The Past Master Club

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ÆSOP'S FABLES

The Wolf Turned Shepherd
A wolf, finding that the sheep were so afraid of him that he could not get near them, 
disguised himself in the dress of a shepherd, and thus attired approached the flock. 
As he came near, he found the shepherd fast asleep. As the sheep did not run away, 
he resolved to imitate the voice of the shepherd. In trying to do so, he only howled, 
awoke and the shepherd. As he could not run away, he was soon killed.
Those who attempt to act in disguise are apt to overdo it. 

The Stag at the Pool
A stag saw his shadow reflected in the water, and greatly admired the size of his horns, 
but felt angry with himself for having such weak feet. While he was thus contemplating 
himself, a Lion appeared at the pool. The Stag betook himself to flight, and kept himself 
with ease at a safe distance from the Lion, until he entered a wood and became 
entangled with his horns. The Lion quickly came up with him and caught him. When too 
late he thus reproached himself: "Woe is me! How have I deceived myself! These feet 
which would have saved me I despised, and I gloried in these antlers which have proved 
my destruction."
What is most truly valuable is often underrated. 

The Fox and the Mask
A fox entered the house of an actor, and, rummaging through all his properties, came 
upon a Mask, an admirable imitation of a human head. He placed his paws on it, and 
said: "What a beautiful head! yet it is of no value, as it entirely wants brains."
A fair face is of little use without sense. 

The Bear and the Fox
A bear boasted very much of his philanthropy, saying "that of all animals he was the 
most tender in his regard for man, for he had such respect for him, that he would not 
even touch his dead body." A Fox hearing these words said with a smile to the Bear: 
"Oh, that you would eat the dead and not the living!"
We should not wait till a person is dead, to give him our respect. 

The Wolf and the Lamb
A Wolf, meeting with a Lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay violent hands on 
him, but to find some plea, which should justify to the Lamb himself his right to eat him. 
He then addressed him: "Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me." "Indeed," bleated the 
Lamb in a mournful tone of voice, "I was not then born." Then said the Wolf: "You feed in 
my pasture." "No, good sir," replied the Lamb, "I have not yet tasted grass." Again said 
the Wolf: "You drink of my well." "No," exclaimed the Lamb, "I never yet drank water, for 
as yet my mother's milk is both food and drink to me." On which the Wolf seized him, and 
ate him up, saying: "Well! I won't remain supperless, even though you refute every one of 
my imputations."
The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and it is useless for the 
innocent to try by reasoning to get justice, when the oppressor intends to be 
unjust. 

The One-Eyed Doe
A Doe, blind of an eye, was accustomed to graze as near to the edge of the sea as she 
possibly could, to secure greater safety. She turned her eye towards the land, that she 
might perceive the approach of a hunter or hound, and her injured eye towards the sea, 
from which she entertained no anticipation of danger. Some boatmen, sailing by, saw 
her, and, taking a successful aim, mortally wounded her. Said she: "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."
Danger sometimes comes from a source that is least suspected. 

The Dog, Cock and Fox
A Dog and a Cock, traveling together, took shelter at night in a thick wood. The Cock 
perched himself on a high branch, while the Dog found a bed at the foot of the tree. 
When morning dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed very loudly. A Fox, hearing the sound, 
and wishing to make a breakfast on him, came and stood under the branches, saying how 
earnestly he desired to make the acquaintance of the owner 
of so sweet a voice. "If you will admit me," said he, "I should very much like to spend 
the day with you." The Cock said: "Sir, do me the favor to go round and wake up my 
porter, that he may open the door, and let you in." On the Fox approaching the tree, the 
Dog sprang out and caught him and quickly tore him in pieces.
Those who try to entrap others are often caught by their own schemes. 

The Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk.
A Mouse, by an unlucky chance, formed an intimate acquaintance with a Frog. The Frog 
one day, intent on mischief, bound the foot of the Mouse tightly to his own. Thus joined 
together, the Frog led his friend toward the pool in which he lived, until he reached the 
very brink, when suddenly jumping in, he dragged the Mouse in with him. The Frog 
enjoyed the water amazingly, and swam croaking about as if he had done a meritorious 
action. The unhappy Mouse was soon suffocated with the water, and his dead body 
floated about on the surface, tied to the foot of the Frog. A Hawk observed it, and, 
pouncing upon it, carried it up aloft. The Frog, being still fastened to the leg of the 
Mouse, was also carried off a prisoner, and was eaten by the Hawk.
Harm hatch, harm catch. 

The Dog and the Oyster
A Dog, used to eating eggs, saw an Oyster, and opening his mouth to its widest extent, 
swallowed it down with the utmost relish, supposing it to be an egg. Soon afterwards 
suffering great pain in his stomach, he said: "I deserve all this torment, for my folly in 
thinking that everything round must be an egg."
Who acts in haste repents at leisure. 

The Wolf and the Shepherds
A Wolf passing by, saw some shepherds in a hut eating for their dinner a haunch of 
mutton. Approaching them, he said: "What a clamor you would raise, if I were to do as 
you are doing!"
Men are too apt to condemn in others the very things they practice themselves. 

The Hares and the Frogs
The Hares, oppressed with a sense of their own exceeding timidity, and weary of the 
perpetual alarm to which they were exposed, with one accord determined to put an end 
to themselves and their troubles, by jumping from a lofty precipice into a deep lake 
below. As they scampered off in a very numerous body to carry out their resolve, the 
Frogs lying on the banks of the lake heard the noise of their feet, and rushed helter-
skelter to the deep water for safety. On seeing the rapid disappearance of the Frogs, 
one of the Hares cried out to his companions: "Stay, my friends, do not do as you 
intended; for you now see that other creatures who yet live are more timorous than 
ourselves."
We are encouraged by seeing others that are worse off than ourselves. 

The Lion and the Boar
On a summer day, when the great heat induced a general thirst, a Lion and a Boar came 
at the same moment to a small well to drink. They fiercely disputed which of them should 
drink first, and were soon engaged in the agonies of a mortal combat. On their stopping 
on a sudden to take breath for the fiercer renewal of the strife, they saw some Vultures 
waiting in the distance to feast on the one which should fall first. They at once made 
up their quarrel, saying: "It is better for us to make friends, than to become the food 
of Crows or Vultures, as will certainly happen if we are disabled."
Those who strive are often watched by others who will take advage of their defeat 
to benefit themselves. 

The Mischievous Dog.
A Dog used to run up quietly to the heels of those he met, and to bite them without 
notice. His master sometimes suspended a bell about his neck, that he might give notice 
of his presence wherever he went, and sometimes he fastened a chain about his neck, to 
which was attached a heavy clog, so that he could not be so quick at biting people's 
heels. The Dog grew proud of his bell and clog, and went with them all over the market-
place. An old hound said to him: "Why do you make such an exhibition of yourself? That 
bell and clog that you carry are not, believe me, orders of merit, but, on the contrary, 
marks of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you as an ill-mannered dog."
Those who achieve notoriety often mistake it for fame. 

The Quack Frog
A Frog once made proclamation to all the beasts that he was a learned physician, and 
able to heal all diseases. A Fox asked him: "How can you pretend to prescribe for others, 
and you are unable to heal your own lame gait and wrinkled skin?"
Those who pretend that they can mend others should first mend themselves, and 
then they will be more readily believed. 

The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion.
The Ass and the Fox, having entered into a partnership together, went out into the forest 
to hunt. They had not proceeded far, when they met a Lion. The Fox approached the Lion 
and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass, if he would pledge his word that 
his own life should be spared. On his assuring him that he would not injure him, the Fox 
led the Ass to a deep pit, and contrived that he should fall into it. The Lion, seeing that 
the Ass was secured, immediately clutched the Fox, and then attacked the Ass at his 
leisure.
Traitors must expect treachery. 

The Wolf and the Sheep.
A Wolf, being sick and maimed, called to a Sheep, who was passing, and asked him to 
fetch some water from the stream. "For," he said, "if you will bring me drink, I will find 
means to provide myself with meat." "Yes," said the Sheep, "if I should bring you the 
draught, you would doubtless make me provide the meat also."
Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through. 

The Cock and the Jewel
A Cock, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone; on which he 
said: "If thy 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."

The Two Pots
A river carried down in its stream two Pots, one made of earthenware, and the other of 
brass. As they floated along on the surface of the stream, the Earthen Pot said to the 
Brass Pot: "Pray keep at a distance, and do not come near me, for if you touch me ever 
so slightly, I shall be broken in pieces; and besides, I by no means wish to come near 
you."
Equals make the best friends. 

The Gnat and the Lion
A Gnat came and said to a Lion: "I do not the least fear you, nor are you stronger than 
I am. For in what does your strength consist? You can scratch with your claws, and bite 
with your teeth—so can a woman in her quarrels. I repeat that I am altogether more 
powerful than you; and if you doubt it, let us fight and see who will conquer." The Gnat, 
having sounded his horn, fastened itself upon the Lion, and stung him on the nostrils. 
The Lion, trying to crush him, tore himself with his claws, until he punished himself 
severely. The Gnat thus prevailed over the Lion, and buzzing about in a song of triumph, 
flew away. But shortly afterwards he became entangled in the meshes of a cobweb, and 
was eaten by a spider. He greatly lamented his fate, saying: "Woe is me, that I, who can 
wage war successfully with the hugest beasts, should perish myself from this spider." 
The Widow and her Little Maidens. A widow woman, fond of cleaning, had two little 
maidens to wait on her. She was in the habit of waking them early in the morning, at 
cockcrow. The maidens, being aggrieved by such excessive labor, resolved to kill the cock 
who roused their mistress so early. When they had done this, they found that they had 
only prepared for themselves greater troubles, for their mistress, no longer hearing the 
cock, was unable to tell the time, and so, woke them up to their work in the middle of 
the night.
Unlawful acts to escape trials only increase our troubles. 

The Fox and the Lion
A Fox who had never yet seen a Lion, when he fell in with him by a certain chance for the 
first time in the forest, was so frightened that he was near dying with fear. On his 
meeting with him for the second time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same 
extent as at first. On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness that he went 
up to him, and commenced a familiar conversation with him.
Acquaintance softens prejudices. 

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
A Country Mouse invited a Town Mouse, an intimate friend, to pay him a visit, and 
partake of his country fare. As they were on the bare plough-lands, eating their wheat-
stalks and roots pulled up from the hedge-row, the Town Mouse said to his friend: "You 
live here the life of the ants, while in my house is the horn of plenty. I am surrounded 
with every luxury, and if you will come with me, as I much wish you would, you shall 
have an ample share of my dainties." The Country Mouse was easily persuaded, and 
returned to town with his friend. On his arrival, the Town Mouse placed before him 
bread, barley, beans, dried figs, honey, raisins, and, last of all, brought a dainty piece 
of cheese from a basket. The Country Mouse, being much delighted at the sight of such 
good cheer, expressed his satisfaction in warm terms, and lamented his own hard fate. 
Just as they were beginning to eat, some one opened the door, and they both ran off 
squeaking, as fast as they could, to a hole so narrow that two could only find room in it 
by squeezing. They had scarcely again begun their repast when some one else entered 
to take something out of a cupboard, on which the two Mice, more frightened than 
before, ran away and hid themselves. At last the Country Mouse, almost famished, thus 
addressed his friend: "Although you have prepared for me so dainty a feast, I must leave 
you to enjoy it by yourself. It is surrounded by too many dangers to please me."
Better a little in safety, than an abundance surrounded by danger. 

The Monkey and the Dolphin
A Sailor, bound on a long voyage, took with him a Monkey to amuse him while on ship-
board. As he sailed off the coast of Greece, a violent tempest arose, in which the ship 
was wrecked, and he, his Monkey and all the crew were obliged to swim for their lives. 
A Dolphin saw the Monkey contending with the waves, and supposing him to be a man 
(whom he is always said to befriend), came and placed himself under him, to convey him 
on his back in safety to the shore. When the Dolphin arrived with his burden in sight of 
land not far from Athens, he demanded of the Monkey if he were an Athenian, who 
answered that he was, and that he was descended from one of the noblest families in 
that city. The Dolphin then inquired if he knew the Piræus (the famous harbor of Athens). 
The Monkey, supposing that a man was meant, and being obliged to support his previous 
lie, answered that he knew him very well, and that he was an intimate friend, who would, 
no doubt, be very glad to see him. The Dolphin, indignant at these falsehoods, dipped 
the Monkey under the water, and drowned him. 
He who once begins to tell falsehoods is obliged to tell others to make them 
appear true, and, sooner or later, they will get him into trouble. 

The Game-cocks and the Partridge
A Man had two Game-cocks in his poultry yard. One day, by chance, he fell in with a tame 
Partridge for sale. He purchased it, and brought it home that it might be reared with his 
Game-cocks. On its being put into the poultry-yard, they struck at it, and followed it 
about, so that the Partridge was grievously troubled in mind, and supposed that he was 
thus badly treated because he was a stranger. Not long afterwards he saw the Cocks 
fighting together, and not separating before one had well beaten the other. He then said 
to himself: "I shall no longer distress myself at being struck at by these Gamecocks, when 
I see that they cannot even refrain from quarreling with each other." 
Strangers should avoid those who quarrel among themselves. 

The Boy and the Nettle
A Boy was stung by a Nettle. He ran home and told his mother, saying: "Although it pains 
me so much, I did but touch it ever so gently." "That was just it," said his mother, "which 
caused it to sting you. The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be 
soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you." 
Whatever you do, do with all your might.

The Trumpeter taken Prisoner
A Trumpeter, bravely leading on the soldiers, was captured by the enemy. He cried out to 
his captors: "Pray spare me, and do not take my life without cause or without injury. I 
have not slain a single man of your troop. I have no arms, and carry nothing but this one 
brass trumpet." "That is the very reason for which you should be put to death," they said, 
"for while you do not fight yourself, your loud trumpet stirs up all the other soldiers 
to battle." 
He who incites strife is as guilty as they who strive. 

The Fatal Marriage
The Lion, touched with gratitude by the noble procedure of a Mouse, and resolving not to 
be outdone in generosity by any wild beast whatsoever, desired his little deliverer to 
name his own terms, for that he might depend upon his complying with any proposal he 
should make. The Mouse, fired with ambition at this gracious offer, did not so much con-
sider what was proper for him to ask, as what was in the powers of his prince to grant; 
and so demanded his princely daughter, the young lioness, in marriage. The Lion con-
sented; but, when he would have given the royal virgin into his possession, she, like a 
giddy thing as she was, not minding how she walked, by chance set her paw upon her 
spouse, who was coming to meet her, and crushed him to pieces. 
Beware of unequal matches. Alliances prompted by ambition often prove fatal. 

The Ass and the Charger
An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and carefully provided for, while 
he himself had scarcely enough to eat, nor even that without hard work. But when war 
broke out, the heavy armed soldier mounted the Horse, and rushed into the very midst 
of the enemy, and the Horse, being wounded, fell dead on the battle-field. Then the Ass, 
seeing all these things, changed his mind, and commiserated the Horse, saying: "How 
much more fortunate am I than a charger. I can remain at home in safety while he is 
exposed to all the perils of war." 
Be not hasty to envy the condition of others. 

The Vain Jackdaw
Jupiter determined, it is said, to create a sovereign over the birds, and made proclama-
tion that, on a certain day, they should all present themselves before him, when he 
would himself choose the most beautiful among them to be king. The Jackdaw, knowing 
his own ugliness, searched through the woods and fields, and collected the feathers 
which had fallen from the wings of his companions, and stuck them in all parts of his 
body. When the appointed day arrived, and the birds had assembled before Jupiter, the 
Jackdaw also made his appearance in his many-feathered finery. On Jupiter proposing 
to make him king, on account of the beauty of his plumage, the birds indignantly pro-
tested, and each plucking from him his own feathers, the Jackdaw was again nothing 
but a Jackdaw. 
Hope not to succeed in borrowed plumes. 

The Milkmaid and her Pot of Milk
A Maid was carrying her pail of milk to the farm-house, when she fell a-musing. "The 
money for which this milk will be sold will buy at least three hundred eggs. The eggs, 
allowing for all mishaps, will produce two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will 
become ready for market when poultry will fetch the highest price; so that by the end 
of the year I shall have money enough to buy a new gown. In this dress I will go to the 
Christmas junketings, when all the young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my 
head, and refuse them every one." At this moment she tossed her head in unison with 
her thoughts, when down fell the Milk pot to the ground, and broke into a hundred 
pieces, and all her fine schemes perished in a moment. 
Count not your chickens before they are hatched. 

The Playful Ass
An Ass climbed up to the roof of a building, and, frisking about there, broke in the tiling. 
The owner went up after him, and quickly drove him down, beating him severely with a 
thick wooden cudgel. The Ass said: "Why, I saw the Monkey do this very thing yesterday, 
and you all laughed heartily, as if it afforded you very great amusement." 
Those who do not know their right place must be taught it. 

The Man and the Satyr
A Man and a Satyr once formed a bond of alliance. One very cold wintry day, as they 
talked together, the Man put his fingers to his mouth and blew on them. On the Satyr 
inquiring the reason, he told him that he did it to warm his hands. Later on in the day 
they sat down to eat, the food prepared being quite scalding. The Man raised one of his 
dishes towards his mouth and blew in it. On the Satyr again inquiring the reason, he said 
that he did it to cool the meat. "I can no longer consider you as a friend," said the Satyr; 
"a fellow who with the same breath blows hot and cold I could never trust." 
A man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either. 

The Oak and the Reeds
A very large Oak was uprooted by the wind, and thrown across a stream. It fell among 
some Reeds, which it thus addressed: "I wonder how you, who are so light and weak, 
are not entirely crushed by these strong winds." They replied: "You fight and contend 
with the wind, and consequently you are destroyed; while we, on the contrary, bend 
before the least breath of air, and therefore remain unbroken." 
Stoop to conquer. 

The Huntsman and the Fisherman
A Huntsman, returning with his dogs from the field, fell in by chance with a Fisherman, 
bringing home a basket laden with fish. The Huntsman wished to have the fish, and their 
owner experienced an equal longing for the contents of the game-bag. They quickly 
agreed to exchange the produce of their day's sport. Each was so well pleased with his 
bargain, that they made for some time the same exchange day after day. A neighbor said 
to them: "If you go on in this way, you will soon destroy, by frequent use, the pleasure 
of your exchange, and each will again wish to retain the fruits of his own sport." 
Pleasures are heightened by abstinence. 

The Mother and the Wolf
A famished Wolf was prowling about in the morning in search of food. As he passed the 
door of a cottage built in the forest, he heard a mother say to her child: "Be quiet, or 
I will throw you out of the window, and the Wolf shall eat you." The Wolf sat all day 
waiting at the door. In the evening he heard the same woman fondling her child, and 
saying: "He is quiet now, and if the Wolf should come, we will kill him." The Wolf, 
hearing these words, went home, gaping with cold and hunger. 
Be not in haste to believe what is said in anger or thoughtlessness. 

The Shepherd and the Wolf
A Shepherd once found a young Wolf, and brought it up, and after a while taught it to 
steal lambs from the neighboring flocks. The Wolf, having shown himself an apt pupil, 
said to the Shepherd: "Since you have taught me to steal, you must keep a sharp look-
out, or you will lose some of your own flock." 
The vices we teach may be practiced against us. 

The Dove and the Crow
A Dove shut up in a cage was boasting of the large number of the young ones which she 
had hatched. A Crow, hearing her, said: "My good friend, cease from this unreasonable 
boasting. The larger the number of your family, the greater your cause of sorrow, in 
seeing them shut up in this prison-house." 
To enjoy our blessings we must have freedom. 

The Old Man and the Three Young Men
As an old man was planting a tree, three young men came along and began to make 
sport of him, saying: "It shows your foolishness to be planting a tree at your age. The 
tree cannot bear fruit for many years, while you must very soon die. What is the use of 
your wasting your time in providing pleasure for others to share long after you are 
dead?" The old man stopped in his labor and replied: "Others before me provided for 
my happiness, and it is my duty to provide for those who shall come after me. As for life, 
who is sure of it for a day? You may all die before me." The old man's words came true; 
one of the young men went on a voyage at sea and was drowned, another went to war 
and was shot, and the third fell from a tree and broke his neck. 
We should not think wholly of ourselves, and we should remember that life is 
uncertain. 

The Lion and the Fox
A Fox entered into partnership with a Lion, on the pretense of becoming his servant. 
Each undertook his proper duty in accordance with his own nature and powers. The Fox 
discovered and pointed out the prey, the Lion sprang on it and seized it. The Fox soon 
became jealous of the Lion carrying off the Lion's share, and said that he would no longer 
find out the prey, but would capture it on his own account. The next day he attempted 
to snatch a lamb from the fold, but fell himself a prey to the huntsman and his hounds. 
Keep to your place, if you would succeed. 

The Horse and the Stag
The Horse had the plain entirely to himself. A Stag intruded into his domain and shared 
his pasture. The Horse, desiring to revenge himself on the stranger, requested 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 very effectual 
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. 
He who seeks to injure others often injures only himself. 

The Lion and the Dolphin
A Lion, roaming by the sea-shore, saw a Dolphin lift up its head out of the waves, and 
asked him to contract an alliance with him; 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." 
Let every one stick to his own element. 

The Mice in Council
The Mice summoned a council to decide how they might best devise means for obtain-
ing notice of the approach of their great enemy the Cat. Among the many plans devised, 
the one that found most favor was the proposal to tie a bell to the neck of the Cat, that 
the Mice, being warned by the sound of the tinkling, might run away and hide themselves 
in their holes at his approach. But when the Mice further debated who among them 
should thus "bell the Cat," there was no one found to do it. 
Let those who propose be willing to perform. 

The Camel and the Arab
An Arab Camel-driver having completed the lading of his Camel, asked him which he 
would like best, to go up hill or down hill. The poor beast replied, not without a touch of 
reason: "Why do you ask me? Is it that the level way through the desert is closed?" 

The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle
Two Game Cocks were fiercely fighting for the mastery of the farm-yard. One at last put 
the other to flight. The vanquished Cock skulked away and hid himself in a quiet corner. 
The conqueror, flying up to a high wall, flapped his wings and crowed exultingly with all 
his might. An Eagle sailing through the air pounced upon him, and carried him off in his 
talons. The vanquished Cock immediately came out of his corner, and ruled henceforth 
with undisputed mastery. 
Pride goes before destruction. 

The Boys and the Frogs
Some boys, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the water, and began to pelt 
them with stones. They killed several of them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head out 
of the water, cried out: "Pray stop, my boys; what is sport to you is death to us." 
What we do in sport often makes great trouble for others. 

The Crab and its Mother
A Crab said to her son: "Why do you walk so one-sided, my child? It is far more becoming 
to go straight forward." The young Crab replied: "Quite true, dear mother; and if you 
will show me the straight way, I will promise to walk in it." The mother tried in vain, 
and submitted without remonstrance to the reproof of her child. 
Example is more powerful than precept. 

The Wolf and the Shepherd
A Wolf followed a flock of sheep for a long time, and did not attempt to injure one of 
them. The Shepherd at first stood on his guard against him, as against an enemy, and 
kept a strict watch over his movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the 
company of the sheep, and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the Shepherd 
began to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than as a plotter of evil against 
it; and when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep entirely in his 
charge. The Wolf, now that he had the opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed 
the greater part of the flock. The Shepherd, on his return, finding his flock destroyed, 
exclaimed: "I have been rightly served; why did I trust my sheep to a Wolf?" 
An evil mind will show in evil action, sooner or later. 

The Man and the Lion
A Man and a Lion traveled together through the forest. They soon began to boast of their 
respective superiority to each other in strength and prowess. As they were disputing, 
they passed a statue, carved in stone, which represented "A Lion strangled by a Man." 
The traveler pointed to it and said: "See there! How strong we are, and how we prevail 
over even the king of beasts." The Lion replied: "This statue was made by one of you 
men. If we Lions knew how to erect statues, you would see the man placed under the 
paw of the Lion." 
One story is good till another is told. 

The Ox and the Frog
An Ox, drinking at a pool, trod on a brood of young frogs, and crushed one of them to 
death. The mother, coming up and missing one of her sons, inquired of his brothers what 
had become of him. "He is dead, dear mother; for just now a very huge beast with four 
great feet came to the pool, and crushed him to death with his cloven heel." The Frog, 
puffing herself out, inquired, "If the beast was as big as that in size." "Cease, mother, 
to puff yourself out," said her son, "and do not be angry; for you would, I assure you, 
sooner burst than successfully imitate the hugeness of that monster." 
Impossible things we cannot hope to attain, and it is of no use to try. 

The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat
The Birds waged war with the Beasts, and each party were by turns the conquerors. A 
Bat, fearing the uncertain issues of the fight, always betook himself to that side which 
was the strongest. When peace was proclaimed, his deceitful conduct was apparent to 
both the combatants; he was driven forth from the light of day, and henceforth con-
cealed himself in dark hiding places, flying always alone and at night. 
Those who practice deceit must expect to be shunned. 

The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller
A Charcoal-burner carried on his trade in his own house. One day he met a friend, a 
Fuller, and entreated him to come and live with him, saying that they should be far 
better neighbors, and that their housekeeping expenses would be lessened. The Fuller 
replied: "The arrangement is impossible as far as I am concerned, for whatever I should 
whiten, you would immediately blacken again with your charcoal." 
Like will draw like. 

The Bull and the Goat
A Bull, escaping from a Lion, entered a cave, which some shepherds had lately occupied. A 
He-goat was left in it, who sharply attacked him with his horns. The Bull quietly addressed 
him—"Butt away as much as you will. I have no fear of you, but of the Lion. Let that monster 
once go, and I will soon let you know what is the respective strength of a Goat and a Bull." 
It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress. 

The Lion and the Mouse
A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up in anger, he 
caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you 
would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and 
let him go. It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who 
bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came up and 
gnawed the rope with his teeth, and, setting him free, exclaimed: "You ridiculed the idea 
of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your 
favor; but now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion." 
No one is too weak to do good. 

The Horse and the Ass
A Horse, proud of his fine trappings, met an Ass on the highway. The Ass being heavily laden 
moved slowly out of the way. "Hardly," said the Horse, "can I resist kicking you with my 
heels." The Ass held his peace, and made only a silent appeal to the justice of the gods. 
Not long afterward, the Horse, having become broken-winded, was sent by his owner to the 
farm. The Ass, seeing him drawing a dung-cart, thus derided him. "Where, O boaster, are now 
all thy gay trappings, thou who art thyself reduced to the condition you so lately treated 
with contempt?" The Old Hound. A Hound, who in the days of his youth and strength had never 
yielded to any beast of the forest, encountered in his old age a boar in the chase. He 
seized him boldly by the ear, but could not retain his hold because of the decay of his 
teeth, so that the boar escaped. His master, quickly coming up, was very much disappointed, 
and fiercely abused the dog. The Hound looked up and said: "It was not my fault, master; 
my spirit was as good as ever, but I could not help mine infirmities. I rather deserve to 
be praised for what I have been, than to be blamed for what I am." 
No one should be blamed for his infirmities. 

The Crow and the Pitcher
A Crow, perishing with thirst, saw a pitcher, and, hoping to find water, flew to it with 
great delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little 
water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach 
the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he 
could carry, and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought 
the water within his reach, and thus saved his life. 
Necessity is the mother of invention. 

The Ass Eating Thistles
An Ass was loaded with good provisions of several sorts, which, in time of harvest, he was 
carrying into the field for his master and the reapers to dine upon. By the way he met with 
a fine large Thistle, and, being very hungry, began to mumble it; and while he was doing so 
he entered into this reflection: "How many greedy epicures would think themselves happy, 
amidst such a variety of delicate viands as I now carry! But to me this bitter, prickly 
Thistle is more savory and relishing than the most exquisite and sumptuous banquet. Let 
others choose what they may for food, but give me, above everything, a fine juicy thistle 
like this and I will be content." 
Every one to his taste: one man's meat is another man's poison, and one man's 
poison is another man's meat; what is rejected by one person may be valued 
very highly by another. 

The Wolf and the Lion
A Wolf, having stolen a lamb from a fold, was carrying him off to his lair. A Lion met him 
in the path, and, seizing the lamb, took it from him. The Wolf, standing at a safe distance, 
exclaimed: "You have unrighteously taken from me that which was mine." The Lion jeeringly 
replied: "It was righteously yours, eh? Was it the gift of a friend, or did you get it by 
purchase? If you did not get it in one way or the other, how then did you come by it?" 
One thief is no better than another. 

The King's Son and the Painted Lion
A King who had one only son, fond of martial exercises, had a dream in which he was warned 
that his son would be killed by a lion. Afraid lest the dream should prove true, he built 
for his son a pleasant palace, and adorned its walls for his amusement with all kinds of 
animals of the size of life, among which was the picture of a lion. When the young Prince 
saw this, his grief at being thus confined burst out afresh, and standing near the lion, he 
thus spoke: "O you most detestable of animals! through a lying dream of my father's, which 
he saw in his sleep, I am shut up on your account in this palace as if I had been a girl. 
What shall I now do to you?" With these words he stretched out his hands toward a thorn-tree, 
meaning to cut a stick from its branches that he might beat the lion, when one of its sharp 
prickles pierced his finger, and caused great pain and inflammation, so that the young Prince 
fell down in a fainting fit. A violent fever suddenly set in, from which he died not many 
days after. 
We had better bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them. 

The Trees and the Axe
A Man came into a forest, and made a petition to the Trees to provide him a handle for his 
axe. TheTrees consented to his request, and gave him a young ash-tree. No sooner had the 
man fitted from it a new handle to his axe, than he began to use it, and quickly felled 
with his strokes the noblest giants of the forest. An old oak, lamenting when too late the 
destruction of his companions, said to a neighboring cedar: "The first step has lost us all. 
If we had not given up the rights of the ash, we might yet have retained our own privileges 
and have stood for ages." 
In yielding the rights of others, we may endanger our own. 

The Seaside Travelers
Some travelers, journeying along the sea-shore, climbed to the summit of a tall cliff, and 
from thence looking over the sea, saw in the distance what they thought was a large ship, 
and waited in the hope of seeing it enter the harbor. But as the object on which they looked 
was driven by the wind nearer to the shore, they found that it could at the most be a small 
boat, and not a ship. When, however, it reached the beach, they discovered that it was only 
a large fagot of sticks, and one of them said to his companions: "We have waited for no 
purpose, for after all there is nothing to see but a fagot." 
Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities. 

The Seagull and the Kite
A Seagull, who was more at home swimming on the sea than walking on the land, was in the 
habit of catching live fish for its food. One day, having bolted down too large a fish, it 
burst its deep gullet-bag, and lay down on the shore to die. A Kite, seeing him, and 
thinking him a land bird like itself, exclaimed: "You richly deserve your fate; for a bird 
of the air has no business to seek its food from the sea." 
Every man should be content to mind his own business. 

The Monkey and the Camel
The beasts of the forest gave a splendid entertainment, at which the Monkey stood up and 
danced. Having vastly delighted the assembly, he sat down amidst universal applause. The 
Camel, envious of the praises bestowed on the Monkey, and desirous to divert to himself the 
favor of the guests, proposed to stand up in his turn, and dance for their amusement. He 
moved about in so very ridiculous a manner, that the Beasts, in a fit of indignation, set 
upon him with clubs, and drove him out of the assembly. 
It is absurd to ape our betters. 

The Rat and the Elephant
A Rat, traveling on the highway, met a huge elephant, bearing his royal master 
and his suite, and also his favorite cat and dog, and parrot and monkey. The 
great beast and his attendants were followed by an admiring crowd, taking up 
all of the road. "What fools you are," said the Rat to the people, "to make 
such a hubbub over an elephant. Is it his great bulk that you so much admire? 
It can only frighten little boys and girls, and I can do that as well. I am a 
beast; as well as he, and have as many legs and ears and eyes. He has no right 
to take up all the highway, which belongs as much to me as to him." At this 
moment, the cat spied the rat, and, jumping to the ground, soon convinced him 
that he was not an elephant. 
Because we are like the great in one respect we must not think we are like 
them in all. 

The Fisherman Piping
A Fisherman skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the sea-shore. 
Standing on a projecting rock he played several tunes, in the hope that the fish, 
attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net, which he 
had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, 
and casting his net into the sea, made an excellent haul. 

The Wolf and the House dog
A Wolf, meeting with a big, well-fed Mastiff, having a wooden collar about his 
neck, inquired of him who it was that fed him so well, and yet compelled him to 
drag that heavy log about wherever he went. "The master," he replied. Then, said 
the Wolf: "May no friend of mine ever be in such a plight; for the weight of 
this chain is enough to spoil the appetite." 
Nothing can compensate us for the loss of our liberty. 

The Eagle and the Kite
An Eagle, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the branches of a tree, in company 
with a Kite. "Why," said the Kite, "do I see you with such a rueful look?" "I 
seek," she replied, "for a mate suitable for me, and am not able to find one." 
"Take me," returned the Kite; "I am much stronger than you are." "Why, are you 
able to secure the means of living by your plunder?" "Well, I have often caught 
and carried away an ostrich in my talons." The Eagle, persuaded by these words, 
accepted him as her mate. Shortly after the nuptials, the Eagle said: "Fly off, 
and bring me back the ostrich you promised me." The Kite, soaring aloft into the 
air, brought back the shabbiest possible mouse. "Is this," said the Eagle, "the 
faithful fulfillment of your promise to me?" The Kite replied: "That I might 
attain to your royal hand, there is nothing that I would not have promised, 
however much I knew that I must fail in the performance." 
Promises of a suitor must be taken with caution. 

The Dogs and the Hides
Some Dogs, famished with hunger, saw some cow-hides steeping in a river. Not 
being able to reach them, they agreed to drink up the river; but it fell out 
that they burst themselves with drinking long before they reached the hides. 
Attempt not impossibilities. 

The Fisherman and the Little Fish
A Fisherman who lived on the produce of his nets, one day caught a single small 
fish as the result of his day's labor. The fish, panting convulsively, thus 
entreated for his life: "O Sir, what good can I be to you, and how little am 
I worth! I am not yet come to my full size. Pray spare my life, and put me back 
into the sea. I shall soon become a large fish, fit for the tables of the rich; 
and then you can catch me again, and make a handsome profit of me." The 
fisherman replied: "I should be a very simple fellow, if I were to forego my 
certain gain for an uncertain profit." 

The Ass and his Purchaser
A man wished to purchase an Ass, and agreed with its owner that he should 
try him before he bought him. He took the Ass home, and put him in the straw
yard with his other Asses, upon which he left all the others, and joined 
himself at once to the most idle and the greatest eater of them all. The man 
put a halter on him, and led him back to his owner, saying: "I do not need a 
trial; I know that he will be just such another as the one whom he chose for 
his companion." 
A man is known by the company he keeps. 

The Shepherd and the Sheep
A Shepherd, driving his Sheep to a wood, saw an oak of unusual size, full 
of acorns, and, spreading his cloak under the branches, he climbed up into 
the tree, and shook down the acorns. The sheep, eating the acorns, frayed 
and tore the cloak. The Shepherd coming down, and seeing what was done, 
said: "O you most ungrateful creatures! you provide wool to make garments 
for all other men, but you destroy the clothes of him who feeds you." 
The basest ingratitude is that which injures those who serve us. 

The Fox and the Crow
A Crow, having stolen a bit of flesh, perched in a tree, and held it in her 
beak. A Fox, seeing her, longed to possess himself of the flesh, and by a 
wily stratagem succeeded. "How handsome is the Crow," he exclaimed, "in the 
beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice 
were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen 
of Birds!" This he said deceitfully, having greater admiration for the meat 
than for the crow. But the Crow, all her vanity aroused by the cunning 
flattery, and anxious to refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a 
loud caw, and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, and thus 
addressed the Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit 
is wanting." 
He who listens to flattery is not wise, for it has no good purpose. 

The Swallow and the Crow
The Swallow and the Crow had a contention about their plumage. The Crow put 
an end to the dispute by saying: "Your feathers are all very well in the 
spring, but mine protect me against the winter." 
Fine weather friends are not worth much. 

The Hen and the Golden Eggs
A Cottager and his wife had a Hen, which laid every day a golden egg. They 
supposed that it must contain a great lump of gold in its inside, and killed 
it in order that they might get it, when, to their surprise, they found that 
the Hen differed in no respect from their other hens. 
The foolish pair, thus hoping to become rich all at once, deprived themselves 
of the gain of which they were day by day assured. 

The Old Man and Death
An old man was employed in cutting wood in the forest, and, in carrying the fagots 
into the city for sale. One day, being very wearied with his long journey, he sat 
down by the wayside, and, throwing down his load, besought "Death" to come. "Death" 
immediately appeared, in answer to his summons, and asked for what reason he had 
called him. The old man replied: "That, lifting up the load, you may place it again 
upon my shoulders." 
We do not always like to be taken at our word. 

The Fox and the Leopard
The Fox and the Leopard disputed which was the more beautiful of the two. The Leopard 
exhibited one by one the various spots which decorated his skin. The Fox, interrupting 
him, said: "And how much more beautiful than you am I, who am decorated, not in body, 
but in mind." 
People are not to be judged by their coats. 

The Mountain in Labor
A Mountain was once greatly agitated. Loud groans and noises were heard; and 
crowds of people came from all parts to see what was the matter. While they 
were assembled in anxious expectation of some terrible calamity, out came a 
Mouse. 
Don't make much ado about nothing. 

The Bear and the Two Travelers
Two men were traveling together, when a bear suddenly met them on their path. One 
of them climbed up quickly into a tree, and concealed himself in the branches. The 
other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear 
came up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his breath, 
and feigned the appearance of death as much as he could. The Bear soon left him, 
for it is said he will not touch a dead body. When he was quite gone, the other 
traveler descended from the tree, and, accosting his friend, jocularly inquired 
"what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear?" His friend replied: "He gave me 
this advice: Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger." 
Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. 

The Sick Kite
A Kite, sick unto death, said to his mother: "O Mother! do not mourn, but at once invoke 
the gods that my life may be prolonged." She replied: "Alas! my son, which of the gods do 
you think will pity you? Is there one whom you have not outraged by filching from their 
very altars a part of the sacrifice which had been offered up to them?" 
We must make friends in prosperity, if we would have their help in adversity. 

The Wolf and the Crane
A Wolf, having a bone stuck in his throat, hired a Crane, for a large sum, to put 
her head into his throat and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the 
bone, and demanded the promised payment, the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, 
exclaimed: "Why, you have surely already a sufficient recompense, in having been 
permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a Wolf." 
In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape 
injury for your pains.

The Cat and the Cock
A Cat caught a Cock, and took counsel with himself how he might find a reasonable 
excuse for eating him. He accused him as being a nuisance to men, by crowing in 
the night time, and not permitting them to sleep. The Cock defended himself by 
saying that he did this for the benefit of men, that they might rise betimes, for 
their labors. The Cat replied: "Although you abound in specious apologies, I shall 
not remain supperless;" and he made a meal of him. 
It does no good to deny those who make false accusations knowingly. 

The Wolf and the Horse
A Wolf coming out of a field of oats met with a Horse, and thus addressed him: "I would 
advise you to go into that field. It is full of capital oats, which I have left untouched 
for you, as you are a friend the very sound of whose teeth it will be a pleasure to me to 
hear." The Horse replied: "If oats had been the food for wolves, you would never have 
indulged your ears at the cost of your belly." 
Men of evil reputation, when they perform a good deed, fail to get credit for it. 

The Two Soldiers and the Robber
Two Soldiers, traveling together, were set upon by a Robber. The one fled away; the other 
stood his ground, and defended himself with his stout right hand. The Robber being slain, 
the timid companion runs up and draws his sword, and then, throwing back his traveling 
cloak, says: "I'll at him, and I'll take care he shall learn whom he has attacked." On 
this, he who had fought with the Robber made answer: "I only wish that you had helped me 
just now, even if it had been only with those words, for I should have been the more 
encouraged, believing them to be true; but now put up your sword in its sheath and hold 
your equally useless tongue, till you can deceive others who do not know you. I, indeed, 
who have experienced with what speed you ran away, know right well that no dependence can 
be placed on your valor." 
When a coward is once found out, his pretensions of valor are useless. 

The Monkey and the Cat
A Monkey and a Cat lived in the same family, and it was hard to tell which was the greatest 
thief. One day, as they were roaming about together, they spied some chestnuts roasting in 
the ashes. "Come," said the cunning Monkey, "we shall not go without our dinner to-day. 
Your claws are better than mine for the purpose; you pull them out of the hot ashes and 
you shall have half." Pussy pulled them out one by one, burning her claws very much in 
doing so. When she had stolen them all, she found that the Monkey had eaten every one. 
A thief cannot be trusted, even by another thief. 

The Two Frogs
Two frogs dwelt in the same pool. The pool being dried up under the summer's heat, they left 
it and set out together for another home. As they went along they chanced to pass a deep 
well, amply supplied with water, on seeing which, one of the Frogs said to the other: "Let 
us descend and make our abode in this well." The other replied with greater caution: "But 
suppose the water should fail us, how can we get out again from so great a depth?" 
Do nothing without a regard to the consequences. 

The Vine and the Goat
A Vine was luxuriant in the time of vintage with leaves and grapes. A Goat, passing by, 
nibbled its young tendrils and its leaves. The Vine said: "Why do you thus injure me and 
crop my leaves? Is there no young grass left? But I shall not have to wait long for my just 
revenge; for if you now crop my leaves, and cut me down to my root, I shall provide the 
wine to pour over you when you are led as a victim to the sacrifice." 
Retribution is certain. 

The Mouse and the Boasting Rat
A Mouse lived in a granary which became, after a while, the frequent resort of a 
Cat. The Mouse was in great fear and did not know what to do. In her strait, she 
bethought herself of a Rat who lived not far away, and who had said in her hearing 
a hundred times that he was not afraid of any cat living. She resolved to visit the 
bold Rat and ask him to drive the Cat away. She found the Rat in his hole and 
relating her story, besought his help. "Pooh!" said the Rat, "You should be bold 
as I am; go straight about your affairs, and do not mind the Cat. I will soon 
follow you, and drive him away." He thought, now, he must do something to make good 
his boast. So he collected all the Rats in the neighborhood, resolved to frighten 
the Cat by numbers. But when they all came to the granary, they found that the Cat 
had already caught the foolish Mouse, and a single growl from him sent them all 
scampering to their holes. 
Do not rely upon a boaster. 

The Dogs and the Fox
Some Dogs, finding the skin of a lion, began to tear it in pieces with their teeth. A Fox, 
seeing them, said: "If this lion were alive, you would soon find out that his claws were 
stronger than your teeth." 
It is easy to kick a man that is down. 

The Thief and the House-Dog
A Thief came in the night to break into a house. He brought with him several slices of meat, 
that he might pacify the House-dog, so that he should not alarm his master by barking. As 
the Thief threw him the pieces of meat, the Dog said: "If you think to stop my mouth, to 
relax my vigilance, or even to gain my regard by these gifts, you will be greatly mistaken. 
This sudden kindness at your hands will only make me more watchful, lest under these 
unexpected favors to myself you have some private ends to accomplish for your own benefit, 
and for my master's injury. Besides, this is not the time that I am usually fed, which 
makes me all the more suspicions of your intentions." 
He who offers bribes needs watching, for his intentions are not honest. 

The Sick Stag
A sick Stag lay down in a quiet corner of his pasture-ground. His companions came in great 
numbers to inquire after his health, and each one helped himself to a share of the food 
which had been placed for his use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but from the 
failure of the means of living. 
Evil companions bring more hurt than profit. 

The Fowler and the Ringdove
A Fowler took his gun, and went into the woods a shooting. He spied a Ringdove among the 
branches of an oak, and intended to kill it. He clapped the piece to his shoulder, and 
took his aim accordingly. But, just as he was going to pull the trigger, an adder, which 
he had trod upon under the grass, stung him so painfully in the leg that he was forced 
to quit his design, and threw his gun down in a passion. The poison immediately infected 
his blood, and his whole body began to mortify; which, when he perceived, he could not 
help owning it to be just. "Fate," said he, "has brought destruction upon me while I was 
contriving the death of another." 
Men often fall into the trap which they prepare for others. 

The Kid and the Wolf
A Kid, returning without protection from the pasture, was pursued by a Wolf. He turned 
round, and said to the Wolf: "I know, friend Wolf, that I must be your prey; but before 
I die, I would ask of you one favor, that you will play me a tune, to which I may dance." 
The Wolf complied, and while he was piping, and the Kid was dancing, the hounds, hearing 
the sound, came up and gave chase to the Wolf. The Wolf, turning to the Kid, said: "It 
is just what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have turned piper to 
please you." 
Every one should keep his own colors. 

The Blind Man and the Whelp
A Blind Man was accustomed to distinguish 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, that it would 
not be safe to admit him to the sheepfold." 
Evil tendencies are shown early in life. 

The Geese and the Cranes
The Geese and the Cranes fed in the same meadow. A bird-catcher came to ensnare 
them in his nets. The Cranes, being light of wing, fled away at his approach; 
while the Geese, being slower of flight and heavier in their bodies, were 
captured. 
Those who are caught are not always the most guilty. 

The North Wind and the Sun
The North Wind and the Sun disputed which was the more powerful, and agreed that 
he should be declared the victor who could first strip a wayfaring man of his 
clothes. The North Wind first tried his power, and blew with all his might; but 
the keener became his blasts, the closer the Traveler wrapped his cloak around 
him, till at last, resigning all hope of victory, he called upon the Sun to see 
what he could do. The Sun suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The Traveler no 
sooner felt his genial rays than he took off one garment after another, and at 
last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed, and bathed in a stream that lay in 
his path. 
Persuasion is better than Force. 

The Laborer and the Snake
A Snake, having made his hole close to the porch of a cottage, inflicted a severe 
bite on the Cottager's infant son, of which he died, to the great grief of his 
parents. The father resolved to kill the Snake, and the next day, on its coming out 
of its hole for food, took up his axe; but, making too much haste to hit him as he 
wriggled away, missed his head, and cut off only the end of his tail. After some 
time, the Cottager, afraid lest the Snake should bite him also, endeavored to make 
peace, and placed some bread and salt in his hole. The Snake said: "There can 
henceforth be no peace between us; for whenever I see you I shall remember the loss 
of my tail, and whenever you see me you will be thinking of the death of your son." 
It is hard to forget injuries in the presence of him who caused the injury. 

The Bull and the Calf
A Bull was striving with all his might to squeeze himself through a narrow passage which 
led to his stall. A young Calf came up and offered to go before and show him the way by 
which he could manage to pass. "Save yourself the trouble," said the Bull; "I knew that 
way long before you were born." 
Do not presume to teach your elders. 

The Goat and the Ass
A Man once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat, envying the Ass on account of his greater 
abundance of food, said: "How shamefully you are treated; at one time grinding in the 
mill, and at another carrying heavy burdens;" and he further advised him that he should 
pretend to be epileptic, and fall into a deep ditch and so obtain rest. The Ass gave 
credence to his words, and, falling into a ditch, was very much bruised. His master, 
sending for a leech, asked his advice. He bade him pour upon the wounds the blood of a 
Goat. They at once killed the Goat, and so healed the Ass. 
In injuring others we are apt to receive a greater injury. 

The Boasting Traveler
A Man who had traveled in foreign lands boasted very much, on returning to his own 
country, of the many wonderful and heroic things he had done in the different 
places he had visited. Among other things, he said that when he was at Rhodes he 
had leaped to such a distance that no man of his day could leap anywhere near him
and as to that there were in Rhodes many persons who saw him do it, and whom he 
could call as witnesses. One of the bystanders, interrupting him, said: "Now, my 
good man, if this be all true, there is no need of witnesses. Suppose this to be 
Rhodes and now for your leap." 
Cure a boaster by putting his words to the test. 

The Ass, the Cock, and the Lion
An Ass and a Cock were together, when a Lion, desperate from hunger, approached. 
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. 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. 
False confidence often leads into danger. 

The Stag and the Fawn
A Stag, grown old and mischievous, was, according to custom, stamping with his foot, making 
offers with his head, and bellowing so terribly that the whole herd quaked for fear of him; 
when one of the little Fawns, coming up, addressed him thus: "Pray, what is the reason that 
you, who are so formidable at all other times, if you do but hear the cry of the hounds, are 
ready to fly out of your skin for fear?" "What you observe is true," replied the Stag, 
"though I know not how to account for it. I am indeed vigorous and able, and often resolve 
that nothing shall ever dismay my courage; but, alas! I no sooner hear the voice of a hound 
but my spirits fail me, and I cannot help making off as fast as my legs can carry me."
The greatest braggarts are the greatest cowards. 

The Partridge and the Fowler
A Fowler caught a Partridge, and was about to kill him. The Partridge earnestly besought 
him to spare his life, saying: "Pray, master, permit me to live, and I will entice many 
Partridges to you in recompense for your mercy to me." The Fowler replied: "I shall now 
with the less scruple take your life, because you are willing to save it at the cost of 
betraying your friends and relations;" and without more ado he twisted his neck and put 
him in his bag with his other game. 
Those who would sacrifice their friends to save themselves from harm are not 
entitled to mercy. 

The Farmer and the Stork
A Farmer placed his nets on his newly sown plough lands, and caught a quantity of Cranes, 
which came to pick up his seed. With them he trapped a Stork also. The Stork, having his 
leg fractured by the net, earnestly besought the Farmer to spare his life. "Pray, save me, 
Master," he said, "and let me go free this once. My broken limb should excite your pity. 
Besides, I am no Crane, I am a Stork, a bird of excellent character; and see how I love 
and slave for my father and mother. Look too at my feathers, they are not the least like 
to those of a Crane." The Farmer laughed aloud, and said: "It may be all as you say; I 
only know this, I have taken you with these robbers, the Cranes, and you must die in their 
company." 
Birds of a feather flock together. 

The Ass and his Driver
An Ass, being driven along the high road, suddenly started off, and bolted to the brink 
of a deep precipice. When he was in the act of throwing himself over, his owner, seizing 
him by the tail, endeavored to pull him back. The Ass persisting in his effort, the man 
let him go, and said: "Conquer; but conquer to your cost." 
The perverse generally come to harm. 

The Hare and the Hound
A Hound having started a Hare from his form, 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." 
Incentive spurs effort. 

The Kites and the Swans
The Kites of old time had, equally with the Swans, the privilege of song. But having 
heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried 
to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. 
The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings. 

The Dog in the Manger
A Dog lay in a manger, and by his growling and snapping prevented the oxen from eating 
the hay which had been placed for them. "What a selfish Dog!" said one of them to his 
companions; "he cannot eat the hay himself, and yet refuses to allow those to eat who 
can." 
We should not deprive others of blessings because we cannot enjoy them 
ourselves. 

The Crow and the Serpent
A Crow, in great want of food, saw a Serpent asleep in a sunny nook, and flying down, 
greedily seized him. The Serpent, turning about, bit the Crow with a mortal wound. The 
Crow in the agony of death exclaimed: "O unhappy me! who have found in that which I 
deemed a most happy windfall the source of my certain destruction." 
What seem to be blessings are not always so. 

The Cat and the Fox
As the Cat and the Fox were talking politics together, Reynard said: "Let things turn 
out ever so bad, he did not care, for he had a thousand tricks for them yet, before 
they should hurt him." "But pray," says he, "Mrs. Puss, suppose there should be an 
invasion, what course do you design to take?" "Nay," says the Cat, "I have but one 
shift for it, and if that won't do, I am undone." "I am sorry for you," replies Reynard, 
"with all my heart, and would gladly help you, but indeed, neighbor, as times go, it is 
not good to trust; we must even be every one for himself, as the saying is." These words 
were scarcely out of his mouth, when they were alarmed with a pack of hounds, that came 
upon them in full cry. The Cat, by the help of her single shift, ran up a tree, and sat 
securely among the top branches; from whence she beheld Reynard, who had not been able 
to get out of sight, overtaken with his thousand tricks, and torn in as many pieces by 
the dogs which had surrounded him. 
A little common sense is often of more value than much cunning. 

The Eagle and the Arrow
An Eagle sat on a lofty rock, watching the movements of a Hare, whom he sought to make 
his prey. An archer, who saw him from a place of concealment, took an accurate aim, 
and wounded him mortally. The Eagle gave one look at the arrow that had entered his 
heart, and saw in that single glance that its feathers had been furnished by himself. 
"It is a double grief to me," he exclaimed, "that I should perish by an arrow feathered 
from my own wings." 
The misfortunes arising from a man's own misconduct are the hardest to bear. 

The Dog Invited to Supper
A Gentleman, having prepared a great feast, invited a Friend to supper; and the Gentleman's 
Dog, meeting the Friend's Dog, "Come," said he, "my good fellow, and sup with us to-night." 
The Dog was delighted with the invitation, and as he stood by and saw the preparations for 
the feast, said to himself: "Capital fare indeed! this is, in truth, good luck. I shall 
revel in dainties, and I will take good care to lay in an ample stock to-night, for I may 
have nothing to eat to-morrow." As he said this to himself, he wagged his tail, and gave 
a sly look at his friend who had incited him. But his tail wagging to and fro caught the 
cook's eye, who, seeing a stranger, straightway seized him by the legs, and threw him out 
the window to the street below. When he reached the ground, he set off yelping down the 
street; upon which the neighbors' dogs ran up to him and asked him how he liked his supper. 
"In faith," said he, with a sorry smile, "I hardly know, for we drank so deeply, that I 
can't even tell you which way I got out." 
Those who enter by the back stairs must not complain if they are thrown out 
by the window. 

The Frogs Asking for a King
The Frogs, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating 
for a King. He, perceiving their simplicity, cast down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs, 
terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall, hid themselves in the depth of the pool. 
But no sooner did they see that the huge log continued motionless, than they swam again 
to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, and came so to despise it as to climb up, 
and to squat upon it. After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the 
appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he 
would set over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern them. When the 
Frogs discovered his easy good-nature, they yet a third time sent to Jupiter to beg that 
he would once more choose for them another King. Jupiter, displeased at their complaints, 
sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day, till there were none left to complain. 
When you seek to change your condition, be sure that you can better it. 

The Prophet
A Wizard, sitting in the market-place, told the fortunes of the passers-by. A person ran 
up in great haste, and announced to him that the doors of his house had been broken open, 
and that all his goods were being stolen. He sighed heavily, and hastened away as fast as 
he could run. A neighbor saw him running, and said: "Oh! you follow those? you say you can 
foretell the fortunes of others; how is it you did not foresee your own?" 

The Dog and his Master's Dinner
A Dog had been taught to take his master's dinner to him every day. As he smelled the good 
things in the basket, he was sorely tempted to taste them, but he resisted the temptation 
and continued day after day to carry the basket faithfully. One day all the dogs in the 
neighborhood followed him with longing eyes and greedy jaws, and tried to steal the dinner 
from the basket. At first the faithful dog tried to run away from them, but they pressed 
him so close that at last he stopped to argue with them. This was what the thieves desired, 
and they soon ridiculed him to that extent that he said: "Very well, I will divide with 
you," and he seized the best piece of chicken in the basket, and left the rest for the 
others to enjoy. 
He who stops to parley with temptation, will be very likely to yield. 

The Buffoon and the Countryman
A rich nobleman once opened the theater to the public without charge, and gave 
notice that he would handsomely reward any one who would produce a new amusement. 
A Buffoon, well known for his jokes, said that he had a kind of entertainment that 
had never been produced in a theater. This report, being spread about, created a 
great stir in the place, and the theater was crowded to see the new entertainment. 
The Buffoon appeared, and imitated the squeaking of a little pig so admirably with 
his voice, that the audience declared that he had a porker under his cloak, and 
demanded that it should be shaken out. When that was done, and yet nothing was 
found, they cheered the actor, with the loudest applause. A countryman in the 
crowd proclaimed that he would do the same thing on the next day. On the morrow a 
still larger crowd assembled in the theater. Both of the performers appeared on 
the stage. The Buffoon grunted and squeaked, and obtained, as on the preceding 
day, the applause and cheers of the spectators. Next the Countryman commenced, 
and pretending that he concealed a little pig beneath his clothes (which in truth 
he did), contrived to lay hold of and to pull his ear, when he began to squeak. 
The crowd, however, cried out that the Buffoon had given a far more exact 
imitation. On this the Rustic produced the pig, and showed them the greatness of 
their mistake. 
Critics are not always to be depended upon. 

The Boar and the Ass
A little scoundrel of an Ass, happening to meet with a Boar, had a mind to be arch 
upon him, and so, says he: "Your humble servant." The Boar, somewhat nettled at his 
familiarity, bristled up to him, and told him he was surprised to hear him utter so 
impudent an untruth, and was just going to show his resentment by giving him a rip 
in the flank; but wisely stifling his passion, he contented himself with saying: 
"Go, you sorry beast! I do not care to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a 
creature." 
Dignity cannot afford to quarrel with its inferiors. 

The Fox and the Goat
A Fox, having fallen into a well, could find no means of escape. A Goat, overcome 
with thirst, came to the well, and, seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was 
good. The Fox, concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, indulged in lavish 
praise of the water, saying it was beyond measure excellent, and encouraged him 
to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, when, 
just as he quenched his thirst, 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 fore-feet upon the wall, and bend your head, I will run up your back 
and escape, and will help you out." On the Goat readily assenting to this 
proposal, the Fox leaped upon his back, and steadying himself with the goat's 
horns reached in safety the mouth of the well, and immediately made off as fast 
as he could. The Goat upbraided him with the breach of his bargain, when he turned 
round and cried out: "You foolish 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 
determined upon no means of escape." 
Look before you leap. 

The Oxen and the Butchers
The Oxen, once on a time, sought to destroy the Butchers, who practiced a trade 
destructive to their race. They assembled on a certain day to carry out their purpose, 
and sharpened their horns for the contest. One of them, an exceedingly old one (for 
many a field had he ploughed), thus spoke: "These Butchers, it is true, slaughter us, 
but they do so with skillful hands, and with no unnecessary pain. If we get rid of 
them, we shall fall into the hands of unskillful operators, and thus suffer a double 
death; for you may be assured that, though all the Butchers should perish, yet will 
men never want beef." 
Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another. 

The Horse and his Rider
A Horse-soldier took great pains with his charger. As long as the war lasted, 
he looked upon him as his fellow-helper in all emergencies, and fed him 
carefully with hay and corn. When the war was over, he only allowed him chaff 
to eat, and made him carry heavy loads of wood, and subjected him to much 
slavish drudgery and ill-treatment. War, however, being again proclaimed, the 
Soldier put on his charger its military trappings, and mounted, being clad in 
his heavy coat of mail. The Horse fell down straightway under the weight, no 
longer equal to the burden, and said to his master: "You must now e'en go to 
the war on foot, for you have transformed me from a Horse into an Ass." 
He who slights his friends when they are not needed must not expect 
them to serve him when he needs them. 

The Dog and the Hare
A Hound, having started a Hare on the hill-side, pursued her for some 
distance, at one time biting her with his teeth as if he would take her life, 
and at another time fawning upon her, as if in play with another dog. The 
Hare said to him: "I wish you would act sincerely by me, and show yourself in 
your true colors. If you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an 
enemy, why do you fawn on me?" 
They are no friends whom you know not whether to trust or to distrust. 

The Fawn and his Mother
A young Fawn once said to his mother: "You are larger than a dog, and swifter, and 
more used to running; why, then, O Mother! are you always in such a terrible fright 
of the hounds?" She smiled, and said: "I know full well, my son, that all you say 
is true. I have the advantages you mention, but yet when I hear the bark of a single 
dog I feel ready to faint." 
No arguments will give courage to the coward. 

The Lark and her Young Ones
A Lark had made her nest in the young green wheat. The brood had almost grown, when 
the owner of the field, overlooking his crop, said: "I must send to all my neighbors 
to help me with my harvest." One of the young Larks heard him, and asked his mother 
to what place they should move for safety. "There is no occasion to move yet, my son," 
she replied. The owner of the field came a few days later, and said: "I will come 
myself to-morrow, and will get in the harvest." Then the Lark said to her brood: "It 
is time now to be off—he no longer trusts to his friends, but will reap the field 
himself." 
Self-help is the best help. 

The Bowman and the Lion
A very skillful Bowman went to the mountains in search of game. All the beasts of the 
forest fled at his approach. The Lion alone challenged him to combat. The Bowman 
immediately let fly an arrow; and said to the Lion: "I send thee my messenger, that 
from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail thee." The Lion, thus 
wounded, rushed, away in great fear, and on a Fox exhorting him to be of good courage, 
and not to run away at the first attack, he replied: "You counsel me in vain, for if 
he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide the attack of the man himself?" 
A man who can strike from a distance is no pleasant neighbor. 

The Boy and the Filberts
A Boy put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped as many as he could 
possibly hold, but when he endeavored to pull out his hand, he was prevented from 
doing so by the neck of the pitcher, which was much smaller than his closed hand. 
Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into 
tears, and bitterly lamented his disappointment. A bystander said to him: "Be 
satisfied with half the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand." 
Do not attempt too much at once. 

The Woman and her Hen
A Woman possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She often thought with 
herself how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain 
her purpose, determined to give the Hen a double allowance of barley. From that 
day the Hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg. 
Covetousness overreacheth itself. 

The Lamb and the Wolf
A Wolf pursued a Lamb, which fled for refuge to a certain temple. The Wolf called 
out to him and said: "The priest will slay you in sacrifice, if he should catch 
you;" on which the Lamb replied: "It would be better for me to be sacrificed in 
the temple, than to be eaten by you." 
It is safer to be among friends than enemies. 

The Bear and the Gardener
A Gardener, who lived alone, became discontented, and set out, one day, to seek a 
friend who would be a suitable companion. He had not gone far when he met a Bear, 
whom he invited to come and live with him. The Bear was a very silly one, who was 
also discontented with living alone, so he went home with the Gardener very 
willingly. The Gardener provided all the food, and the only service he required 
of the Bear was to keep the flies off his face while he slept in the shade. One day, 
a fly insisted upon lighting on the Gardener's face, although he was brushed off 
again and again. The silly Bear finally became so enraged that he threw a heavy 
stone upon it. He killed the fly, but, alas! he also killed his friend. 
Better have no friend at all than a foolish one. 

The Heifer and the Ox
A Heifer saw an Ox hard at work harnessed to a plough, and tormented him with 
reflections on his unhappy fate in being compelled to labor. Shortly afterward, 
at the harvest home, the owner released the Ox from his yoke, but bound the 
Heifer with cords, and led her away to the altar to be slain in honor of the 
festival. The Ox saw what was being done, and said to the Heifer: "For this you 
were allowed to live in idleness, because you were presently to be sacrificed." 
The lives of the idle can best be spared. 

The Eagle and the Fox
An Eagle and a Fox formed an intimate friendship, and decided to live near each other. 
The Eagle built her nest in a tall tree, while the Fox crept into the underwood and 
there produced her young. Not long after, when the Fox was ranging for food, the Eagle, 
being in want of provision for her young ones, swooped down and seized upon one of the 
little cubs, and feasted herself and brood. The Fox on her return, discovering what 
had happened, was less grieved for the death of her young than for her inability to 
avenge them. A just retribution, however, quickly fell upon the Eagle. While hovering 
near an altar, on which some villagers were sacrificing a goat, she suddenly seized a 
piece of flesh, and carried with it to her nest a burning cinder. A strong breeze soon 
fanned the spark into a flame, and the eaglets, as yet unfledged and helpless, were 
roasted in their nest and dropped down dead at the bottom of the tree. The Fox gobbled 
them up in the sight of the Eagle. 
The tyrant is never safe from those whom he oppresses. 

The Hawk and the Nightingale
A Nightingale, sitting aloft upon an oak, was seen by a Hawk, who made a swoop down, 
and seized him. The Nightingale earnestly besought the Hawk to let him go, saying that 
he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk, who ought to pursue the larger 
birds. The Hawk said: "I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let go food 
ready to my hand, for the sake of pursuing birds which are not yet even within sight." 
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

The Hen and the Swallow
A Hen finding the eggs of a viper, and carefully keeping them warm, nourished them 
into life. A Swallow observing what she had done, said: "You silly creature! Why 
have you hatched these vipers, which, when they shall have grown, will surely 
inflict injury on all of us, beginning with yourself?" 
If we nourish evil, it will sooner or later turn upon us. 

The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
A Herdsman, tending kine in a forest, lost a Bull-calf from the fold. After a long 
and fruitless search, he made a vow that, if he could only discover the thief who 
had stolen the Calf he would offer a lamb in sacrifice to the Guardian Deities of 
the forest. Not long afterwards, as he ascended a small hillock, he saw at its foot 
a Lion feeding on the Calf. Terrified at the sight, he lifted his eyes and his hands 
to heaven, and said: "Just now I vowed to offer a lamb to the Guardian Deities of 
the forest if I could only find out who had robbed me; but now that I have discovered 
the thief, I would willingly add a full-grown Bull to the Calf I have lost, and give 
them both to the guardians of the forest, if I may only secure my own escape from 
this terrible Lion in safety." 
That which we are anxious to find, we are sometimes even more anxious to 
escape from, when we have succeeded in finding it. 

The Shepherd's Boy and Wolf
A Shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers 
three or four times by crying out, "Wolf! Wolf!" and when his neighbors came to help 
him, laughed at them for their pains. The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The 
Shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: "Pray, do come and 
help me; the Wolf is killing the sheep;" but no one paid any heed to his cries. 
There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth. 

The Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons
The Pigeons, terrified by the appearance of a Kite, called upon the Hawk to defend 
them. He at once consented. When they had admitted him into the cote, they found 
that he made more havoc and slew a larger number of them in a single day, than the 
Kite could possibly pounce upon in a whole year. 
Avoid a remedy that is worse than the disease. 

The Farmer and the Cranes
Some Cranes made their feeding grounds on some plough-lands newly sown with wheat. 
For a long time the Farmer, brandishing an empty sling, chased them away by the 
terror he inspired; but when the birds found that the sling was only swung in the 
air, they ceased to take any notice of it, and would not move. The farmer, on seeing 
this, charged his sling with stones, and killed a great number. They at once forsook 
his plough-lands, and cried to each other: "It is time for us to be off, for this man 
is no longer content to scare us, but begins to show us in earnest what he can do." 
If words suffice not, blows must follow.

The Cat and the Mice
A certain house was overrun with Mice. A Cat, discovering this, made her way into 
it, and began to catch and eat them one by one. The Mice, being continually devoured, 
kept themselves close in their holes. The Cat, no longer able to get at them, perceived 
that she must tempt them forth by some device. For this purpose she jumped upon a peg, 
and, suspending herself from it, pretended to be dead. When the Mice came near she 
pounced among them and killed a great number. Pleased with the success of the trick, 
she tried another. She whitened herself with flour, and lay still on the heap of bags, 
as though she was one of them. The young Mice crept dangerously near her, but an old 
one peeping stealthily out said: "Ah, my good madam, though you should turn into a real 
flour-bag, I will not come too near you." 
Avoid even appearances of danger. 

The Father and his Sons
A Father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When 
he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he one day told them to bring 
him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the bundle into the hands 
of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They each tried 
with all their strength, and were not able to do it. He next unclosed the faggot, and 
took the sticks, separately, one by one, and again put them into their hands, on which 
they broke them easily. He then addressed them in these words: "My sons, if you are of 
one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all 
attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken 
as easily as these sticks." 
Disunited families are easily injured by others. 

The Owl and the Grasshopper
An Owl who was sitting in a hollow tree, dozing away a summer's afternoon, was very 
much disturbed by a rogue of a Grasshopper singing in the grass beneath. So far from 
keeping quiet, or moving away at the request of the Owl, the Grasshopper sang all the 
more, and called her an old blinker, that only came out at night when all honest people 
had gone to bed. The Owl waited in silence for a time, and then artfully addressed the 
Grasshopper as follows: "Well, my dear, if one cannot be allowed to sleep, it is 
something to be kept awake by such a pleasant voice. And now I think of it, I have a
 bottle of delicious nectar. If you will come up, you shall have a drop." The silly 
Grasshopper, came hopping up to the Owl, who at once caught and killed him, and 
finished her nap in comfort. 
Flattery is not a proof of admiration. 

The Fox and the Grapes
A famished Fox saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging from a trellised vine. 
She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied herself in vain, for she 
could not reach them. At last she turned away, beguiling herself of her disappointment, 
and saying: "The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought." 
Revile not things beyond your reach. 

The Ass carrying the Image
An Ass once carried through the streets of the city a famous wooden Image, to be 
placed in one of its temples. The crowd as he passed along made lowly prostration 
before the Image. The Ass, thinking that they bowed their heads in token of respect 
for him, bristled up with pride and gave himself airs, and refused to move another 
step. The driver, seeing him thus stop, laid his whip lustily about his shoulders 
and said: "O you perverse dull-head! it is not yet come to this, that men pay 
worship to an Ass." 
They are not wise who take to themselves the credit due to others. 

The Ass and the Lap-Dog
A man had an Ass and a Maltese Lap-dog, 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 
Lap-dog was a great favorite with his master, and he frisked and jumped about him 
in a manner pleasant to see. The Ass 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 Lap-dog, till 
at last one day he broke his 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 Lap-dog 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, 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 try to live by idleness?" 

The Tortoise and the Eagle
A Tortoise, lazily basking in the sun, complained to the sea-birds of her hard fate, 
that no one would teach her to fly. An Eagle, hovering near, heard her lamentation, 
and demanded what reward she would give him, if he would take her aloft, and float 
her in the air. "I will give you," she said, "all the riches of the Red Sea." "I 
will teach you to fly then," said the Eagle; and taking her up in his talons, he 
carried her almost to the clouds,—when suddenly letting her go, she fell on a lofty 
mountain, and dashed her shell to pieces. The Tortoise exclaimed in the moment of 
death: "I have deserved my present fate; for what had I to do with wings and clouds, 
who can with difficulty move about on the earth?" 
If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined. 

The Porcupine and the Snakes
A Porcupine, wanting to shelter himself, desired a nest of Snakes to give him 
admittance into their cave. They were prevailed upon, and let him in accordingly; 
but were so annoyed with his sharp prickly quills that they soon repented of their 
easy compliance, and entreated the Porcupine to withdraw, and leave them their 
hole to themselves. "No," says he, "let them quit the place that don't like it; 
for my part, I am well enough satisfied as I am." 
Hospitality is a virtue, but should be wisely exercised; we may by 
thoughtlessness entertain foes instead of friends. 

The Fox who had Lost his Tail
A Fox, caught in a trap, escaped with the loss of his "brush." Henceforth, feeling 
his life a burden from the shame and ridicule to which he was exposed, he schemed 
to bring all the other Foxes into a like condition with himself. He publicly advised 
them to cut off their tails, saying "that they would not only look much better 
without them, but that they would get rid of the weight of the brush." One of them 
said: "If you had not yourself lost your tail, my friend, you would not thus counsel 
us." 
Advice prompted by selfishness should not be heeded. 

The Old Lion
A Lion, worn out with years, lay on the ground at the point of death. A Boar rushed 
upon him, and avenged with a stroke of his tusks a long remembered injury. Shortly 
afterwards the Bull with his horns gored him as if he were an enemy. When the Ass 
saw that the huge beast could be assailed with impunity, he let drive at his forehead 
with his heels. 

The Ass and the Wolf
An Ass, feeding in a meadow, saw a Wolf approaching to seize him, and immediately 
pretended to be lame. The Wolf, coming up, inquired the cause of his lameness. The 
Ass said that he had a thorn in his foot, and requested the Wolf to pull it out. 
The Wolf consenting, the Ass with his heels kicked his teeth into his mouth, and 
galloped away. The Wolf said: "I am rightly served, for why did I attempt the art 
of healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?" 
Every one to his trade. 

The Horse and the Groom
A Groom used to spend whole days in currycombing and rubbing down his Horse, but 
at the same time stole his oats, and sold them for his own profit. "Alas!" said 
the Horse, "if you really wish me to be in good condition, you should groom me 
less, and feed me more." 
If you wish to do a service, do it right. 

The Ass and his Shadow
A traveler hired an Ass to convey him to a distant place. The day being intensely 
hot, and the sun shining in its strength, the traveler stopped to rest, and sought 
shelter from the heat under the Shadow of the Ass. As this afforded only protection 
for one, and as the traveler and the owner of the Ass both claimed it, a violent 
dispute arose between them as to which of them had the right to it. The owner 
maintained that he had let the Ass only, and not his Shadow. The traveler asserted 
that he had, with the hire of the Ass, hired his Shadow also. The quarrel proceeded 
from words to blows, and while the men fought the Ass galloped off. 
In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance. 

The Horse and the Loaded Ass
An idle Horse, and an Ass laboring under a heavy burden, were traveling the road 
together. The Ass, ready to faint under his heavy load, entreated the Horse to 
assist him, and lighten his burden, by taking some of it upon his back. The Horse 
was ill-natured and refused to do it; upon which the poor Ass tumbled down in the 
midst of the highway, and expired. The countryman then took the whole burden, and 
laid it upon the Horse, together with the skin of the dead Ass. 
Laziness often prepares a burden for its own back. 

The Mules and the Robbers
Two Mules laden with packs were trudging along. One carried panniers filled with 
money, the other sacks of grain. The Mule carrying the treasure walked with head 
erect, and tossed up and down the bells fastened to his neck. His companion 
followed with quiet and easy step. All on a sudden Robbers rushed from their 
hiding-places upon them, and in the scuffle with their owners wounded the Mule 
carrying the treasure, which they greedily seized upon, while they took no notice 
of the grain. The Mule which had been wounded bewailed his misfortunes. The other 
replied: "I am glad that I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor 
am I hurt with any wound." 
The conspicuous run the greatest risk. 

The Lion and the Three Bulls
Three Bulls for a long time pastured together. A Lion lay in ambush in the hope of 
making them his prey, but was afraid to attack them whilst they kept together. 
Having at last by guileful speeches succeeded in separating them, he attacked them 
without fear, as they fed alone, and feasted on them one by one at his own leisure. 
In union is strength. 

The Dog and the Shadow
A Dog, crossing a bridge over a stream with a piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his 
own shadow in the water, and took it for another Dog, with a piece of meat double 
his own in size. He therefore let go his own, and fiercely attacked the other Dog, 
to get his larger piece from him. He thus lost both—that which he grasped at in the 
water, because it was a shadow and his own, because the stream swept it away. 
It is not wise to be too greedy. 

The Ants and the Grasshopper
The Ants were employing a fine winter's day in drying grain collected in the summer 
time. A Grasshopper, perishing with famine, passed by and earnestly begged for a 
little food. The Ants inquired of him: "Why did you not treasure up food during 
the summer?" He replied: "I had not leisure; I passed the days in singing." They 
then said: "If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance 
supperless to bed in the winter." 
Idleness brings want. 

The Thirsty Pigeon
A Pigeon, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a sign-board. 
Not supposing it to be only a picture, she flew toward it with a loud whirr, and 
unwittingly dashed against the signboard and jarred herself terribly. Having broken 
her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, and was caught by one of the bystanders. 
Zeal should not outrun discretion.

The Flies and the Honey
A Jar of Honey having been upset in a housekeeper's room, a number of flies were 
attracted by its sweetness, and placing their feet in it, ate it greedily. Their 
feet, however, became so smeared with the honey that they could not use their 
wings, nor release themselves, and were suffocated. Just as they were expiring, 
they exclaimed, "O foolish creatures that we are! For the sake of a little 
pleasure we have destroyed ourselves." 

The Great and the Little Fishes
A Fisherman was drawing up a net which he had cast into the sea, full of all sorts 
of fish. The Little Fish escaped through the meshes of the net, and got back into 
the deep, but the Great Fish were all caught and hauled into the ship. 
Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety. 

The Wolves and the Sheep
"Why should there always be this implacable warfare between us?" said the Wolves 
to the Sheep. "Those evil-disposed Dogs have much to answer for. They always bark 
whenever we approach you, and attack us before we have done any harm. If you would 
only dismiss them from your heels, there might soon be treaties of peace between 
us." The sheep, poor silly creatures! were easily beguiled, and dismissed the Dogs. 
The Wolves destroyed the unguarded flock at their pleasure. 
Change not friends for foes. 

The Fox and the Stork
The Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and provided nothing but a soup, in a wide, 
shallow dish. This he could lap up with ease; but the Stork, who could but just 
dip in the point of his bill, was not a bit better. A few days after, he returned 
the compliment, and invited the Fox; but suffered nothing to be brought to the table 
but some minced meat in a glass jar, the neck of which was so deep and so narrow, 
that, though the Stork with his long bill could eat very well, all that the Fox 
could do was to lick the brims. Reynard was heartily vexed, but owned that he had 
been used as he deserved. 
Those who practice cunning must expect to suffer by it. 

The Bat and the Weasels
A Bat, falling upon the ground, was caught by a Weasel, of whom he earnestly besought 
his life. The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. 
The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus saved his life. 
Shortly afterward the Bat again fell on the ground, and was caught by another Weasel, 
whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special 
hostility to mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat; and thus 
a second time escaped. 

The Hare and the Tortoise
A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise. The latter, 
laughing, said: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The 
Hare, deeming her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; 
and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course, and fix the goal. On the 
day appointed for the race they started together. The Tortoise never for a moment 
stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. 
The Hare, trusting to his native swiftness, cared little about the race, and lying 
down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he 
could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after 
her fatigue. 
Perseverance is surer than swiftness. 

Jupiter and the Monkey
Jupiter issued a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest, and promised a 
royal reward to the one whose offspring should be deemed the handsomest. The 
Monkey came with the rest, and presented, with all a mother's tenderness, a 
flat-nosed, hairless, ill-featured young Monkey as a candidate for the 
promised reward. A general laugh saluted her on the presentation of her son. 
She resolutely said: "I know not whether Jupiter will allot the prize to my son; 
but this I do know, that he is the dearest, handsomest, and most beautiful of 
all who are here." 
A mother's love blinds her to many imperfections. 

The Lion in Love
A Lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The Father, unwilling 
to grant and yet afraid to refuse his request, hit upon this expedient. He 
expressed his willingness to accept him as the suitor of his daughter on one 
condition; that he should allow him to extract his teeth, and cut off his 
claws. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal: when, however, he next 
repeated his request, the woodman set upon him with his club. 

The Miser
A Miser had a lump of gold which he buried in the ground, coming to look at 
the spot every day. One day he found that it was stolen, and he began to tear 
his hair and loudly lament. A neighbor, seeing him, said: "Pray do not grieve 
so; bury a stone in the hole, and fancy it is the gold. It will serve you just 
as well, for when the gold was there you made no use of it." 

The Wolf and the Goat
A Wolf saw a Goat feeding at the summit of a steep precipice, where he had not 
a chance of reaching her. He called to her, and earnestly besought her to come 
lower down, lest she should by some mishap get a fall; and he added that the 
meadows lay where he was standing, and that the herbage was most tender. She 
replied: "No, my friend, it is not of me you are thinking, but of yourself." 
Invitations prompted by selfishness are not to be accepted. 

The Bald Knight
A Bald Knight, who wore a wig, went out to hunt. A sudden puff of wind blew 
off his hat and wig, at which a loud laugh rang forth from his companions. 
He joined in the joke by saying: "What marvel that hairs which are not mine 
should fly from me, when my own have forsaken even the man with whom they 
were born." 
Those who cannot take care of their own, should not be entrusted with the 
care of another's property. 

The Fox and the Wood-Cutter
A Fox, running before the hounds, came across a Wood-cutter felling an oak, and 
besought him to show him a safe hiding-place. The Wood-cutter advised him to 
take shelter in his own hut. The Fox crept in, and hid himself in a corner. The 
Huntsman came up, with his hounds, in a few minutes, and inquired of the 
Wood-cutter if he had seen the Fox. He declared that he had not seen him, and yet 
pointed, all the time he was speaking, to the hut where the Fox lay hid. The 
Huntsman took no notice of the signs, but, believing his word, hastened forward 
in the chase. As soon as they were well away, the Fox departed without taking 
any notice of the Wood-cutter; whereon he called to him, and reproached him, 
saying: "You ungrateful fellow, you owe your life to me, and yet you leave me 
without a word of thanks." The Fox replied: "Indeed, I should have thanked you 
most fervently, if your deeds had been as good as your words." 

The Kid and the Wolf
A Kid, mounted on a high rock, bestowed all manner of abuse upon a Wolf on the 
ground below. The Wolf, looking up, replied: "Do not think, vain creature, 
that you annoy me. I regard this ill language as coming not from you, but from 
the place on which you stand." 

The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox
A Lion and a Bear seized upon a kid at the same moment, and fought fiercely 
for its possession. When they had fearfully lacerated each other, and were 
faint from the long combat, they lay down exhausted with fatigue. A Fox who 
had gone round them at a distance several times, saw them both stretched on 
the ground, and the Kid lying untouched in the middle, ran in between them, 
and seizing the Kid, scampered off as fast as he could. The Lion and the Bear 
saw him, but not being able to get up, said: "Woe betide us, that we should 
have fought and belabored ourselves only to serve the turn of a Fox!" 
It sometimes happens that one man has all the toil, and another 
all the profit. 

The Stag in the Ox-Stall
A Stag, hardly pressed by the hounds, and blind through fear to the danger he 
was running into, took shelter in a farm-yard, and hid himself in a shed among 
the oxen. An Ox gave him this kindly warning: "O unhappy creature! why should 
you thus, of your own accord, incur destruction, and trust yourself in the 
house of your enemy?" The Stag replied: "Do you only suffer me, friend, to stay 
where I am, and I will undertake to find some favorable opportunity of effecting 
my escape." At the approach of the evening the herdsman came to feed his cattle, 
but did not see the Stag. The Stag, congratulating himself on his safety, began 
to express his sincere thanks to the Oxen who had kindly afforded him help in the 
hour of need. One of them again answered him: "We indeed wish you well, but the 
danger is not over. There is one other yet to pass through the shed, who has as it 
were a hundred eyes, and, until he has come and gone, your life is still in peril." 
At that moment the master himself entered, and having had to complain that his 
oxen had not been properly fed, he went up to their racks, and cried out: "Why is 
there such a scarcity of fodder? There is not half enough straw for them to lie on. 
Those lazy fellows have not even swept the cobwebs away." While he thus examined 
everything, he spied the antlers of the Stag peeping out of the straw. Summoning 
his laborers, he ordered that the Stag should be killed. 
What is safety for one is not always safety for another. 

The Eagle and the Jackdaw
An Eagle, flying down from his eyrie on a lofty rock, seized upon a lamb, and 
carried him aloft in his talons. A Jackdaw who witnessed the capture of the lamb, 
was stirred with envy, and determined to emulate the strength and flight of the 
Eagle. He flew round with a great whirr of his wings, and settled upon a large 
sheep, with the intention of carrying it off, but his claws becoming entangled 
in its fleece, he was unable to release himself, although he fluttered with his 
feathers as much as he could. The shepherd, seeing what had happened, ran up and 
caught him. He at once clipped his wings, and, taking him home at night, gave 
him to his children. 
We should not permit our ambition to lead us beyond the limits of 
our power. 

The Three Tradesmen
A great city was besieged, and its inhabitants were called together to consider 
the best means of protecting it from the enemy. A Bricklayer present earnestly 
recommended bricks, as affording the best materials for an effectual resistance. 
A Carpenter, with equal energy, proposed timber, as providing a preferable 
method of defense. Upon which a Currier stood up, and said: "Sirs, I differ 
from you altogether; there is no material for resistance equal to a covering of 
hides; and nothing so good as leather." 
Every man for his trade. 

The Dancing Monkeys
A Prince had some Monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally great mimics of 
men's actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils; and when arrayed in 
their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers. 
The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion 
a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts, and 
threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys, at the sight of the nuts, forgot 
their dancing, and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys instead of actors, 
and pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one 
another for the nuts. The dancing spectacle thus came to an end, amidst the 
laughter and ridicule of the audience. 
They who assume a character will betray themselves by their 
actions. 

The Ass and the Grasshopper
An Ass, having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchanted; and 
desiring to possess the same charms of melody, demanded what sort of food 
they lived on, to give them such beautiful voices. They replied: "The dew." 
The Ass resolved that he would live only upon dew, and in a short time died 
of hunger. 
Where one may live, another may starve.

The Ass in the Lion's Skin
An Ass, having put on the Lion's skin, roamed about in the forest, and amused 
himself by frightening all the foolish animals he met with in his wanderings. 
At last, meeting a Fox, he tried to frighten him also, but the Fox no sooner 
heard the sound of his voice, than he exclaimed: "I might possibly have been 
frightened myself, if I had not heard your bray." 
No disguise will hide one's true character. 

The Boy Bathing
A Boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a 
traveler passing by for help. The traveler, instead of holding out a helping 
hand, stood up unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, 
sir!" cried the youth, "pray help me now, and scold me afterwards." 
Counsel, without help, is useless. 

The Cock and the Fox
The Fox, passing early one summer's morning near a farm-yard, was caught in 
a springe, which the farmer had planted there for that end. The Cock, at a 
distance, saw what happened, and, hardly yet daring to trust himself too near 
so dangerous a foe, approached him cautiously, and peeped at him. Reynard 
addressed himself to him, with all the designing artifice imaginable. "Dear 
cousin," says he, "you see what an unfortunate accident has befallen me here, 
and all upon your account: for, as I was creeping through yonder hedge, in my 
way homeward, I heard you crow, and was resolved to ask you how you did before 
I went any farther; but I met with this disaster; and therefore now I must ask 
you for a knife to cut this string; or, at least, to conceal my misfortune 
till I have gnawed it asunder." The Cock, seeing how the case stood, made no 
reply, but posted away as fast as he could, and told the farmer, who came and 
killed the Fox. 
To aid the vicious is to become a partner in their guilt. 

The Viper and the File
A Viper, entering the workshop of a smith, sought from the tools the means of 
satisfying his hunger. He more particularly addressed himself to a File, and 
asked of him the favor of a meal. The File replied: "You must indeed be a 
simple-minded fellow if you expect to get anything from me, who am accustomed 
to take from every one, and never to give anything in return." 
The covetous are poor givers. 

The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of oxen. The 
axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly, when the oxen, turning round, thus 
addressed the wheels: "Hallo there! why do you make so much noise? We bear 
all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out." 
Those who suffer most cry out the least. 

The Bear and the Bee-Hives
A Bear that had found his way into a garden where Bees were kept began to 
turn over the hives and devour the honey. The Bees settled in swarms about 
his head, and stung his eyes and nose so much, that, maddened with pain, 
he tore the skin from his head with his own claws. 

The Thrush and the Swallow
A young Thrush, who lived in an orchard once became acquainted with a Swallow. 
A friendship sprang up between them; and the Swallow, after skimming the 
orchard and the neighboring meadow, would every now and then come and visit 
the Thrush. The Thrush, hopping from branch to branch, would welcome him with 
his most cheerful note. "O mother!" said he to his parent one day, "never had 
creature such a friend as I have in this same Swallow."—"Nor ever any mother," 
replied the parent-bird, "such a silly son as I have in this same Thrush. Long 
before the approach of winter, your friend will have left you; and while you 
sit shivering on a leafless bough he will be sporting under sunny skies 
hundreds of miles away." 

The Sensible Ass
An Old Fellow, in time of war, was allowing his Ass to feed in a green meadow, 
when he was alarmed by a sudden advance of the enemy. He tried every means in 
his power to urge the Ass to fly, but in vain. "The enemy are upon us!" said 
he. "And what will the enemy do?" asked the Ass. "Will they put two pairs of 
panniers on my back, instead of one?"—"No," answered the Man; "there is no 
fear of that."—"Why, then," replied the Ass, "I'll not stir an inch. I am born 
to be a slave; and my greatest enemy is he who gives me most to carry." 

The Lion and the Ass
A Lion and an Ass made an agreement to go out hunting together. By-and-by 
they came to a cave, where wild goats abode. The Lion took up his station 
at the mouth of the cave, and the Ass, going within, kicked and brayed, and 
made a mighty fuss to frighten them out. When the Lion had caught them, 
the Ass came out and asked him if he had not made a noble fight. "Yes, 
indeed," said the Lion; "and I assure you, you would have frightened me 
too, if I had not known you to be an Ass." 

The Fox and the Ape
Upon the decease of the Lion, the beasts of the forest assembled to choose 
another king. The Ape played so many grimaces, gambols, and antic tricks, 
that he was elected by a large majority; and the crown was placed upon his 
head. The Fox, envious of this distinction, seeing, soon after, a trap 
baited with a piece of meat, approached the new king, and said with mock 
humility: "May it please your majesty, I have found on your domain a 
treasure, to which, if you will deign to accompany me, I will conduct you." 
The Ape thereupon set off with the Fox, and, on arriving at the spot, laid 
his paw upon the meat. Snap! went the trap, and caught him by the fingers. 
Mad with the shame and the pain, he reproached the Fox for a false thief 
and a traitor. Reynard laughed heartily, and said, with a sneer: "You a 
king, and not understand a trap!" 

The Lion and the Wolf
A Wolf, roaming by the mountain's side, saw his own shadow, as the sun 
was setting, become greatly extended and magnified, and he said to himself: 
"Why should I, being of such an immense size, and extending nearly an acre 
in length, be afraid of the Lion? Ought I not to be acknowledged as King of 
all the collected beasts?" While he was indulging in these proud thoughts, 
a Lion fell upon him, and killed him. He exclaimed with a too-late repentance, 
"Wretched me! this over-estimation of myself is the cause of my destruction." 
It is not wise, to hold too exalted an opinion of one's self. 

The Miller, his Son and their Ass
A miller and his Son were driving their Ass to a fair. On the way, they met 
a troop of girls. "Look there!" cried one of them, "did you ever see such 
fools, to be trudging along on foot when they might be riding?" The old Man, 
hearing this, quietly bade his Son get on the Ass, and walked along merrily 
by his side. Presently they came to a group of old men in earnest debate. 
"There!" said one of them, "it proves what I was saying. What respect is 
shown to old age in these days? Do you see that idle young rogue riding, 
while his old father has to walk?—Get down, you scapegrace! and let the old 
Man rest his weary limbs." Upon this the Father 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 good-natured Miller 
immediately took up his Son behind him. They had now almost reached the town. 
"Pray, honest friend," said a townsman, "is that Ass your own?" "Yes," says 
the old Man. "Oh! One would not have thought so 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. So, alighting with his Son, they 
tied the Ass's legs together, and by the help of a pole endeavored to carry 
him on their shoulders over a bridge. The people ran out in crowds to laugh 
at the sight; till the Ass, not liking the noise nor his situation, kicked 
asunder the cords and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon this 
the old Man made the best of his way home with his Son— convinced that, by 
endeavoring to please every-body, he had succeeded in pleasing nobody, and 
lost his Ass into the bargain. 

The Travelers and the Plane-Tree
Two Travelers, worn out by the heat of the summer's sun, laid themselves down 
at noon under the wide-spreading branches of a Plane-tree. As they rested 
under its shade, one of the Travelers said to the other: "What a singularly 
useless tree is the Plane. It bears no fruit, and is not of the least service 
to man." The Plane-tree interrupting him said: "You ungrateful fellows! Do you, 
while receiving benefits from me, and resting under my shade, dare to describe 
me as useless, and unprofitable?" 
Some men despise their best blessings because they come without cost. 

The Tortoise and the Two Ducks
A Tortoise, becoming tired of her humble home, resolved to visit foreign lands, 
but she did not know which way to go. She repaired to two Ducks to show her the 
road, and they told her that the best way to travel was through the air. On her 
imploring their help, they made her grasp a stick with her mouth, and so they 
bore her aloft. As they flew along, the gaping people beneath shouted at sight 
of the spectacle. The vain Tortoise mistook their shouts for applause. "I am 
surely a queen," said she. But, alas! as she opened her mouth to speak she lost 
her hold of the stick, and, falling to the ground, was dashed to pieces. 
Those who are not able to roam should stay at home. 

The Countryman and the Snake
A Villager found a Snake under a hedge, almost dead with cold. He could not 
help having a compassion for the poor creature, so he brought it home, and 
laid it upon the hearth near the fire; but it had not lain there long, 
before (being revived with the heat) it began to erect itself, and fly at 
his wife and children. The Countryman, hearing an outcry, and perceiving 
what the matter was, caught up a mattock, and soon dispatched him, 
upbraiding him at the same time in these words: "Is this, vile wretch, the 
reward you make to him that saved your life?" 
Kindness to the ungrateful and the vicious is thrown away. 

The Madman who Sold Wisdom
A Madman once set himself up in the market place, and with loud cries announced 
that he would sell Wisdom. The people at once crowded about him, and some gave 
him gold for his wares, but they each got only a blow on the ear and a bunch of 
thread, and were well laughed at by their companions. One of them, however, took 
it more seriously than the others, and asked a wise sage what it meant. "It 
means," said the sage, "that if one would not be hurt by a Madman, he must put a 
bunch of thread over his ears." 
So the Madman was really selling Wisdom. 

The Leopard and the Fox
A Leopard, being no longer able, by reason of old age, to pursue his prey, 
feigned illness, and gave out that he would confer great favors upon any 
animal that would cure him. A cunning Fox heard of the proclamation, and lost 
no time in visiting the Leopard, first making himself look as much like a 
physician as he could. On seeing him, the Leopard declared that such a 
distinguished looking animal could not fail to cure him. This so flattered 
the Fox that he came near, and at once fell a victim to his vanity, being 
unable to flee because of the disguise, which fettered his limbs. 
Flattery is a dangerous weapon in the hands of an enemy. 

The Hare afraid of his Ears
The Lion, being badly hurt by the horns of a goat, swore in a great rage 
that every animal with horns should be banished from his kingdom. A silly 
Hare, seeing the shadow of his ears, was in great fear lest they should 
be taken for horns, and scampered away. 

The Peacock and the Crane
A Peacock, spreading its gorgeous tail, mocked a Crane that passed by, 
ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage, and saying: "I am robed like 
a king, in gold and purple, and all the colors of the rainbow; while 
you have not a bit of color on your wings." "True," replied the Crane, 
"but I soar to the heights of heaven, and lift up my voice to the stars, 
while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the dunghill." 
Fine feathers don't make fine birds. 

The Mouse and the Weasel
A little starveling Mouse had made his way with some difficulty into a 
basket of corn, where, finding the entertainment so good, he stuffed 
and crammed himself to such an extent, that when he would have got out 
again he found the hole was too small to allow his puffed-up body to 
pass. As he sat at the hole groaning over his fate, a Weasel, who was 
brought to the spot by his cries, thus addressed him: "Stop there, my 
friend, and fast till you are thin; for you will never come out till 
you reduce yourself to the same condition as when you entered." 

The Fox and the Tiger
A skillful archer, coming into the woods, directed his arrows so 
successfully that he slew many wild beasts, and pursued several 
others. This put the whole savage kind into a fearful consternation, 
and made them fly to the most retired thickets for refuge. At last, 
the Tiger resumed courage, and, bidding them not be afraid, said that 
he alone would engage the enemy; telling them they might depend upon 
his valor and strength to revenge their wrongs. In the midst of these 
threats, while he was lashing himself with his tail, and tearing up 
the ground for anger, an arrow pierced his ribs, and hung by its 
barbed point in his side. He set up an hideous and loud roar, 
occasioned by the anguish which he felt, and endeavored to draw out 
the painful dart with his teeth; when the Fox, approaching him, 
inquired with an air of surprise who it was that could have strength 
and courage enough to wound so mighty and valorous a beast! "Ah!" 
says the Tiger, "I was mistaken in my reckoning: it was that 
invincible man yonder." 
There is always some vulnerable point in the strongest armor. 

The Fox and the Turkeys
A Fox spied some turkeys roosting in a tree. He managed to attract 
their attention and then ran about the tree, pretended to climb, 
walked on his hind legs, and did all sorts of tricks. Filled with 
fear, the Turkeys watched every one of his movements until they 
became dizzy, and, one by one, fell from their safe perch. 
By too much attention to danger, we may fall victims to it. 

The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow
An Eagle had made her nest at the top of a lofty oak. A Cat, having 
found a convenient hole, lived with her kittens in the middle of the 
trunk; and a Wild Sow with her young had taken shelter in a hollow 
at its foot. The Cat resolved to destroy by her arts this chance-made 
colony. She climbed to the nest of the Eagle, and said: "Destruction 
is preparing for you, and for me too. The Wild Sow, whom you may see 
daily digging up the earth, wishes to uproot the oak, that she may, 
on its fall, seize our families as food." Then she crept down to the 
cave of the Sow and said: "Your children are in great danger; for as 
soon as you shall go out with your litter to find food, the Eagle is 
prepared to pounce upon one of your little pigs." When night came, 
she went forth with silent foot and obtained food for herself and her 
kittens; but, feigning to be afraid, she kept a look-out all through 
the day. Meanwhile, the Eagle, full of fear of the Sow, sat still on 
the branches, and the Sow, terrified by the Eagle, did not dare to go 
out from her cave; and thus they each, with their families, perished 
from hunger. 
Those who stir up enmities are not to be trusted. 

The Peacock and the Magpie
The Birds once met together to choose a king; and, among others, the 
Peacock was a candidate. Spreading his showy tail, and stalking up and 
down with affected grandeur, he caught the eyes of the silly multitude 
by his brilliant appearance, and was elected with acclamation. The 
Magpie then stepped forth into the midst of the assembly, and thus 
addressed the new king: "May it please your majesty, elect to permit a 
humble admirer to propose a question. As our king, we put our lives 
and fortunes in your hands. If, therefore, the Eagle, the Vulture, and 
the Kite, should make a descent upon us, what means would you take for 
our defense?" This pithy question opened the eyes of the Birds to the 
weakness of their choice and they canceled the election. 

The Two Goats
Two Goats started at the same moment, from opposite ends, to cross a rude 
bridge that was only wide enough for one to cross at a time. Meeting at 
the middle of the bridge, neither would give way to the other. They locked 
horns and fought for the right of way, until they both fell into the 
torrent below and were drowned. 

The Dove and the Ant
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 being drowned. A Dove, 
sitting on a tree overhanging the water, plucked a leaf, and let it fall 
into the stream close to her. The Ant, climbing on to it, floated in safety 
to the bank. Shortly afterwards a bird catcher came close 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. He suddenly threw 
down the twigs, and thereupon made the Dove take wing. 
The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its 
gratitude. 

The Eagle and the Beetle
The Eagle and the Beetle were at enmity together, and they destroyed one 
another's nests. The Eagle gave the first provocation in seizing upon and 
in eating the young ones of the Beetle. The Beetle got by stealth at the 
Eagle's eggs, and rolled them out of the nest, and followed the Eagle even 
into the presence of Jupiter. On the Eagle making his complaint, Jupiter 
ordered him to make his nest in his lap; and while Jupiter had the eggs 
in his lap, the Beetle came flying about him, and Jupiter, rising up 
unawares to drive him away from his head, threw down the eggs, and broke 
them. 
The weak often revenge themselves on those who use them ill, even 
though they be the more powerful. 

The Mule
A Mule, frolicsome from want of work and from overmuch corn, galloped about 
in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself: "My father surely was a 
high-mettled racer, and I am his own child in speed and spirit." On the 
next day, being driven a long journey, and feeling very weary, he exclaimed 
in a disconsolate tone: "I must have made a mistake; my father, after all, 
could have been only an ass." 

The Cat, the Weasel and the Rabbit
While a Rabbit was absent from his hole one day, a Weasel took possession of 
it. On the Rabbit's return, seeing the Weasel's nose sticking out, he said: 
"You must leave this hole immediately. There is only room for one, and it 
has always belonged to me and my fathers before me." "The more reason that 
you should give it up now," said the Weasel, "and leave its possession to 
me." As they could not settle the dispute, they agreed to leave the question 
of ownership to a wise old Cat, to whom they went without more ado. "I am 
deaf," said the Cat. "Put your noses close to my ears." No sooner had they 
done so, than she clapped a paw upon each of them, and killed them both. 
The strong are apt to settle all questions by the rule of might. 

The Rat and the Frog
A Rat in an evil day made acquaintance with a Frog, and they set off on 
their travels together. The Frog, on pretense of great affection, and of 
keeping his companion out of harm's way, tied the Rat's foot to his own 
hind-leg, and thus they proceeded for some distance by land. Presently 
they came to some water, and the Frog, bidding the Rat have good courage, 
began to swim across. They had scarcely, however, arrived midway, when the 
Frog took a sudden plunge to the bottom, dragging the unfortunate Rat 
after him. But the struggling and floundering of the Rat made so great a 
commotion in the water that it attracted the attention of a Kite, who, 
pouncing down and bearing off the Rat, carried away the Frog at the same 
time in his train. 
Inconsiderate and ill-matched alliances generally end in ruin; and the 
man who compasses the destruction of his neighbor, is often caught in 
his own snare. 

The Widow and the Sheep
There was a certain Widow who had an only Sheep, and, wishing to make the most 
of his wool, she sheared him so closely that she cut his skin as well as his 
fleece. The Sheep, smarting under this treatment, cried out: "Why do you 
torture me thus? What will my blood add to the weight of the wool? If you want 
my flesh, Dame, send for the Butcher, who will put me out of my misery at once; 
but if you want my fleece, send for the Shearer, who will clip my wool without 
drawing my blood." 
Economy may be carried too far. 

The Man Bitten by a Dog
A Man who had been bitten by a Dog was going about asking who could cure him. 
One that met him said: "Sir, if you would be cured, take a bit of bread and 
dip it in the blood of the wound, and give it to the dog that bit you." The 
Man smiled, and said: "If I were to follow your advice, I should be bitten 
by all the dogs in the city." 
He who proclaims himself ready to buy up his enemies will never 
want a supply of them. 

The Horse and the Wolf
A Wolf saw a Horse grazing in a field. Putting on a grave air, he approached 
him and said: "Sir, you must be very ill; I have some skill as a physician, 
and if you will tell me where your ailment is, I shall be glad to be of 
service." Said the horse: "If you will examine my foot, you will find what 
ails me." But as the wily Wolf approached him, with a kick he sent him flying 
into the air. 

The Goatherd and the Goats
It was a stormy day, and the snow was falling fast, when a Goatherd drove 
his Goats, all white with snow, into a desert cave for shelter. There he 
found that a herd of Wild Goats, more numerous and larger than his own, had 
already taken possession. So, thinking to secure them all, he left his own 
Goats to take care of themselves, and threw the branches which he had brought 
for them to the Wild Goats to browse on. But when the weather cleared up, he 
found his own Goats had perished from hunger, while the Wild Goats were off 
and away to the hills and woods. So the Goatherd returned a laughing-stock to 
his neighbors, having failed to gain the Wild Goats, and having lost his own. 
They who neglect their old friends for the sake of new ones, are rightly 
served if they lose both. 

The Goose with the Golden Eggs
A certain man had the good fortune to possess a Goose that laid him a Golden 
Egg every day. But dissatisfied with so slow an income, and thinking to seize 
the whole treasure at once, he killed the Goose, and cutting her open, found 
her—just what any other goose would be! 
Much wants more, and loses all. 

The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
An Old Woman found an empty jar which had lately been full of prime old wine, 
and which still retained the fragrant smell of its former contents. She 
greedily placed it several times to her nose, and drawing it backwards and 
forwards, said: "O most delicious! How nice must the Wine itself have been 
when it leaves behind in the very vessel which contained it so sweet a 
perfume!" 
The memory of a good deed lives. 

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. 
The same measures will not suit all circumstances. 

The Gnat and the Bull
A Gnat that had been buzzing about the head of a Bull, at length settling himself 
down upon his horn, begged his pardon for incommoding him; "but if," says he, "my 
weight at all inconveniences you, pray say so, and I will be off in a moment." 
"Oh, never trouble your head about that," says the Bull, "for 'tis all one to me 
whether you go or stay; and, to say the truth, I did not know you were there." 
The smaller the Mind the greater the Conceit. 

The Lion and the Gnat
As a Gnat was buzzing around a Lion, the Lion said to him: "How dare you 
approach so near? Be off, or I will kill you with the least stroke of my paw." 
The Gnat, knowing the advantage of his small size, and his alertness, 
immediately challenged the boaster to combat, and alighting first upon his 
nose and then upon his tail, made the Lion so furious that he injured himself 
grievously with his paws. As the Gnat flew away he boasted of his own prowess 
in thus defeating the King of Beasts without the slightest injury to himself. 
But, in his carelessness, he flew directly into a spider's web, and the spider 
instantly seized and killed him. 
Closure is sweeter.

The Lion, the Ass and the Fox Hunting
The Lion, the Ass and the Fox formed a party to go out hunting. They took a large 
booty, and when the sport was ended, bethought themselves of having a hearty meal. 
The Lion bade the Ass allot the spoil. So, dividing it into three equal parts, the 
Ass begged his friends to make their choice; at which the Lion, in great 
indignation, fell upon the Ass and tore him to pieces. He then bade the Fox make 
a division; who, gathering the whole into one great heap, reserved but the smallest 
mite for himself. "Ah! friend," says the Lion, "who taught you to make so equitable 
a division?" "I wanted no other lesson," replied the Fox, "than the Ass's fate." 
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own. 

The Dog Whose Ears were Cropped
A Dog complained of the cruelty of her master in cutting off her ears, and was 
so ashamed of her appearance that she resolved to stay in her kennel with her 
family. A friendly hunting dog said to her: "If you had been peaceful, and not 
always fighting, you would have saved your ears and your good looks. If you will 
fight, it is a kindness to crop your ears, that they may not give your enemy the 
advantage." 

The Wind and the Sun
A dispute once arose between the Wind and the Sun, which was the stronger of 
the two, and they agreed to settle the point upon this issue—that whichever of 
the two soonest made a traveler take off his cloak, should be accounted the 
more powerful. The Wind began, and blew with all his might and main a blast, 
cold and fierce as a Thracian storm; but the stronger he blew, the closer the 
traveler wrapped his cloak around him, and the tighter he grasped it with his 
hands. Then broke out the Sun. With his welcome beams he dispersed the vapor 
and the cold; the traveler felt the genial warmth, and as the Sun shone 
brighter and brighter, he sat down, quite overcome with the heat, and taking 
off his cloak, cast it on the ground. Thus the Sun was declared the conqueror; 
and it has ever been deemed that persuasion is better than force; and that the 
sunshine of a kind and gentle manner will sooner lay open a poor man's heart 
than all the threatenings and force of blustering authority. 

The Wild Boar and the Fox
A Wild Boar was whetting his tusks against a tree, when a Fox coming by, asked 
why he did so; "for," said he, "I see no reason for it; there is neither hunter 
nor hound in sight, nor any other danger that I can see, at hand." "True," 
replied the Boar; "but when that danger does arise, I shall have something else 
to do than to sharpen my weapons." 
It is too late to whet the sword when the trumpet sounds to draw it. 

The Hunter and the Wolf
A greedy Hunter one day shot a fine Deer, and ere he could dress it, a pretty 
Fawn came that way, and an arrow brought it to the ground. A Boar now chanced 
to be passing, and the Hunter wounded it so that it lay upon the ground as if 
dead. Not satisfied with this game, he must needs pursue a Partridge that came 
fluttering near, and while he was doing so the wounded Boar regained enough 
strength to spring upon him and kill him. A Wolf came that way, and seeing the 
four dead bodies, said: "Here is food for a month; but I will save the best, 
and be content to-day with the bow-string." But when he seized the string it 
loosened the fixed arrow, which shot him through the heart. 
The greedy man and the miser cannot enjoy their gains. 

The Astronomer
An Astronomer used to walk out every night to gaze upon the stars. It happened 
one night that, with his whole thoughts rapt up in the skies, he fell into a well. 
One who heard his cries ran up to him, and said: "While you are trying to pry into 
the mysteries of heaven, you overlook the common objects under your feet." 
We should never look so high as to miss seeing the things that are 
around us. 

The Bulls and the Frogs
Two Bulls lived in the same herd, and each aspiring to be the leader and master, 
they finally engaged in a fierce battle. An old Frog, who sat on the bank of a 
stream near by, began to groan and to quake with fear. A thoughtless young Frog 
said to the old one: "Why need you be afraid? What is it to you that the Bulls 
fight for supremacy?" "Do you not see," said the old Frog, "that one must defeat 
the other, and that the defeated Bull, being driven from the field, will be 
forced to stay in the marshes, and will thus trample us to death?" 
The poor and weak are often made to suffer for the follies of 
the great. 

The Thief and His Mother
A Schoolboy stole a horn-book from one of his schoolfellows, and brought it 
home to his mother. Instead of chastising him, she rather encouraged him in 
the deed. In course of time the boy, now grown into a man, began to steal 
things of greater value, until, at last, being caught in the very act, he 
was brought to the Judge and sentenced to be hung. As he was being led to 
the scaffold, the mother bowed herself to the ground with grief. A neighbor 
seeing her thus, said to her: "It is too late for you to moan and sob now. 
If you had been as much grieved when he committed his first theft, you would 
have corrected him in time, and thus have saved yourself this sorrowful day." 
Nip evil in the bud. 

The Man and His Two Wives
In days when a man was allowed more wives than one, a middle-aged bachelor, 
who could be called neither young nor old, and whose hair was only just 
beginning to turn gray, must needs fall in love with two women at once, 
and marry them both. The one was young and blooming, and wished her husband 
to appear as youthful as herself; the other was somewhat more advanced in 
age, and was as anxious that her husband should appear a suitable match for 
her. So, while the young one seized every opportunity of pulling out the 
good man's gray hairs, the old one was as industrious in plucking out every 
black hair she could find, till he found that, between the one and the 
other, he had not a hair left. 
He that submits his principles to the influence and caprices 
of opposite parties will end in having no principles at all. 

The Heifer, the Goat, the Sheep and the Lion
A Heifer, a Goat, a Sheep, and a Lion formed a partnership, and agreed to divide 
their earnings. The Goat having snared a stag, they sent for the Lion to divide 
it for them. The Lion said: "I will make four parts—the first shall be mine as 
judge; the second, because I am strongest; the third, because I am bravest; and 
the fourth—I will kill any one who dares touch it." 
He who will steal a part will steal the whole. 

The Camel and the Travelers
Two Travelers on a desert saw a Camel in the distance, and were greatly 
frightened at his huge appearance, thinking it to be some huge monster. While 
they hid behind some low shrubs, the animal came nearer, and they discovered 
that it was only a harmless Camel which had excited their fears. 
Distance exaggerates dangers.

The Swan and the Goose
A certain rich man bought in the market a Goose and a Swan. He fed the one for 
his table, and kept the other for the sake of its song. When the time came for 
killing the Goose, the cook went to take him at night, when it was dark, and 
he was not able to distinguish one bird from the other, and he caught the Swan 
instead of the Goose. The Swan, threatened with death, burst forth into song, 
and thus made himself known by his voice, and preserved his life by his melody. 
Sweet words may deliver us from peril, when harsh words would fail. 

The Dolphins and the Sprat
The Dolphins and the Whales were at war with one another, and the Sprat stepped 
in and endeavored to separate them. But one of the Dolphins cried out: "We would 
rather perish in the contest, than be reconciled by you." 

The Shepherd and the Sea
A Shepherd moved down his flock to feed near the shore, and beholding the Sea 
lying in a smooth calm, he was seized with a strong desire to sail over it. So 
he sold all his sheep and bought a cargo of Dates, and loaded a vessel, and set 
sail. He had not gone far when a storm arose; his ship was wrecked, and his 
Dates and everything lost, and he himself with difficulty escaped to land. Not 
long after, when the Sea was again calm, and one of his friends came up to him 
and was admiring its repose, he said: "Have a care, my good fellow, of that 
smooth surface, it is only looking out for your Dates." 

The Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp
Some Bees had built their comb in the hollow trunk of an oak. The Drones asserted 
that it was their doing, and belonged to them. The cause was brought into court 
before Judge Wasp. Knowing something of the parties, he thus addressed them: 
"The plaintiffs and defendants are so much alike in shape and color as to render 
the ownership a doubtful matter. Let each party take a hive to itself, and build 
up a new comb, that from the shape of the cells and the taste of the honey, the 
lawful proprietors of the property in dispute may appear." The Bees readily 
assented to the Wasp's plan. The Drones declined it. Whereupon the Wasp gave 
judgment: "It is clear now who made the comb, and who cannot make it; the Court 
adjudges the honey to the Bees." 
Professions are best tested by deeds. 

The Wolf, the Goat and the Kid
As an old Goat was going forth to pasture, she carefully latched her door, and 
bid her kid not to open it to any one who could not give this pass-word: 
"Beware of the Wolf and all his race." A Wolf happened to be passing, and 
overheard what the old Goat said. When she was gone, he went to the 
door, and, knocking, said: "Beware of the Wolf and all his race." But the Kid, 
peeping through a crack, said: "Show me a white paw and I will open the door." 
As the Wolf could not do this, he had to depart, no better than he came. 
Two sureties are better than one.

The Fox and the Hedgehog
A Fox, while crossing over a river, was driven by the stream into a narrow 
gorge, and lay there for along time unable to get out, covered with myriads 
of horse-flies that had fastened themselves upon him. A Hedgehog, who was 
wandering in that direction, saw him, and taking compassion on him, asked him 
if he should drive away the flies that were so tormenting him. But the Fox 
begged him to do nothing of the sort. "Why not?" asked the Hedgehog. 
"Because," replied the Fox, "these flies that are upon me now are already 
full, and draw but little blood, but should you remove them, a swarm of 
fresh and hungry ones will come, who will not leave a drop of blood in my 
body." 
When we throw off rulers or dependents, who have already 
made the most of us, we do but, for the most part, lay 
ourselves open to others, who will make us bleed yet 
more freely. 

The Brazier and His Dog
A Brazier had a little Dog, which was a great favorite with his master, and his 
constant companion. While he hammered away at his metals the Dog slept; but when, 
on the other hand, he went to dinner, and began to eat, the Dog woke up, and 
wagged his tail, as if he would ask for a share of his meal. His master one day, 
pretending to be angry, and shaking his stick at him, said: "You wretched little 
sluggard! what shall I do to you? While I am hammering on the anvil, you sleep on 
the mat, and when I begin to eat after my toil, you wake up and wag your tail for 
food. Do you not know that labor is the source of every blessing, and that none 
but those who work are entitled to eat?" 

The Wild Ass and the Lion
A Wild Ass and a Lion entered into an alliance that they might capture the beasts 
of the forest with the greater ease. The Lion agreed to assist the Wild Ass with 
strength, while the Wild Ass gave the Lion the benefit of his greater speed. When 
they had taken as many beasts as their necessities required, the Lion undertook 
to distribute the prey, and for this purpose divided it into three shares. "I will 
take the first share," he said, "because I am king; and the second share, as a 
partner with you in the chase; and the third share (believe me) will be a source 
of great evil to you, unless you willingly resign it to me, and set off as fast as 
you can." 
Might makes right. 

The Father and His Two Daughters
A man had two daughters, the one married to a gardener, and the other to a 
tile-maker. After a time he went to the daughter who had married the gardener, 
and inquired how she was, and how all things went with her. She said: "All 
things are prospering with me, and I have only one wish, that there may be a 
heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants may be well watered." Not long 
after he went to the daughter who had married the tile-maker, and likewise 
inquired of her how she fared; she replied: "I want for nothing, and have only 
one wish, that the dry weather may continue, and the sun shine hot and bright, 
so that the bricks might be dried." He said to her: "If your sister wishes for 
rain, and you for dry weather, with which of the two am I to join my wishes?" 

The Fir Tree and the Bramble
A Fir Tree said boastingly to the Bramble: "You are useful for nothing at all, 
while I am everywhere used for roofs and houses." The Bramble made answer: "You 
poor creature, if you would only call to mind the axes and saws which are about 
to hew you down, you would have reason to wish that you had grown up a Bramble, 
not a Fir Tree." 
Better poverty without care, than riches with. 

The Fox and the Monkey
A Monkey once danced in an assembly of the Beasts, and so pleased them all by 
his performance that they elected him their king. A Fox envying him the honor, 
discovered a piece of meat lying in a trap, and leading the Monkey to the place 
where it was, said "that she had found a store, but had not used it, but had 
kept it for him as treasure trove of his kingdom, and counseled him to lay hold 
of it." The Monkey approached carelessly, and was caught in the trap; and on 
his accusing the Fox of purposely leading him into the snare, she replied: "O 
Monkey, and are you, with such a mind as yours, going to be king over the 
Beasts?" 

The Farmer and His Sons
A Farmer being on the point of death, wished to insure from his sons the same 
attention to his farm as he had himself given it. He called them to his bedside, 
and said: "My sons, there is a great treasure hid in one of my vineyards." The 
sons, after his death, took their spades and mattocks, and carefully dug over 
every portion of their land. They found no treasure, but the vines repaid their 
labor by an extraordinary and superabundant crop. 

The Cat and the Birds
A Cat, hearing that the Birds in a certain aviary were ailing, dressed himself 
up as a physician, and, taking with him his cane and the instruments becoming 
his profession, went to the aviary, knocked at the door, and inquired of the 
inmates how they all did, saying that if they were ill, he would be happy to 
prescribe for them and cure them. They replied: "We are all very well, and 
shall continue so, if you will only be good enough to go away, and leave us as 
we are." 

The Stag, the Wolf and the Sheep
A Stag asked a Sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, and said that the Wolf 
would be his surety. The Sheep, fearing some fraud was intended, excused 
herself, saying: "The Wolf is accustomed to seize what he wants, and to run 
off, and you, too, can quickly out-strip me in your rapid flight. How then 
shall I be able to find you when the day of payment comes?" 
Two blacks do not make one white. 

The Raven and the Swan
A Raven saw a Swan, and desired to secure for himself a like beauty of plumage. 
Supposing that his splendid white color arose from his washing in the water in 
which he swam, the Raven left the altars in the neighborhood of which he picked 
up his living, and took up his abode in the lakes and pools. But cleansing his 
feathers as often as he would, he could not change their color, while through 
want of food he perished. 
Change of habit cannot alter nature. 

The Lioness
A controversy prevailed among the beasts of the field, as to which of the animals 
deserved the most credit for producing the greatest number of whelps at a birth. 
They rushed clamorously into the presence of the Lioness, and demanded of her the 
settlement of the dispute. "And you," they said, "how many sons have you at a 
birth?" The Lioness laughed at them, and said: "Why! I have only one; but that 
one is altogether a thorough-bred Lion." 
The value is in the worth, not in the number. 

LIFE OF ÆSOP.

The Life and History of Æsop is involved, like that of Homer, the most 
famous of Greek poets, in much obscurity. Sardis, the capital of Lydia; 
Samos, a Greek island; Mesembria, an ancient colony in Thrace; and 
Cotiæum, the chief city of a province of Phrygia, contend for the 
distinction of being the birthplace of Æsop. Although the honor thus 
claimed cannot be definitely assigned to any one of these places, yet 
there are a few incidents now generally accepted by scholars as 
established facts, relating to the birth, life, and death of Æsop. He 
is, by an almost universal consent, allowed to have been born about the 
year 620 B.C., and to have been by birth a slave. He was owned by two 
masters in succession, both inhabitants of Samos, Xanthus and Jadmon, 
the latter of whom gave him his liberty as a reward for his learning 
and wit. One of the privileges of a freedman in the ancient republics 
of Greece was the permission to take an active interest in public 
affairs; and Æsop, like the philosophers Phædo, Menippus, and Epictetus, 
in later times, raised himself from the indignity of a servile condition 
to a position of high renown. In his desire alike to instruct and to be 
instructed, he travelled through many countries, and among others came 
to Sardis, the capital of the famous king of Lydia, the great patron in 
that day, of learning and of learned men. He met at the court of Croesus 
with Solon, Thales, and other sages, and is related so to have pleased 
his royal master, by the part he took in the conversations held with 
these philosophers, that he applied to him an expression which has since 
passed into a proverb, "µ.. . ."-"The Phrygian has spoken better 
than all." 

On the invitation of Croesus he fixed his residence at Sardis, and was 
employed by that monarch in various difficult and delicate affairs of 
state. In his discharge of these commissions he visited the different 
petty republics of Greece. At one time he is found in Corinth, and at 
another in Athens, endeavoring, by the narration of some of his wise 
fables, to reconcile the inhabitants of those cities to the 
administration of their respective rulers, Pariander and Pisistratus. 
One of these ambassadorial missions, undertaken at the command of 
Croesus, was the occasion of his death. Having been sent to Delphi with 
a large sum of gold for distribution among the citizens, he was so 
provoked at their covetousness that he refused to divide the money, 
and sent it back to his master. The Delphians, enraged at this 
treatment, accused him of impiety, and, in spite of his sacred 
character as ambassador, executed him as a public criminal. This cruel 
death of Æsop was not unavenged. The citizens of Delphi were visited 
with a series of calamities, until they made a public reparation of their 
crime; and "The blood of Æsop" became a well-known adage, bearing witness 
to the truth that deeds of wrong would not pass unpunished. Neither did 
the great fabulist lack posthumous honors; for a statue was erected to 
his memory at Athens, the work of Lysippus, one of the most famous of 
Greek sculptors. Phædrus thus immortalizes the event:- Æsopo ingentem 
statuam posuere Attici,Servumque collocarunt æterna in basi:Patere 
honoris scirent ut cuncti viam;Nec generi tribui sed virtuti gloriam. 

These few facts are all that can be relied on with any degree of 
certainty, in reference to the birth, life, and death of Æsop. They were 
first brought to light, after a patient search and diligent perusal of 
ancient authors, by a Frenchman, M. Claude Gaspard Bachet de Mezeriac, 
who declined the honor of being tutor to Louis XIII. of France, from his 
desire to devote himself exclusively to literature. He published his 
life of Æsop, Anno Domini 1632. The later investigations of a host of 
English and German scholars have added very little to the facts given by 
M. Mezeriac. The substantial truth of his statements has been confirmed 
by later criticism and inquiry.