began to implore his pity, begging that he would throw it in the river again. Upon the man s demanding what reason he had to expect such a favour? Why says the little fish, because at present, I am but young and little, and consequently not so well worth your while, as I shall be, if you take me some time hence, when I am grown larger. That may be, replies the man; but I am not one of those fools who quit a certainty in expectation of an uncertainty. Moral: Beware the promises of a desperate man. 10

12 The Fawn and Her Mother A YOUNG fawn once said to her Mother, You are larger than a dog, and swifter, and more used to running, and you have your horns as a defense; why, then, O Mother! do the hounds frighten you so? She smiled, and said: I know full well, my child, that all you say is true. I have the advantages you mention, but when I hear even the bark of a single dog I feel ready to faint, and fly away as fast as I can. Moral: No arguments will give courage to the coward. The Milkmaid and Her Pail A MILKMAID was going to market carrying her milk in a Pail on her head. As she went along she began calculating what she would do with the money she would get for the milk. I ll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown, said she, and they will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson s wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs I ll buy myself a new dimity frock and a chip hat; and when I go to market, won t all the young men come up and speak to me! Polly Shaw will be that jealous; but I don t care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this. As she spoke she tossed her head back, the Pail fell off it, and all the milk was spilt. So she had to go home and tell her mother what had occurred. Moral: Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. The Ant and the Grasshopper IN a field one summer s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. Why not come and chat with me, said the Grasshopper, instead of toiling and moiling in that way? 11

13 I am helping to lay up food for the winter, said the Ant, and recommend you to do the same. Why bother about winter? said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present. But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: Moral: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity. The Mice in Council THE Mice called a general council, and having met, after the doors were locked, entered into a free consultation about ways and means, how to render their fortunes and estates more secure from the dangers of the cat. Many things were offered, and much was debated pro and con, upon the matter. At last a young mouse, in a fine florid speech, concluded upon an expedient, and that the only one which was to put them in future entirely out of the power of the enemy; and this was, that the cat should wear a bell about his neck, which upon the least motion, would give the alarm, and be a signal for them to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great applause, and it was even proposed by some, that the mouse who made it should have the thanks of the assembly. Upon which, an old gray mouse, who had sat silent all the while, stood up, and in another speech owned that the contrivance was admirable, and the author of it without a doubt an ingenious mouse; but, he said, he thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks, till he should farther inform them how this bell was to be fastened about the cat s neck, and what mouse would undertake to do it. Moral: It is one thing to propose another to execute. 12

14 The Gnat and the Bull A GNAT settled on the horn of a Bull, and sat there a long time. Just as he was about to fly off, he made a buzzing noise, and inquired of the Bull if he would like him to go. The Bull replied, I did not know you had come, and I shall not miss you when you go away. Moral: The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. The Fox and the Goat A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. If, said he, you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards. The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying himself with the Goat s horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape. Moral: It is not safe to trust the advice of a man in difficulties. 13

15 The Ass Carrying Salt A CERTAIN Huckster who kept an Ass, hearing that Salt was to be had cheap at the sea-side, drove down his Ass thither to buy some. Having loaded the beast as much as he could bear, he was driving him home, when, as they were passing a slippery ledge of rock, the Ass fell into the stream below, and the Salt being melted, the Ass was relieved of his burden, and having gained the bank with ease, pursued his journey onward, light in body and in spirit. The Huckster soon afterwards set off for the sea-shore for some more Salt, and loaded the Ass, if possible, yet more heavily than before. On their return, as they crossed the stream into which he had formerly fallen, the Ass fell down on purpose, and by the dissolving of the Salt, was again released from his load. The Master, provoked at the loss, and thinking how he might cure him of this trick, on his next journey to the coast freighted the beast with a load of sponges. When they arrived at the same stream as before, the Ass was at his old tricks again, and rolled himself into the water; but he found to his cost, as he proceeded homewards, that instead of lightening his burden, he had more than doubled its weight. Moral: An old trick may be played once too often. The Fox and the Grapes ONE hot summer s day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. Just the thing to quench my thirst, quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: I am sure they are sour. Moral: It is easy to despise what you cannot get. 14

16 The Hare with Many Friends A HARE was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends. So, she went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But he declined, stating that he had important work to do for his master. He felt sure, he said, that all her other friends would come to her assistance. She then applied to the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns. The bull replied: I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want. The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it. The ram, he felt sure, was the proper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told him the case. The ram replied: Another time, my dear friend. I do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well as hares. The Hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself had declined the task. By this time the hounds were quite near, and the Hare took to her heels and luckily escaped. Moral: He who has many friends, has no friends. The Hare and the Hound A HOUND started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying The little one is the best runner of the two. The Hound replied, You do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life. Moral: Necessity is our strongest weapon. 15

17 The House-Dog and the Wolf ONCE upon a time, as the full moon was shining down upon the land, a thin and starving wolf came upon a well-fed, healthy house dog, busy guarding his owner s house. How is it that you look so well? the struggling wolf asked the dog, amazed by his robust appearance during these times of hardship. The wilderness is especially harsh this year, I can hardly find a thing to eat. My dear cousin wolf, the house dog said, the problem lies with the way you live. It s not easy to make ends meet, without a steady job. And you have that? the wolf asked, incredulously. You bet, said the house dog. I guard my master s house each night, frightening away the thieves; and for that, he feeds me well. As you can see. Just as much as that, I can always be sure of a roof above my head, whenever it rains or snows, while you - you must suffer so terribly in the cold! It s not easy, the wolf admitted. Well why not join me? the house dog asked, generously inviting the wolf to join the household. I could use a helper, and I m sure my master would take good care of you. Excited and grateful at this new opportunity, the wolf began to follow the dog into the house, when, all of a sudden, he noted a strange mark upon the house dog s neck, and unable to repress his curiosity, finally asked him: Dear friend forgive me for asking but how did you come by that mark upon your neck? That? Oh, that s nothing, the house dog assured him. Just the mark left behind by the collar I wear during the day. Collar? gasped the wolf. Certainly, said the dog. You see, my master keeps me chained up by day, for I am such a good guard dog that he is a little wary of me, himself. But it doesn t matter; I m free to roam about at night as I patrol his property. But at this, the wolf suddenly seemed to lose interest in his new job. Hey wait a minute where are you going?! asked the house dog, as the thin and hungry wolf turned away from him, and slowly trotted 16

18 off, back towards the unforgiving forest from which he d come. The house is this way! But the wolf only called back, as he disappeared among the trees: Good-bye, my poor, poor friend. Enjoy the fine food your master gives you, and the warmth of your home. As for me, I d rather endure hunger than wear your chains! Moral: Lean freedom is better than fat slavery. The Goose with the Golden Eggs ONE day a countryman going to the nest of his Goose found there an egg all yellow and glittering. When he took it up it was as heavy as lead and he was going to throw it away, because he thought a trick had been played upon him. But he took it home on second thoughts, and soon found to his delight that it was an egg of pure gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and he soon became rich by selling his eggs. As he grew rich he grew greedy; and thinking to get at once all the gold the Goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find nothing. Moral: Greed oft o er reaches itself. 17

19 The Fox and the Hedgehog A FOX swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of the current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long time very much bruised, sick, and unable to move. A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him. A Hedgehog, passing by, saw his anguish and inquired if he should drive away the flies that were tormenting him. By no means, replied the Fox; pray do not molest them. How is this? said the Hedgehog; do you not want to be rid of them? No, returned the Fox, for these flies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others more hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left. Moral: A needy thief steals more than one who enjoys plenty. The Horse and the Stag AT one time the Horse had the plain entirely to himself. Then a Stag intruded into his domain and shared his pasture. The Horse, desiring to revenge himself on the stranger, asked a man if he were willing to help him in punishing the Stag. The man replied that if the Horse would receive a bit in his mouth and agree to carry him, he would contrive effective weapons against the Stag. The Horse consented and allowed the man to mount him. From that hour he found that instead of obtaining revenge on the Stag, he had enslaved himself to the service of man. Moral: Liberty is too high a price to pay for revenge. 18

20 The Goatherd and the Goats A GOATHERD, driving his flock from their pasture at eventide, found some Wild Goats mingled among them, and shut them up together with his own for the night. The next day it snowed very hard, so that he could not take the herd to their usual feeding places, but was obliged to keep them in the fold. He gave his own goats just sufficient food to keep them alive, but fed the strangers more abundantly in the hope of enticing them to stay with him and of making them his own. When the thaw set in, he led them all out to feed, and the Wild Goats scampered away as fast as they could to the mountains. The Goatherd scolded them for their ingratitude in leaving him, when during the storm he had taken more care of them than of his own herd. One of them, turning about, said to him: That is the very reason why we are so cautious; for if you yesterday treated us better than the Goats you have had so long, it is plain also that if others came after us, you would in the same manner prefer them to ourselves. Moral: Old friends cannot with impunity be sacrificed for new ones. Androcles and the Lion A SLAVE named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was 19

21 led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. The Ant and the Dove Moral: Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove take wing. Moral: One good turn deserves another. 20

22 The One Eyed Doe A DOE blind in one eye was accustomed to graze as near to the edge of the cliff as she possibly could, in the hope of securing her greater safety. She turned her sound eye towards the land that she might get the earliest tidings of the approach of hunter or hound, and her injured eye towards the sea, from whence she entertained no anticipation of danger. Some boatmen sailing by saw her, and taking a successful aim, mortally wounded her. Yielding up her last breath, she gasped forth this lament: O wretched creature that I am! to take such precaution against the land, and after all to find this seashore, to which I had come for safety, so much more perilous. Moral: Trouble comes from the direction we least expect it The Ass and His Masters AN Ass, belonging to an herb-seller who gave him too little food and too much work made a petition to Jupiter to be released from his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter, after warning him that he would repent his request, caused him to be sold to a tile-maker. Shortly afterwards, finding that he had heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field, he petitioned for another change of master. Jupiter, telling him that it would be the last time that he could grant his request, ordained that he be sold to a tanner. The Ass found that he had fallen into worse hands, and noting his master s occupation, said, groaning: It would have been better for me to have been either starved by the one, or to have been overworked by the other of my former masters, than to have been bought by my present owner, who will even after I am dead tan my hide, and make me useful to him. Moral: He that finds discontentment in one place is not likely to find happiness in another. 21

23 The Lion and the Dolphin A LION roaming by the seashore saw a Dolphin lift up its head out of the waves, and suggested that they contract an alliance, saying that of all the animals they ought to be the best friends, since the one was the king of beasts on the earth, and the other was the sovereign ruler of all the inhabitants of the ocean. The Dolphin gladly consented to this request. Not long afterwards the Lion had a combat with a wild bull, and called on the Dolphin to help him. The Dolphin, though quite willing to give him assistance, was unable to do so, as he could not by any means reach the land. The Lion abused him as a traitor. The Dolphin replied, Nay, my friend, blame not me, but Nature, which, while giving me the sovereignty of the sea, has quite denied me the power of living upon the land. Moral: In choosing allies look at their power as well as their will to help you. The Ass Eating Thistles AN Ass, laden with choice provision of several sorts, was on his way to the field. His master and the reapers were at work there, and the provision that he carried was for the entertainment of man and beast. Seeing a large, strong thistle by the roadside, he stopped to eat it. Many people would wonder, thought he, that, with such dainty food upon my back, I should have appetite for the despised thistle; but to me the bitter, prickly weed has a more savory relish than anything else in the world. Let other choose what they will, but give me a fine, juicy thistle like this, and I will be content. Moral: One man s meat may be another man s poison. 22

24 The Hawk and the Pigeons SOME pigeons had long lived in fear of a hawk, but since they had always kept on the alert and stayed near their dovecote, they had consistently managed to escape their enemy s attacks. Finding his sallies unsuccessful, the hawk now sought to use cunning to trick the pigeons. Why, he once asked, do you prefer this life of constant anxiety when I could keep you safe from any conceivable attack by the kites and falcons? All you have to do is to make me your king, and I won t bother you anymore. Trusting his claims, the pigeons elected him to their throne, but no sooner was he installed than he began exercising his royal prerogative by devouring a pigeon a day. It serves us right, said one poor pigeon whose turn was yet to come. Moral: Some remedies are worse than the disease itself. The Belly and the Other Members ONE fine day it occurred to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food. So they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work till the Belly consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two, the Hands refused to take the food, the Mouth refused to receive it, and the Teeth had no work to do. But after a day or two the Members began to find that they themselves were not in a very active condition: the Hands could hardly move, and the Mouth was all parched and dry, while the Legs were unable to support the rest. So thus they found that even the Belly in its dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the Body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces. Moral: As in the body, so in the state, each member in his proper sphere must work for the common good 23

25 The Hen and the Fox A FOX having crept into an out-house, looked up and down, seeking what he might devour; and at last spied a Hen sitting upon the uppermost perch, so high, that he could by no means come at her. He then ad recourse to his own stratagems; dear cousin, ways he addressing himself to the Hen, how do you do? I heard that you were ill, and kept within; at which I was so concerned, that I could not rest till I came to see you. Pray, how is it with you now? Let me feel your pulse a little; indeed you do not look well at all. He was running on after this impudent fulsome manner, when the Hen answered him from the roost, truly, cousin Reynard, you are in the right on it; I never was in more pain in my life; I must beg your pardon for being so free as to tell you, that I see no company; and you must excuse me too for not coming down to you; for, to say the truth, my condition is such, that I fear I should catch my death if I should do it. The Cat and the Mice Moral: Beware of the insincere friend. A CERTAIN house was much infested with mice; but at last they got a cat, who catched and eat every day some of them. The mice finding their numbers grew thin, consulted what was best to be done for the preservation of the public, from the jaws of the devouring cat. They debated, and came to this resolution, that no on should go down below the upper shelf. The cat, observing the mice no longer come down as usual, hungry and disappointed of her prey, had recourse to this stratagem; she hung by her hinder legs on a pet, which stuck in the wall, and made as if she had been dead, hoping by this lure to entice the mice to come down. She had not been in this posture long, before a cunning old mouse peeped over the edge of the shelf, and spoke thus: Aha, my good friend! are you there? There you may be! I would not trust myself with you, though your skin were stuffed with straw. Moral: He is once deceived is doubly cautious. 24

26 The Miller His Son and Their Donkey A MILLER and his son were driving their Donkey to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop of women collected round a well, talking and laughing. Look there, cried one of them, did you ever see such fellows, to be trudging along the road on foot when they might ride? The old man hearing this, quickly made his son mount the Donkey, and continued to walk along merrily by his side. Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate. There, said one of them, it proves what I was a-saying. What respect is shown to old age in these days? Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk? Get down, you young scapegrace, and let the old man rest his weary limbs. Upon this the old man made his son dismount, and got up himself. In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met a company of women and children: Why, you lazy old fellow, cried several tongues at once, how can you ride upon the beast, while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you? The goodnatured Miller immediately took up his son behind him. They had now almost reached the town. Pray, honest friend, said a citizen, is that Donkey your own? Yes, replied the old man. O, one would not have thought so, said the other, by the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you. Anything to please you, said the old man; we can but try. So, alighting with his son, they tied the legs of the Donkey together and with the help of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town. This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it, till the Donkey, not liking the noise nor the strange handling that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound him and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased nobody, and lost his Donkey in the bargain. Moral: Try to please all and you end by pleasing none. 25

27 The Ass the Cock and the Lion AN Ass and a Cock were in a straw-yard together when a Lion, desperate from hunger, approached the spot. He was about to spring upon the Ass, when the Cock (to the sound of whose voice the Lion, it is said, has a singular aversion) crowed loudly, and the Lion fled away as fast as he could. The Ass, observing his trepidation at the mere crowing of a Cock summoned courage to attack him, and galloped after him for that purpose. He had run no long distance, when the Lion, turning about, seized him and tore him to pieces. The Lion and the Goat Moral: False confidence often leads into danger. ON a summer s day, when everything was suffering from extreme heat, a Lion and a Goat came at the same time to quench their thirst at a small fountain. They at once fell to quarrelling which should first drink of the water, till at length it seemed that each was determined to resist the other even to death. But, ceasing from the strife for a moment, to recover breath, they saw a flock of vultures hovering over them, only waiting to pounce upon whichever of them should fall. Whereupon they instantly made up their quarrel, agreeing that it was far better for them both to become friends, than to furnish food for the crows and vultures. Moral: It is better to drink second at the spring then to furnish food for the vultures. The Crow and the Pitcher A CROW, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a Pitcher, which he saw at a distance. But when he came up to it, he found the water so low that with all his stooping and straining he was unable to reach it. Thereupon he tried to break the Pitcher; then to overturn it; but his strength was not sufficient to do either. At last, seeing some small 26

28 pebbles at hand, he dropped a great many of them, one by one, into the Pitcher, and so raided the water to the brim, and quenched his thirst. The Boasting Traveler Moral: Necessity is the mother of invention A MAN who had been traveling in foreign parts, on his return home was always bragging and boasting of the great feats he had accomplished in different places. In Rhodes, for instance, he said he had taken such an extraordinary leap, that no man could come near him, and he had witnesses there to prove it. Possibly, said one of his hearers; but if this be true, just suppose this to be Rhodes, and then try the leap again. Moral: He who does a thing well does not need to boast. The Eagle the Wildcat and the Sow AN Eagle had built her nest upon the top branches of an oak. A wild Cat inhabited a hole in the middle, and in the hollow part, at bottom, was a Sow, with a whole litter of pigs. A happy neighbourhood: and might long have continued so, had it not been for the wicked insinuations of the designing cat. For, first of all, up she crept to the Eagle; and, good neighbor, says she, we shall all be undone; that filthy sow, yonder, does nothing but lie rooting at the foot of the tree; and, as I suspect, intends to grub it up, that she may the more easily come at our young ones. For my part, I will take care of my own concerns; you may do as you please; but I will watch her motions, though I stay at home this month for it. When she had said this, which could not fail of putting the Eagle into a great fright, down she went, and made a visit to the Sow at the bottom; and putting on sorrowful face, I hope, says she, you do not intend to go abroad to-day. Why not, says the Sow; nay, replies the other, you may do as you please; but I overheard the Eagle tell her young ones, that she would treat them with a pig, the first time she saw you go out; and I am 27

29 not sure but she may take up with a kitten in the mean time; so, goodmorrow to you; you will excuse me, I must go and take care of the little folks at home. Away she went accordingly; and by contriving to steal out softly anights for her prey, and to stand watching and peeping all day at her hole, as under great concern, she made such an impression upon the Eagle and the Sow, that neither of them dared venture abroad, for fear of the other. The consequence of which was, that themselves and their young ones, in a little time, were all starved, and made prize of, by the treacherous Cat and her kittens. Moral: Gossips are to be seen and not heard. The Ass and the Grasshopper AN Ass hearing some Grasshoppers chirping, was delighted with the music, and determining, if he could, to rival hem, asked them what it was that they fed upon to make them sing so sweetly? When they told him that they supped upon nothing but dew, the Ass betook himself to the same diet, and soon died of hunger. The Heifer and the Ox Moral: Even a fool is wise, when it is too late. A HEIFER that ran wild in the fields, and had never felt the yoke, unbraided an Ox at plough for submitting to such labour and drudgery. The Ox said nothing, but went on with his work. Not long after, there was a great festival. The Ox got his holiday; but the Heifer was led off to be sacrificed at the altar. If this be the end of your idleness, said the Ox, I think that my work is better than your play. I had rather my neck felt the yoke than the axe. Moral: He laughs best who laughs last. 28

30 The Fox and the Stork A FOX one day invited a Stork to dinner, and being disposed to divert himself at the expense of his guest, provided nothing for the entertainment but some thin soup in a shallow dish. This the Fox lapped up very readily, while the Stork, unable to gain a mouthful with her long narrow bill, was as hungry at the end of dinner as when she began. The Fox meanwhile professed his regret at seeing her eat so sparingly, and feared that the dish was not seasoned to her mind. The Stork said little, but begged that the Fox would do her the honour of returning her visit; accordingly he agreed to dine with her on the following day. He arrived true to his appointment, and the dinner was ordered forthwith; but when it was served up, he found to his dismay that it was contained in a narrow-necked vessel, down which the Stork readily thrust her long neck and bill, while he was obliged to content himself with licking the neck of the jar. Unable to satisfy his hunger, he retired with as good a grace as he could, observing that he could hardly find fault with his entertainer, who had only paid him back his own coin. Moral: Many go out for wool and come home shorn. The Farmer and the Nightingale A FARMER lay listening to a Nightingale s song throughout the summer night. So pleased was he with it that the next night he set a trap and captured it. Now that I have caught you, he cried, you shall always sing to me. Nightingales never sing in a cage, said the bird. Then I ll eat you, said the farmer. I have always heard that a nightingale on toast is dainty morsel. Do not kill me, said the nightingale; But let me free, and I ll tell you three things far better worth than my poor body. The farmer let him loose, and he flew up to a branch on a tree. The bird said, Never believe a captive s promise, keep what you have and sorrow not over what is lost forever. Then the nightingale flew away. Moral: A bird in the cage is worth two on a branch. 29

31 The Ass and the Lapdog A MAN had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master, who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his master s house, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented: I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog! Moral: To be satisfied with one s lot is better than to desire something which one is not fitted to receive. The Cock and the Jewel A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: If your owner had found thee, and not I, he would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world. Moral: The ignorant despise what is precious only because they can not understand it. 30

32 Jupiter and the Bee THE Bee once wished to offer a gift of honey to Jupiter. She collected the freshest honey from her honeycombs and flew with it up to Mount Olympus. The god was so delighted with this gift that he promised to give the Bee anything she asked. All-powerful Jupiter, said the Bee, I beg of thee, grant me a sting so that I may kill whoever approaches my hive to steal my honey. Jupiter was shocked that the Bee would wish to revenge the theft of her honey in this way. But he could not take back his promise. So he said, You shall have your sting. And when you attack anyone who takes your honey, the wound shall be fatal. The Bee was about to thank Jupiter. But he held up his hand and continued, The wound shall be fatal but only to you! Once you use your sting, it shall be torn from you, and you will die from the loss of it. Moral: He who prays hard against his neighbor brings a curse upon himself. The Horse and the Groom THERE was once a Groom who used to brush his Horse with the greatest care and comb his mane for hours on end. Yet at the same time the Groom stole the Horse s corn and sold it in the village for his own profit. One day the Horse said to the Groom, If you really wish me to look my best, groom me less and feed me more. Though you brush my coat you steal my food. The Mischievous Dog Moral: A man may smile but be a villain. A DOG used to run up quietly to the heels of everyone he met, and to bite them without notice. His master suspended a bell about his neck so that the Dog might give notice of his presence wherever he went. 31

33 Thinking it a mark of distinction, the Dog grew proud of his bell and went tinkling it all over the marketplace. One day an old hound said to him: Why do you make such an exhibition of yourself? That bell that you carry is not, believe me, any order of merit, but on the contrary a mark of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you as an ill mannered dog. Moral: Notoriety is often mistaken for fame. The Blind Man and the Whelp A BLIND man was accustomed to distinguishing different animals by touching them with his hands. The whelp of a Wolf was brought him, with a request that he would feel it, and say what it was. He felt it, and being in doubt, said: I do not quite know whether it is the cub of a Fox, or the whelp of a Wolf, but this I know full well. It would not be safe to admit him to the sheepfold. The Cock and the Fox Moral: The child is father to the man. A COCK being perched among the branches of a lofty tree, crowed aloud, so that the shrillness of his voice echoes through the wood, and invited a Fox to the place, who was prowling in that neighbourhood in quest of his prey. But Reynard, finding the Cock was inaccessible, by reason of the height of his situation, had recourse to stratagem, in order to decoy him down; so approaching the tree, Cousin, says he, I am heartily glad to see you; but at the same time, I cannot forbear expressing my uneasiness at the inconvenience of the place, which would not let me pay my respects to you in a handsomer manner; though I suppose you will come down presently, and so that difficulty is easily removed. Indeed, Cousin, says the Cock, to tell you the truth, I do not think it safe to venture myself upon the ground; for though I am convinced how much you are my friend, yet I may have the misfortune to fall into the clutches of some other beast, and what will become of me then? O dear, says Reynard, is it possible that you can be so 32

34 ignorant, as not to know of the peace that has lately been proclaimed between all kinds of birds and beasts, and that we are, for the future, to forbear hostilities on all sides, and to live in the utmost love and harmony, and that under the penalty of suffering the severest punishment that can be inflicted? All this while the Cock seemed to give but little attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck as if he saw something at a distance. Cousin, says the Fox, what is that you look at so earnestly? Why, says the Cock, I think I see a pack of hounds yonder, a little way off. Oh then, says the Fox, your humble servant, I must be gone. Nay, pray, Cousin, do not go, says the Cock; I am just a coming down; sure you are not afraid of dogs in these peaceable times. No, no, says he; but then to one whether they have heard the proclamation yet. Moral: The best liars often get caught in their own lies. The Eagle and the Fox AN Eagle that had young ones, looking out for something to feed them with, happened to spy a Fox s cub, that lay basking itself abroad in the sun. She made a stoop, and trussed it immediately; but before she had carried it quite off, the old Fox coming home, implored her, with tears in her eyes, to spare her cub, and pity the distress of a poor fond mother, who should think no affliction so great as that of losing her child. The Eagle, whose nest was up in a very high tree, thought herself secure enough from all projects of revenge, and so bore away the cub to her young ones, without showing any regard to the supplications of the Fox. But that subtle creature, highly incensed at this outrageous barbarity, ran to an altar, where some country people had been sacrificing a kid in the open fields, and catching up a fire-brand in her mouth, ran towards the tree where the Eagle s nest was, with a resolution of revenge. She had scarce ascended the first branches, when the Eagle, terrified with the approaching ruin of herself and family, begged of the Fox to desist, and, with much submission, returned her cub again safe and sound. Moral: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 33