The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop's Fables, by AesopThe Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop's...
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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofAesop'sFables,byAesop
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Title:Aesop'sFables
Author:Aesop
PostingDate:December18,2011[EBook#28]ReleaseDate:March8,1992LastUpdated:March15,2002
Language:English
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AESOP'SFABLES(82Fables)
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1-2122-42
TheCockandthePearlTheFrogandtheOxTheWolfandtheLambAndroclesTheDogandtheShadowTheBat,theBirds,andtheBeastsTheLion'sShareTheHartandtheHunterTheWolfandtheCraneTheSerpentandtheFileTheManandtheSerpentTheManandtheWoodTheTownMouseandtheCountryMouseTheDogandtheWolfTheFoxandtheCrowTheBellyandtheMembersTheSickLionTheHartintheOx-StallTheAssandtheLapdogTheFoxandtheGrapesTheLionandtheMouseTheHorse,Hunter,andStagTheSwallowandtheOtherBirdsThePeacockandJunoTheFrogsDesiringaKingTheFoxandtheLionTheMountainsinLabourTheLionandtheStatueTheHaresandtheFrogsTheAntandtheGrasshopperTheWolfandtheKidTheTreeandtheReedTheWoodmanandtheSerpentTheFoxandtheCatTheBaldManandtheFlyTheWolfinSheep'sClothingTheFoxandtheStorkTheDogintheMangerTheFoxandtheMaskTheManandtheWoodenGodTheJayandthePeacockTheFisher
43-6263-82TheShepherd'sBoyTheMiserandHisGoldTheYoungThiefandHisMotherTheFoxandtheMosquitoesTheManandHisTwoWivesTheFoxWithoutaTailTheNurseandtheWolfTheOne-EyedDoeTheTortoiseandtheBirdsBellingtheCatTheTwoCrabsTheHareandtheTortoiseTheAssintheLion'sSkinTheOldManandDeathTheTwoFellowsandtheBearTheHareWithManyFriendsTheTwoPotsTheLioninLoveTheFourOxenandtheLionTheBundleofSticksTheFisherandtheLittleFishTheLion,theFox,andtheBeastsAvariciousandEnviousTheAss'sBrainsTheCrowandthePitcherTheEagleandtheArrowTheManandtheSatyrTheMilkmaidandHerPailTheGooseWiththeGoldenEggsTheCat-MaidenTheLabourerandtheNightingaleTheHorseandtheAss
TheFox,theCock,andtheDogTheTrumpeterTakenPrisonerTheWindandtheSunTheBuffoonandtheCountrymanHerculesandtheWaggonerTheOldWomanandtheWine-JarTheMan,theBoy,andtheDonkeyTheFoxandtheGoat
Aesop'sFables
TheCockandthePearl
Acockwasoncestruttingupanddownthefarmyardamongthehenswhensuddenlyheespiedsomethingshinningamidthestraw."Ho!ho!"quothhe,"that'sforme,"andsoonrooteditoutfrombeneaththestraw.WhatdiditturnouttobebutaPearlthatbysomechancehadbeenlostintheyard?"Youmaybeatreasure,"quothMasterCock,"tomenthatprizeyou,butformeIwouldratherhaveasinglebarley-cornthanapeckofpearls."
Preciousthingsareforthosethatcanprizethem.
TheWolfandtheLamb
OnceuponatimeaWolfwaslappingataspringonahillside,when,lookingup,whatshouldheseebutaLambjustbeginningtodrinkalittlelowerdown."There'smysupper,"thoughthe,"ifonlyIcanfindsomeexcusetoseizeit."ThenhecalledouttotheLamb,"HowdareyoumuddlethewaterfromwhichIamdrinking?"
"Nay,master,nay,"saidLambikin;"ifthewaterbemuddyupthere,Icannotbethecauseofit,foritrunsdownfromyoutome."
"Well,then,"saidtheWolf,"whydidyoucallmebadnamesthistimelastyear?"
"Thatcannotbe,"saidtheLamb;"Iamonlysixmonthsold."
"Idon'tcare,"snarledtheWolf;"ifitwasnotyouitwas
yourfather;"andwiththatherusheduponthepoorlittleLamband.WARRAWARRAWARRAWARRAWARRA.ateherallup.Butbeforeshediedshegaspedout."Anyexcusewillserveatyrant."
TheDogandtheShadow
IthappenedthataDoghadgotapieceofmeatandwascarryingithomeinhismouthtoeatitinpeace.Nowonhiswayhomehehadtocrossaplanklyingacrossarunningbrook.Ashecrossed,helookeddownandsawhisownshadowreflectedinthewaterbeneath.Thinkingitwasanotherdogwithanotherpieceofmeat,hemadeuphismindtohavethatalso.Sohemadeasnapattheshadowinthewater,butasheopenedhismouththepieceofmeatfellout,droppedintothewaterandwasneverseenmore.
Bewarelestyoulosethesubstancebygraspingattheshadow.
TheLion'sShare
TheLionwentoncea-huntingalongwiththeFox,theJackal,andtheWolf.TheyhuntedandtheyhuntedtillatlasttheysurprisedaStag,andsoontookitslife.Thencamethequestionhowthespoilshouldbedivided."QuartermethisStag,"roaredtheLion;sotheotheranimalsskinneditandcutitintofourparts.ThentheLiontookhisstandinfrontofthecarcassandpronouncedjudgment:ThefirstquarterisformeinmycapacityasKingofBeasts;thesecondismineasarbiter;anothersharecomestomeformypartinthechase;andasforthefourthquarter,well,asforthat,Ishouldliketoseewhichofyouwilldaretolayapawuponit."
"Humph,"grumbledtheFoxashewalkedawaywithhistailbetweenhislegs;buthespokeinalowgrowl."Youmaysharethelaboursofthegreat,butyouwillnotsharethespoil."
TheWolfandtheCrane
AWolfhadbeengorgingonananimalhehadkilled,whensuddenlyasmallboneinthemeatstuckinhisthroatandhecouldnotswallowit.Hesoonfeltterriblepaininhisthroat,andranupanddowngroaningandgroaningandseekingforsomethingtorelievethepain.Hetriedtoinduceeveryonehemettoremovethebone."Iwouldgiveanything,"saidhe,"ifyouwouldtakeitout."AtlasttheCraneagreedtotry,andtoldtheWolftolieonhissideandopenhisjawsaswideashecould.ThentheCraneputitslongneckdowntheWolf'sthroat,andwithitsbeakloosenedthebone,tillatlastitgotitout.
"Willyoukindlygivemetherewardyoupromised?"saidtheCrane.
TheWolfgrinnedandshowedhisteethandsaid:"Becontent.YouhaveputyourheadinsideaWolf'smouthandtakenitoutagaininsafety;thatoughttoberewardenoughforyou."
Gratitudeandgreedgonottogether.
TheManandtheSerpent
ACountryman'ssonbyaccidenttroduponaSerpent'stail,whichturnedandbithimsothathedied.Thefatherinaragegothisaxe,andpursuingtheSerpent,cutoffpartofitstail.SotheSerpentinrevengebeganstingingseveraloftheFarmer'scattleandcausedhimsevereloss.Well,theFarmerthoughtitbesttomakeitupwiththeSerpent,andbroughtfoodandhoneytothemouthofitslair,andsaidtoit:"Let'sforgetandforgive;perhapsyouwererighttopunishmyson,andtakevengeanceonmycattle,butsurelyIwasrightintryingtorevengehim;nowthatwearebothsatisfiedwhyshouldnotwebefriendsagain?"
"No,no,"saidtheSerpent;"takeawayyourgifts;youcanneverforgetthedeathofyourson,norIthelossofmytail."
Injuriesmaybeforgiven,butnotforgotten.
TheTownMouseandtheCountryMouse
NowyoumustknowthataTownMouseonceuponatimewentonavisittohiscousininthecountry.Hewasroughandready,thiscousin,buthelovedhistownfriendandmadehimheartilywelcome.Beansandbacon,cheeseandbread,wereallhehadtooffer,butheofferedthemfreely.TheTownMouseratherturneduphislongnoseatthiscountryfare,andsaid:"Icannotunderstand,Cousin,howyoucanputupwithsuchpoorfoodasthis,butofcourseyoucannotexpectanythingbetterinthecountry;comeyouwithmeandIwillshowyouhowtolive.Whenyouhavebeenintownaweekyouwillwonderhowyoucouldeverhavestoodacountrylife."Nosoonersaidthandone:thetwomicesetoffforthetownandarrivedattheTownMouse'sresidencelateatnight."Youwillwantsomerefreshmentafterourlongjourney,"saidthepoliteTownMouse,andtookhisfriendintothegranddining-room.Theretheyfoundtheremainsofafinefeast,andsoonthetwomicewereeatingupjelliesandcakesandallthatwasnice.Suddenlytheyheardgrowlingandbarking."Whatisthat?"saidtheCountryMouse."Itisonlythedogsofthehouse,"answeredtheother."Only!"saidtheCountryMouse."Idonotlikethatmusicatmydinner."Justatthatmomentthedoorflewopen,incametwohugemastiffs,andthetwomicehadtoscamperdownandrunoff."Good-bye,Cousin,"saidtheCountryMouse,"What!goingsosoon?"saidtheother."Yes,"hereplied;
"Betterbeansandbaconinpeacethancakesandaleinfear."
TheFoxandtheCrow
AFoxoncesawaCrowflyoffwithapieceofcheeseinitsbeakandsettleonabranchofatree."That'sforme,asIamaFox,"saidMasterReynard,andhewalkeduptothefootofthetree."Good-day,MistressCrow,"hecried."Howwellyouarelookingto-day:howglossyyourfeathers;howbrightyoureye.Ifeelsureyourvoicemustsurpassthatofotherbirds,justasyourfiguredoes;letmehearbutonesongfromyouthatImaygreetyouastheQueenofBirds."TheCrowliftedupherheadandbegantocawherbest,butthemomentsheopenedhermouththepieceofcheesefelltotheground,onlytobesnappedupbyMasterFox."Thatwilldo,"saidhe."ThatwasallIwanted.InexchangeforyourcheeseIwillgiveyouapieceofadviceforthefuture."Donottrustflatterers."
TheSickLion
ALionhadcometotheendofhisdaysandlaysickuntodeathatthemouthofhiscave,gaspingforbreath.Theanimals,hissubjects,cameroundhimanddrewnearerashegrewmoreandmorehelpless.Whentheysawhimonthepointofdeaththeythoughttothemselves:"Nowisthetimetopayoffoldgrudges."SotheBoarcameupanddroveathimwithhistusks;thenaBullgoredhimwithhishorns;stilltheLionlayhelplessbeforethem:sotheAss,feelingquitesafefromdanger,cameup,andturninghistailtotheLionkickeduphisheelsintohisface."Thisisadoubledeath,"growledtheLion.
Onlycowardsinsultdyingmajesty.
TheAssandtheLapdog
AFarmeronedaycametothestablestoseetohisbeastsofburden:amongthemwashisfavouriteAss,thatwasalwayswellfedandoftencarriedhismaster.WiththeFarmercamehisLapdog,whodancedaboutandlickedhishandandfriskedaboutashappyascouldbe.TheFarmerfeltinhispocket,gavetheLapdogsomedaintyfood,andsatdownwhilehegavehisorderstohisservants.TheLapdogjumpedintohismaster'slap,andlaythereblinkingwhiletheFarmerstrokedhisears.TheAss,seeingthis,brokeloosefromhishalterandcommencedprancingaboutinimitationoftheLapdog.TheFarmercouldnotholdhissideswithlaughter,sotheAsswentuptohim,andputtinghisfeetupontheFarmer'sshoulderattemptedtoclimbintohislap.TheFarmer'sservantsrushedupwithsticksandpitchforksandsoontaughttheAssthat.Clumsyjestingisnojoke.
TheLionandtheMouse
OncewhenaLionwasasleepalittleMousebeganrunningupanddownuponhim;thissoonwakenedtheLion,whoplacedhishugepawuponhim,andopenedhisbigjawstoswallowhim."Pardon,OKing,"criedthelittleMouse:
"forgivemethistime,Ishallneverforgetit:whoknowsbutwhatImaybeabletodoyouaturnsomeofthesedays?"TheLionwassotickledattheideaoftheMousebeingabletohelphim,thathelifteduphispawandlethimgo.SometimeaftertheLionwascaughtinatrap,andthehunterswhodesiredtocarryhimalivetotheKing,tiedhimtoatreewhiletheywentinsearchofawaggontocarryhimon.JustthenthelittleMousehappenedtopassby,andseeingthesadplightinwhichtheLionwas,wentuptohimandsoongnawedawaytheropesthatboundtheKingoftheBeasts."WasInotright?"saidthelittleMouse.
Littlefriendsmayprovegreatfriends.
TheSwallowandtheOtherBirds
IthappenedthataCountrymanwassowingsomehempseedsinafieldwhereaSwallowandsomeotherbirdswerehoppingaboutpickinguptheirfood."Bewareofthatman,"quoththeSwallow."Why,whatishedoing?"saidtheothers."Thatishempseedheissowing;becarefultopickupeveryoneoftheseeds,orelseyouwillrepentit."ThebirdspaidnoheedtotheSwallow'swords,andbyandbythehempgrewupandwasmadeintocord,andofthecordsnetsweremade,andmanyabirdthathaddespisedtheSwallow'sadvicewascaughtinnetsmadeoutofthatveryhemp."WhatdidItellyou?"saidtheSwallow.
Destroytheseedofevil,oritwillgrowuptoyourruin.
TheFrogsDesiringaKing
TheFrogswerelivingashappyascouldbeinamarshyswampthatjustsuitedthem;theywentsplashingaboutcaringfornobodyandnobodytroublingwiththem.Butsomeofthemthoughtthatthiswasnotright,thattheyshouldhaveakingandaproperconstitution,sotheydeterminedtosendupapetitiontoJovetogivethemwhattheywanted."MightyJove,"theycried,"senduntousakingthatwillruleoverusandkeepusinorder."Jovelaughedattheircroaking,andthrewdownintotheswampahugeLog,whichcamedownsplashingintotheswamp.TheFrogswerefrightenedoutoftheirlivesbythecommotionmadein
theirmidst,andallrushedtothebanktolookatthehorriblemonster;butafteratime,seeingthatitdidnotmove,oneortwooftheboldestofthemventuredouttowardstheLog,andevendaredtotouchit;stillitdidnotmove.ThenthegreatestherooftheFrogsjumpedupontheLogandcommenceddancingupanddownuponit,thereuponalltheFrogscameanddidthesame;andforsometimetheFrogswentabouttheirbusinesseverydaywithouttakingtheslightestnoticeoftheirnewKingLoglyingintheirmidst.Butthisdidnotsuitthem,sotheysentanotherpetitiontoJove,andsaidtohim,"Wewantarealking;onethatwillreallyruleoverus."NowthismadeJoveangry,sohesentamongthemabigStorkthatsoonsettoworkgobblingthemallup.ThentheFrogsrepentedwhentoolate.
Betternorulethancruelrule.
TheMountainsinLabour
OnedaytheCountrymennoticedthattheMountainswereinlabour;smokecameoutoftheirsummits,theearthwasquakingattheirfeet,treeswerecrashing,andhugerocksweretumbling.Theyfeltsurethatsomethinghorriblewasgoingtohappen.Theyallgatheredtogetherinoneplacetoseewhatterriblethingthiscouldbe.Theywaitedandtheywaited,butnothingcame.Atlasttherewasastillmoreviolentearthquake,andahugegapappearedinthesideoftheMountains.Theyallfelldownupontheirkneesandwaited.Atlast,andatlast,ateeny,tinymousepokeditslittleheadandbristlesoutofthegapandcamerunningdowntowardsthem,andeveraftertheyusedtosay:
"Muchoutcry,littleoutcome."
TheHaresandtheFrogs
TheHaresweresopersecutedbytheotherbeasts,theydidnotknowwheretogo.Assoonastheysawasingleanimalapproachthem,offtheyusedtorun.OnedaytheysawatroopofwildHorsesstampedingabout,andinquiteapanic
alltheHaresscuttledofftoalakehardby,determinedtodrownthemselvesratherthanliveinsuchacontinualstateoffear.Butjustastheygotnearthebankofthelake,atroopofFrogs,frightenedintheirturnbytheapproachoftheHaresscuttledoff,andjumpedintothewater."Truly,"saidoneoftheHares,"thingsarenotsobadastheyseem:
"Thereisalwayssomeoneworseoffthanyourself."
TheWolfandtheKid
AKidwaspercheduponthetopofahouse,andlookingdownsawaWolfpassingunderhim.Immediatelyhebegantorevileandattackhisenemy."Murdererandthief,"hecried,"whatdoyouherenearhonestfolks'houses?Howdareyoumakeanappearancewhereyourviledeedsareknown?"
"Curseaway,myyoungfriend,"saidtheWolf.
"Itiseasytobebravefromasafedistance."
TheWoodmanandtheSerpent
OnewintrydayaWoodmanwastrampinghomefromhisworkwhenhesawsomethingblacklyingonthesnow.WhenhecamecloserhesawitwasaSerpenttoallappearancedead.Buthetookitupandputitinhisbosomtowarmwhilehehurriedhome.AssoonashegotindoorsheputtheSerpentdownonthehearthbeforethefire.Thechildrenwatcheditandsawitslowlycometolifeagain.Thenoneofthemstoopeddowntostrokeit,buttheSerpentraiseditsheadandputoutitsfangsandwasabouttostingthechildtodeath.SotheWoodmanseizedhisaxe,andwithonestrokecuttheSerpentintwo."Ah,"saidhe,
"Nogratitudefromthewicked."
TheBaldManandtheFly
TherewasonceaBaldManwhosatdownafterworkonahotsummer'sday.AFlycameupandkeptbuzzingabouthisbaldpate,andstinginghimfromtimetotime.TheManaimedablowathislittleenemy,butackspalmcameonhisheadinstead;againtheFlytormentedhim,butthistimetheManwaswiserandsaid:
"Youwillonlyinjureyourselfifyoutakenoticeofdespicableenemies."
TheFoxandtheStork
AtonetimetheFoxandtheStorkwereonvisitingtermsandseemedverygoodfriends.SotheFoxinvitedtheStorktodinner,andforajokeputnothingbeforeherbutsomesoupinaveryshallowdish.ThistheFoxcouldeasilylapup,buttheStorkcouldonlywettheendofherlongbillinit,andleftthemealashungryaswhenshebegan."Iamsorry,"saidtheFox,"thesoupisnottoyourliking."
"Praydonotapologise,"saidtheStork."Ihopeyouwillreturnthisvisit,andcomeanddinewithmesoon."SoadaywasappointedwhentheFoxshouldvisittheStork;butwhentheywereseatedattableallthatwasfortheirdinnerwascontainedinaverylong-neckedjarwithanarrowmouth,inwhichtheFoxcouldnotinserthissnout,soallhecouldmanagetodowastolicktheoutsideofthejar.
"Iwillnotapologiseforthedinner,"saidtheStork:
"Onebadturndeservesanother."
TheFoxandtheMask
AFoxhadbysomemeansgotintothestore-roomofatheatre.Suddenlyheobservedafaceglaringdownonhimandbegantobeveryfrightened;butlookingmorecloselyhefounditwasonlyaMasksuchasactorsusetoputovertheirface."Ah,"saidtheFox,"youlookveryfine;itisapityyouhavenotgot
anybrains."
Outsideshowisapoorsubstituteforinnerworth.
TheJayandthePeacock
AJayventuringintoayardwherePeacocksusedtowalk,foundthereanumberoffeatherswhichhadfallenfromthePeacockswhentheyweremoulting.HetiedthemalltohistailandstrutteddowntowardsthePeacocks.Whenhecamenearthemtheysoondiscoveredthecheat,andstridinguptohimpeckedathimandpluckedawayhisborrowedplumes.SotheJaycoulddonobetterthangobacktotheotherJays,whohadwatchedhisbehaviourfromadistance;buttheywereequallyannoyedwithhim,andtoldhim:
"Itisnotonlyfinefeathersthatmakefinebirds."
TheFrogandtheOx
"OhFather,"saidalittleFrogtothebigonesittingbythesideofapool,"Ihaveseensuchaterriblemonster!Itwasasbigasamountain,withhornsonitshead,andalongtail,andithadhoofsdividedintwo."
"Tush,child,tush,"saidtheoldFrog,"thatwasonlyFarmerWhite'sOx.Itisn'tsobigeither;hemaybealittlebittallerthanI,butIcouldeasilymakemyselfquiteasbroad;justyousee."Soheblewhimselfout,andblewhimselfout,andblewhimselfout."Washeasbigasthat?"askedhe.
"Oh,muchbiggerthanthat,"saidtheyoungFrog.
Againtheoldoneblewhimselfout,andaskedtheyoungoneiftheOxwasasbigasthat.
"Bigger,father,bigger,"wasthereply.
SotheFrogtookadeepbreath,andblewandblewandblew,andswelledand
swelledandswelled.Andthenhesaid:"I'msuretheOxisnotasbigasthis.Butatthismomentheburst.
Self-conceitmayleadtoself-destruction.
Androcles
AslavenamedAndroclesonceescapedfromhismasterandfledtotheforest.AshewaswanderingabouttherehecameuponaLionlyingdownmoaningandgroaning.Atfirstheturnedtoflee,butfindingthattheLiondidnotpursuehim,heturnedbackandwentuptohim.Ashecamenear,theLionputouthispaw,whichwasallswollenandbleeding,andAndroclesfoundthatahugethornhadgotintoit,andwascausingallthepain.HepulledoutthethornandboundupthepawoftheLion,whowassoonabletoriseandlickthehandofAndrocleslikeadog.ThentheLiontookAndroclestohiscave,andeverydayusedtobringhimmeatfromwhichtolive.ButshortlyafterwardsbothAndroclesandtheLionwerecaptured,andtheslavewassentencedtobethrowntotheLion,afterthelatterhadbeenkeptwithoutfoodforseveraldays.TheEmperorandallhisCourtcametoseethespectacle,andAndrocleswasledoutintothemiddleofthearena.SoontheLionwasletloosefromhisden,andrushedboundingandroaringtowardshisvictim.ButassoonashecameneartoAndroclesherecognisedhisfriend,andfawneduponhim,andlickedhishandslikeafriendlydog.TheEmperor,surprisedatthis,summonedAndroclestohim,whotoldhimthewholestory.Whereupontheslavewaspardonedandfreed,andtheLionletloosetohisnativeforest.
Gratitudeisthesignofnoblesouls.
TheBat,theBirds,andtheBeasts
AgreatconflictwasabouttocomeoffbetweentheBirdsandtheBeasts.WhenthetwoarmieswerecollectedtogethertheBathesitatedwhichtojoin.TheBirdsthatpassedhisperchsaid:"Comewithus";buthesaid:"IamaBeast."Lateron,someBeastswhowerepassingunderneathhimlookedupandsaid:"Comewith
us";buthesaid:"IamaBird."Luckilyatthelastmomentpeacewasmade,andnobattletookplace,sotheBatcametotheBirdsandwishedtojoinintherejoicings,buttheyallturnedagainsthimandhehadtoflyaway.HethenwenttotheBeasts,butsoonhadtobeataretreat,orelsetheywouldhavetornhimtopieces."Ah,"saidtheBat,"Iseenow,
"Hethatisneitheronethingnortheotherhasnofriends."
TheHartandtheHunter
TheHartwasoncedrinkingfromapoolandadmiringthenoblefigurehemadethere."Ah,"saidhe,"wherecanyouseesuchnoblehornsasthese,withsuchantlers!IwishIhadlegsmoreworthytobearsuchanoblecrown;itisapitytheyaresoslimandslight."AtthatmomentaHunterapproachedandsentanarrowwhistlingafterhim.AwayboundedtheHart,andsoon,bytheaidofhisnimblelegs,wasnearlyoutofsightoftheHunter;butnotnoticingwherehewasgoing,hepassedundersometreeswithbranchesgrowinglowdowninwhichhisantlerswerecaught,sothattheHunterhadtimetocomeup."Alas!alas!"criedtheHart:
"Weoftendespisewhatismostusefultous."
TheSerpentandtheFile
ASerpentinthecourseofitswanderingscameintoanarmourer'sshop.Asheglidedoverthefloorhefelthisskinprickedbyafilelyingthere.Inarageheturnedrounduponitandtriedtodarthisfangsintoit;buthecoulddonoharmtoheavyironandhadsoontogiveoverhiswrath.
Itisuselessattackingtheinsensible.
TheManandtheWood
AMancameintoaWoodonedaywithanaxeinhishand,andbeggedalltheTreestogivehimasmallbranchwhichhewantedforaparticularpurpose.TheTreesweregood-naturedandgavehimoneoftheirbranches.WhatdidtheMandobutfixitintotheaxehead,andsoonsettoworkcuttingdowntreeaftertree.ThentheTreessawhowfoolishtheyhadbeeningivingtheirenemythemeansofdestroyingthemselves.
TheDogandtheWolf
AgauntWolfwasalmostdeadwithhungerwhenhehappenedtomeetaHouse-dogwhowaspassingby."Ah,Cousin,"saidtheDog."Iknewhowitwouldbe;yourirregularlifewillsoonbetheruinofyou.WhydoyounotworksteadilyasIdo,andgetyourfoodregularlygiventoyou?"
"Iwouldhavenoobjection,"saidtheWolf,"ifIcouldonlygetaplace."
"Iwilleasilyarrangethatforyou,"saidtheDog;"comewithmetomymasterandyoushallsharemywork."
SotheWolfandtheDogwenttowardsthetowntogether.OnthewaytheretheWolfnoticedthatthehaironacertainpartoftheDog'sneckwasverymuchwornaway,soheaskedhimhowthathadcomeabout.
"Oh,itisnothing,"saidtheDog."Thatisonlytheplacewherethecollarisputonatnighttokeepmechainedup;itchafesabit,butonesoongetsusedtoit."
"Isthatall?"saidtheWolf."Thengood-byetoyou,MasterDog."
Betterstarvefreethanbeafatslave.
TheBellyandtheMembers
OnefinedayitoccurredtotheMembersoftheBodythattheyweredoingalltheworkandtheBellywashavingallthefood.Sotheyheldameeting,andaftera
longdiscussion,decidedtostrikeworktilltheBellyconsentedtotakeitspropershareofthework.Soforadayortwo,theHandsrefusedtotakethefood,theMouthrefusedtoreceiveit,andtheTeethhadnoworktodo.ButafteradayortwotheMembersbegantofindthattheythemselveswerenotinaveryactivecondition:theHandscouldhardlymove,andtheMouthwasallparchedanddry,whiletheLegswereunabletosupporttherest.SothustheyfoundthateventheBellyinitsdullquietwaywasdoingnecessaryworkfortheBody,andthatallmustworktogetherortheBodywillgotopieces.
TheHartintheOx-Stall
AHarthotlypursuedbythehoundsfledforrefugeintoanox-stall,andburieditselfinatrussofhay,leavingnothingtobeseenbutthetipsofhishorns.SoonaftertheHunterscameupandaskedifanyonehadseentheHart.Thestableboys,whohadbeenrestingaftertheirdinner,lookedround,butcouldseenothing,andtheHunterswentaway.Shortlyafterwardsthemastercamein,andlookinground,sawthatsomethingunusualhadtakenplace.Hepointedtothetrussofhayandsaid:"Whatarethosetwocuriousthingsstickingoutofthehay?"AndwhenthestableboyscametolooktheydiscoveredtheHart,andsoonmadeanendofhim.HethuslearntthatNothingescapesthemaster'seye.
TheFoxandtheGrapes
Onehotsummer'sdayaFoxwasstrollingthroughanorchardtillhecametoabunchofGrapesjustripeningonavinewhichhadbeentrainedoveraloftybranch."Justthethingtoquenchmythirst,"quothhe.Drawingbackafewpaces,hetookarunandajump,andjustmissedthebunch.TurningroundagainwithaOne,Two,Three,hejumpedup,butwithnogreatersuccess.Againandagainhetriedafterthetemptingmorsel,butatlasthadtogiveitup,andwalkedawaywithhisnoseintheair,saying:"Iamsuretheyaresour."
Itiseasytodespisewhatyoucannotget.
TheHorse,Hunter,andStag
AquarrelhadarisenbetweentheHorseandtheStag,sotheHorsecametoaHuntertoaskhishelptotakerevengeontheStag.TheHunteragreed,butsaid:"IfyoudesiretoconquertheStag,youmustpermitmetoplacethispieceofironbetweenyourjaws,sothatImayguideyouwiththesereins,andallowthissaddletobeplaceduponyourbacksothatImaykeepsteadyuponyouaswefollowaftertheenemy."TheHorseagreedtotheconditions,andtheHuntersoonsaddledandbridledhim.ThenwiththeaidoftheHuntertheHorsesoonovercametheStag,andsaidtotheHunter:"Now,getoff,andremovethosethingsfrommymouthandback."
"Notsofast,friend,"saidtheHunter."Ihavenowgotyouunderbitandspur,andprefertokeepyouasyouareatpresent."
Ifyouallowmentouseyouforyourownpurposes,theywilluseyoufortheirs.
ThePeacockandJuno
APeacockonceplacedapetitionbeforeJunodesiringtohavethevoiceofanightingaleinadditiontohisotherattractions;butJunorefusedhisrequest.Whenhepersisted,andpointedoutthathewasherfavouritebird,shesaid:
"Becontentwithyourlot;onecannotbefirstineverything."
TheFoxandtheLion
WhenfirsttheFoxsawtheLionhewasterriblyfrightened,andranawayandhidhimselfinthewood.NexttimehoweverhecameneartheKingofBeastshestoppedatasafedistanceandwatchedhimpassby.ThethirdtimetheycamenearoneanothertheFoxwentstraightuptotheLionandpassedthetimeofdaywithhim,askinghimhowhisfamilywere,andwhenheshouldhavethepleasureofseeinghimagain;thenturninghistail,hepartedfromtheLionwithoutmuchceremony.
Familiaritybreedscontempt.
TheLionandtheStatue
AManandaLionwerediscussingtherelativestrengthofmenandlionsingeneral.TheMancontendedthatheandhisfellowswerestrongerthanlionsbyreasonoftheirgreaterintelligence."Comenowwithme,"hecried,"andIwillsoonprovethatIamright."SohetookhimintothepublicgardensandshowedhimastatueofHerculesovercomingtheLionandtearinghismouthintwo.
"Thatisallverywell,"saidtheLion,"butprovesnothing,foritwasamanwhomadethestatue."
Wecaneasilyrepresentthingsaswewishthemtobe.
TheAntandtheGrasshopper
Inafieldonesummer'sdayaGrasshopperwashoppingabout,chirpingandsingingtoitsheart'scontent.AnAntpassedby,bearingalongwithgreattoilanearofcornhewastakingtothenest.
"Whynotcomeandchatwithme,"saidtheGrasshopper,"insteadoftoilingandmoilinginthatway?"
"Iamhelpingtolayupfoodforthewinter,"saidtheAnt,"andrecommendyoutodothesame."
"Whybotheraboutwinter?"saidtheGrasshopper;wehavegotplentyoffoodatpresent."ButtheAntwentonitswayandcontinueditstoil.WhenthewintercametheGrasshopperhadnofoodandfounditselfdyingofhunger,whileitsawtheantsdistributingeverydaycornandgrainfromthestorestheyhadcollectedinthesummer.ThentheGrasshopperknew:
Itisbesttoprepareforthedaysofnecessity.
TheTreeandtheReed
"Well,littleone,"saidaTreetoaReedthatwasgrowingatitsfoot,"whydoyounotplantyourfeetdeeplyintheground,andraiseyourheadboldlyintheairasIdo?"
"Iamcontentedwithmylot,"saidtheReed."Imaynotbesogrand,butIthinkIamsafer."
"Safe!"sneeredtheTree."Whoshallpluckmeupbytherootsorbowmyheadtotheground?"Butitsoonhadtorepentofitsboasting,forahurricanearosewhichtoreitupfromitsroots,andcastitauselesslogontheground,whilethelittleReed,bendingtotheforceofthewind,soonstooduprightagainwhenthestormhadpassedover.
Obscurityoftenbringssafety.
TheFoxandtheCat
AFoxwasboastingtoaCatofitscleverdevicesforescapingitsenemies."Ihaveawholebagoftricks,"hesaid,"whichcontainsahundredwaysofescapingmyenemies."
"Ihaveonlyone,"saidtheCat;"butIcangenerallymanagewiththat."Justatthatmomenttheyheardthecryofapackofhoundscomingtowardsthem,andtheCatimmediatelyscamperedupatreeandhidherselfintheboughs."Thisismyplan,"saidtheCat."Whatareyougoingtodo?"TheFoxthoughtfirstofoneway,thenofanother,andwhilehewasdebatingthehoundscamenearerandnearer,andatlasttheFoxinhisconfusionwascaughtupbythehoundsandsoonkilledbythehuntsmen.MissPuss,whohadbeenlookingon,said:
"Betteronesafewaythanahundredonwhichyoucannotreckon."
TheWolfinSheep'sClothing
AWolffoundgreatdifficultyingettingatthesheepowingtothevigilanceoftheshepherdandhisdogs.Butonedayitfoundtheskinofasheepthathadbeenflayedandthrownaside,soitputitonoveritsownpeltandstrolleddownamongthesheep.TheLambthatbelongedtothesheep,whoseskintheWolfwaswearing,begantofollowtheWolfintheSheep'sclothing;so,leadingtheLambalittleapart,hesoonmadeamealoffher,andforsometimehesucceededindeceivingthesheep,andenjoyingheartymeals.
Appearancesaredeceptive.
TheDogintheManger
ADoglookingoutforitsafternoonnapjumpedintotheMangerofanOxandlaytherecosilyuponthestraw.ButsoontheOx,returningfromitsafternoonwork,cameuptotheMangerandwantedtoeatsomeofthestraw.TheDoginarage,beingawakenedfromitsslumber,stoodupandbarkedattheOx,andwheneveritcamenearattemptedtobiteit.AtlasttheOxhadtogiveupthehopeofgettingatthestraw,andwentawaymuttering:
"Ah,peopleoftengrudgeotherswhattheycannotenjoythemselves."
TheManandtheWoodenGod
Intheolddaysmenusedtoworshipsticksandstonesandidols,andprayedtothemtogivethemluck.IthappenedthataManhadoftenprayedtoawoodenidolhehadreceivedfromhisfather,buthisluckneverseemedtochange.Heprayedandheprayed,butstillheremainedasunluckyasever.OnedayinthegreatestragehewenttotheWoodenGod,andwithoneblowsweptitdownfromitspedestal.Theidolbrokeintwo,andwhatdidhesee?Animmensenumberofcoinsflyingallovertheplace.
TheFisher
AFisheroncetookhisbagpipestothebankofariver,andplayeduponthemwiththehopeofmakingthefishrise;butneveraoneputhisnoseoutofthewater.Sohecasthisnetintotheriverandsoondrewitforthfilledwithfish.Thenhetookhisbagpipesagain,and,asheplayed,thefishleaptupinthenet."Ah,youdancenowwhenIplay,"saidhe.
"Yes,"saidanoldFish:
"Whenyouareinaman'spoweryoumustdoashebidsyou."
TheShepherd'sBoy
TherewasonceayoungShepherdBoywhotendedhissheepatthefootofamountainnearadarkforest.Itwasratherlonelyforhimallday,sohethoughtuponaplanbywhichhecouldgetalittlecompanyandsomeexcitement.Herusheddowntowardsthevillagecallingout"Wolf,Wolf,"andthevillagerscameouttomeethim,andsomeofthemstoppedwithhimforaconsiderabletime.Thispleasedtheboysomuchthatafewdaysafterwardshetriedthesametrick,andagainthevillagerscametohishelp.ButshortlyafterthisaWolfactuallydidcomeoutfromtheforest,andbegantoworrythesheep,andtheboyofcoursecriedout"Wolf,Wolf,"stilllouderthanbefore.Butthistimethevillagers,whohadbeenfooledtwicebefore,thoughttheboywasagaindeceivingthem,andnobodystirredtocometohishelp.SotheWolfmadeagoodmealofftheboy'sflock,andwhentheboycomplained,thewisemanofthevillagesaid:
"Aliarwillnotbebelieved,evenwhenhespeaksthetruth."
TheYoungThiefandHisMother
AyoungManhadbeencaughtinadaringactoftheftandhadbeencondemnedtobeexecutedforit.HeexpressedhisdesiretoseehisMother,andtospeakwithherbeforehewasledtoexecution,andofcoursethiswasgranted.WhenhisMothercametohimhesaid:"Iwanttowhispertoyou,"andwhenshebroughtherearnearhim,henearlybititoff.Allthebystanderswerehorrified,
andaskedhimwhathecouldmeanbysuchbrutalandinhumanconduct."Itistopunishher,"hesaid."WhenIwasyoungIbeganwithstealinglittlethings,andbroughtthemhometoMother.Insteadofrebukingandpunishingme,shelaughedandsaid:"Itwillnotbenoticed."ItisbecauseofherthatIamhereto-day."
"Heisright,woman,"saidthePriest;"theLordhathsaid:
"Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo;andwhenheisoldhewillnotdeparttherefrom."
TheManandHisTwoWives
Intheolddays,whenmenwereallowedtohavemanywives,amiddle-agedManhadonewifethatwasoldandonethatwasyoung;eachlovedhimverymuch,anddesiredtoseehimlikeherself.NowtheMan'shairwasturninggrey,whichtheyoungWifedidnotlike,asitmadehimlooktoooldforherhusband.Soeverynightsheusedtocombhishairandpickoutthewhiteones.ButtheelderWifesawherhusbandgrowinggreywithgreatpleasure,forshedidnotliketobemistakenforhismother.Soeverymorningsheusedtoarrangehishairandpickoutasmanyoftheblackonesasshecould.TheconsequencewastheMansoonfoundhimselfentirelybald.
Yieldtoallandyouwillsoonhavenothingtoyield.
TheNurseandtheWolf
"Bequietnow,"saidanoldNursetoachildsittingonherlap."IfyoumakethatnoiseagainIwillthrowyoutotheWolf."
NowitchancedthataWolfwaspassingcloseunderthewindowasthiswassaid.Sohecroucheddownbythesideofthehouseandwaited."Iamingoodluckto-day,"thoughthe."Itissuretocrysoon,andadaintiermorselIhaven'thadformanyalongday."Sohewaited,andhewaited,andhewaited,tillatlastthe
childbegantocry,andtheWolfcameforwardbeforethewindow,andlookeduptotheNurse,wagginghistail.ButalltheNursedidwastoshutdownthewindowandcallforhelp,andthedogsofthehousecamerushingout."Ah,"saidtheWolfashegallopedaway,
"Enemiespromisesweremadetobebroken."
TheTortoiseandtheBirds
ATortoisedesiredtochangeitsplaceofresidence,soheaskedanEagletocarryhimtohisnewhome,promisingherarichrewardforhertrouble.TheEagleagreedandseizingtheTortoisebytheshellwithhertalonssoaredaloft.OntheirwaytheymetaCrow,whosaidtotheEagle:"Tortoiseisgoodeating.""Theshellistoohard,"saidtheEagleinreply."Therockswillsooncracktheshell,"wastheCrow'sanswer;andtheEagle,takingthehint,letfalltheTortoiseonasharprock,andthetwobirdsmadeaheartymealoftheTortoise.
Neversoaraloftonanenemy'spinions.
TheTwoCrabs
OnefinedaytwoCrabscameoutfromtheirhometotakeastrollonthesand."Child,"saidthemother,"youarewalkingveryungracefully.Youshouldaccustomyourself,towalkingstraightforwardwithouttwistingfromsidetoside."
"Pray,mother,"saidtheyoungone,"dobutsettheexampleyourself,andIwillfollowyou."
Exampleisthebestprecept.
TheAssintheLion'sSkin
AnAssoncefoundaLion'sskinwhichthehuntershadleftoutinthesuntodry.Heputitonandwenttowardshisnativevillage.Allfledathisapproach,bothmenandanimals,andhewasaproudAssthatday.Inhisdelighthelifteduphisvoiceandbrayed,buttheneveryoneknewhim,andhisownercameupandgavehimasoundcudgellingforthefrighthehadcaused.AndshortlyafterwardsaFoxcameuptohimandsaid:"Ah,Iknewyoubyyourvoice."
Fineclothesmaydisguise,butsillywordswilldiscloseafool.
TheTwoFellowsandtheBear
TwoFellowsweretravellingtogetherthroughawood,whenaBearrushedoutuponthem.Oneofthetravellershappenedtobeinfront,andheseizedholdofthebranchofatree,andhidhimselfamongtheleaves.Theother,seeingnohelpforit,threwhimselfflatdownupontheground,withhisfaceinthedust.TheBear,cominguptohim,puthismuzzleclosetohisear,andsniffedandsniffed.Butatlastwithagrowlheshookhisheadandslouchedoff,forbearswillnottouchdeadmeat.Thenthefellowinthetreecamedowntohiscomrade,and,laughing,said"WhatwasitthatMasterBruinwhisperedtoyou?"
"Hetoldme,"saidtheother,
"Nevertrustafriendwhodesertsyouatapinch."
TheTwoPots
TwoPotshadbeenleftonthebankofariver,oneofbrass,andoneofearthenware.Whenthetiderosetheybothfloatedoffdownthestream.Nowtheearthenwarepottrieditsbesttokeepalooffromthebrassone,whichcriedout:"Fearnothing,friend,Iwillnotstrikeyou."
"ButImaycomeincontactwithyou,"saidtheother,"ifIcometooclose;andwhetherIhityou,oryouhitme,Ishallsufferforit."
Thestrongandtheweakcannotkeepcompany.
TheFourOxenandtheLion
ALionusedtoprowlaboutafieldinwhichFourOxenusedtodwell.Manyatimehetriedtoattackthem;butwheneverhecameneartheyturnedtheirtailstooneanother,sothatwhicheverwayheapproachedthemhewasmetbythehornsofoneofthem.Atlast,however,theyfella-quarrellingamongthemselves,andeachwentofftopasturealoneinaseparatecornerofthefield.ThentheLionattackedthemonebyoneandsoonmadeanendofallfour.
Unitedwestand,dividedwefall.
TheFisherandtheLittleFish
IthappenedthataFisher,afterfishingallday,caughtonlyalittlefish."Pray,letmego,master,"saidtheFish."Iammuchtoosmallforyoureatingjustnow.IfyouputmebackintotheriverIshallsoongrow,thenyoucanmakeafinemealoffme."
"Nay,nay,mylittleFish,"saidtheFisher,"Ihaveyounow.Imaynotcatchyouhereafter."
Alittlethinginhandisworthmorethanagreatthinginprospect.
AvariciousandEnvious
TwoneighbourscamebeforeJupiterandprayedhimtogranttheirhearts'desire.Nowtheonewasfullofavarice,andtheothereatenupwithenvy.Sotopunishthemboth,Jupitergrantedthateachmighthavewhateverhewishedforhimself,butonlyonconditionthathisneighbourhadtwiceasmuch.TheAvariciousmanprayedtohavearoomfullofgold.Nosoonersaidthandone;butallhisjoywasturnedtogriefwhenhefoundthathisneighbourhadtworoomsfullofthepreciousmetal.ThencametheturnoftheEnviousman,whocouldnotbeartothinkthathisneighbourhadanyjoyatall.Soheprayedthathemighthaveoneofhisowneyesputout,bywhichmeanshiscompanionwouldbecometotally
blind.
Vicesaretheirownpunishment.
TheCrowandthePitcher
ACrow,half-deadwiththirst,cameuponaPitcherwhichhadoncebeenfullofwater;butwhentheCrowputitsbeakintothemouthofthePitcherhefoundthatonlyverylittlewaterwasleftinit,andthathecouldnotreachfarenoughdowntogetatit.Hetried,andhetried,butatlasthadtogiveupindespair.Thenathoughtcametohim,andhetookapebbleanddroppeditintothePitcher.ThenhetookanotherpebbleanddroppeditintothePitcher.ThenhetookanotherpebbleanddroppedthatintothePitcher.ThenhetookanotherpebbleanddroppedthatintothePitcher.ThenhetookanotherpebbleanddroppedthatintothePitcher.ThenhetookanotherpebbleanddroppedthatintothePitcher.Atlast,atlast,hesawthewatermountupnearhim,andaftercastinginafewmorepebbleshewasabletoquenchhisthirstandsavehislife.
Littlebylittledoesthetrick.
TheManandtheSatyr
AManhadlosthiswayinawoodonebitterwinter'snight.Ashewasroamingabout,aSatyrcameuptohim,andfindingthathehadlosthisway,promisedtogivehimalodgingforthenight,andguidehimoutoftheforestinthemorning.AshewentalongtotheSatyr'scell,theManraisedbothhishandstohismouthandkeptonblowingatthem."Whatdoyoudothatfor?"saidtheSatyr.
"Myhandsarenumbwiththecold,"saidtheMan,"andmybreathwarmsthem."
AfterthistheyarrivedattheSatyr'shome,andsoontheSatyrputasmokingdishofporridgebeforehim.ButwhentheManraisedhisspoontohismouthhebeganblowinguponit."Andwhatdoyoudothatfor?"saidtheSatyr.
"Theporridgeistoohot,andmybreathwillcoolit."
"Outyougo,"saidtheSatyr."Iwillhavenoughttodowithamanwhocanblowhotandcoldwiththesamebreath."
TheGooseWiththeGoldenEggs
OnedayacountrymangoingtothenestofhisGoosefoundthereaneggallyellowandglittering.Whenhetookitupitwasasheavyasleadandhewasgoingtothrowitaway,becausehethoughtatrickhadbeenplayeduponhim.Buthetookithomeonsecondthoughts,andsoonfoundtohisdelightthatitwasaneggofpuregold.Everymorningthesamethingoccurred,andhesoonbecamerichbysellinghiseggs.Ashegrewrichhegrewgreedy;andthinkingtogetatonceallthegoldtheGoosecouldgive,hekilleditandopeneditonlytofindnothing.
Greedofto'erreachesitself.
TheLabourerandtheNightingale
ALabourerlaylisteningtoaNightingale'ssongthroughoutthesummernight.Sopleasedwashewithitthatthenextnighthesetatrapforitandcapturedit."NowthatIhavecaughtthee,"hecried,"thoushaltalwayssingtome."
"WeNightingalesneversinginacage."saidthebird.
"ThenI'lleatthee."saidtheLabourer."Ihavealwaysheardsaythatanightingaleontoastisdaintymorsel."
"Nay,killmenot,"saidtheNightingale;"butletmefree,andI'lltelltheethreethingsfarbetterworththanmypoorbody."TheLabourerlethimloose,andheflewuptoabranchofatreeandsaid:"Neverbelieveacaptive'spromise;that'sonething.Thenagain:Keepwhatyouhave.Andthirdpieceofadviceis:Sorrownotoverwhatislostforever."Thenthesong-birdflewaway.
TheFox,theCock,andtheDog
OnemoonlightnightaFoxwasprowlingaboutafarmer'shen-coop,andsawaCockroostinghighupbeyondhisreach."Goodnews,goodnews!"hecried.
"Why,whatisthat?"saidtheCock.
"KingLionhasdeclaredauniversaltruce.Nobeastmayhurtabirdhenceforth,butallshalldwelltogetherinbrotherlyfriendship."
"Why,thatisgoodnews,"saidtheCock;"andthereIseesomeonecoming,withwhomwecansharethegoodtidings."Andsosayinghecranedhisneckforwardandlookedafaroff.
"Whatisityousee?"saidtheFox.
"Itisonlymymaster'sDogthatiscomingtowardsus.What,goingsosoon?"hecontinued,astheFoxbegantoturnawayassoonashehadheardthenews."WillyounotstopandcongratulatetheDogonthereignofuniversalpeace?"
"Iwouldgladlydoso,"saidtheFox,"butIfearhemaynothaveheardofKingLion'sdecree."
Cunningoftenoutwitsitself.
TheWindandtheSun
TheWindandtheSunweredisputingwhichwasthestronger.Suddenlytheysawatravellercomingdowntheroad,andtheSunsaid:"Iseeawaytodecideourdispute.Whicheverofuscancausethattravellertotakeoffhiscloakshallberegardedasthestronger.Youbegin."SotheSunretiredbehindacloud,andtheWindbegantoblowashardasitcoulduponthetraveller.Buttheharderheblewthemorecloselydidthetravellerwraphiscloakroundhim,tillatlasttheWindhadtogiveupindespair.ThentheSuncameoutandshoneinallhisgloryuponthetraveller,whosoonfoundittoohottowalkwithhiscloakon.
Kindnesseffectsmorethanseverity.
HerculesandtheWaggoner
AWaggonerwasoncedrivingaheavyloadalongaverymuddyway.Atlasthecametoapartoftheroadwherethewheelssankhalf-wayintothemire,andthemorethehorsespulled,thedeepersankthewheels.SotheWaggonerthrewdownhiswhip,andkneltdownandprayedtoHerculestheStrong."OHercules,helpmeinthismyhourofdistress,"quothhe.ButHerculesappearedtohim,andsaid:
"Tut,man,don'tsprawlthere.Getupandputyourshouldertothewheel."
Thegodshelpthemthathelpthemselves.
TheMan,theBoy,andtheDonkey
AManandhissonwereoncegoingwiththeirDonkeytomarket.Astheywerewalkingalongbyitssideacountrymanpassedthemandsaid:"Youfools,whatisaDonkeyforbuttorideupon?"
SotheManputtheBoyontheDonkeyandtheywentontheirway.Butsoontheypassedagroupofmen,oneofwhomsaid:"Seethatlazyyoungster,heletshisfatherwalkwhileherides."
SotheManorderedhisBoytogetoff,andgotonhimself.Buttheyhadn'tgonefarwhentheypassedtwowomen,oneofwhomsaidtotheother:"Shameonthatlazylouttolethispoorlittlesontrudgealong."
Well,theMandidn'tknowwhattodo,butatlasthetookhisBoyupbeforehimontheDonkey.Bythistimetheyhadcometothetown,andthepassers-bybegantojeerandpointatthem.TheManstoppedandaskedwhattheywerescoffingat.Themensaid:"Aren'tyouashamedofyourselfforoverloadingthatpoordonkeyofyoursandyourhulkingson?"
TheManandBoygotoffandtriedtothinkwhattodo.Theythoughtandtheythought,tillatlasttheycutdownapole,tiedthedonkey'sfeettoit,andraisedthepoleandthedonkeytotheirshoulders.Theywentalongamidthelaughterof
allwhometthemtilltheycametoMarketBridge,whentheDonkey,gettingoneofhisfeetloose,kickedoutandcausedtheBoytodrophisendofthepole.InthestruggletheDonkeyfelloverthebridge,andhisfore-feetbeingtiedtogetherhewasdrowned.
"Thatwillteachyou,"saidanoldmanwhohadfollowedthem:
"Pleaseall,andyouwillpleasenone."
TheMiserandHisGold
OnceuponatimetherewasaMiserwhousedtohidehisgoldatthefootofatreeinhisgarden;buteveryweekheusedtogoanddigitupandgloatoverhisgains.Arobber,whohadnoticedthis,wentanddugupthegoldanddecampedwithit.WhentheMisernextcametogloatoverhistreasures,hefoundnothingbuttheemptyhole.Hetorehishair,andraisedsuchanoutcrythatalltheneighbourscamearoundhim,andhetoldthemhowheusedtocomeandvisithisgold."Didyouevertakeanyofitout?"askedoneofthem.
"Nay,"saidhe,"Ionlycametolookatit."
"Thencomeagainandlookatthehole,"saidaneighbour;"itwilldoyoujustasmuchgood."
Wealthunusedmightaswellnotexist.
TheFoxandtheMosquitoes
AFoxaftercrossingarivergotitstailentangledinabush,andcouldnotmove.AnumberofMosquitoesseeingitsplightsettleduponitandenjoyedagoodmealundisturbedbyitstail.AhedgehogstrollingbytookpityupontheFoxandwentuptohim:"Youareinabadway,neighbour,"saidthehedgehog;"shallIrelieveyoubydrivingoffthoseMosquitoeswhoaresuckingyourblood?"
"Thankyou,MasterHedgehog,"saidtheFox,"butIwouldrathernot."
"Why,howisthat?"askedthehedgehog.
"Well,yousee,"wastheanswer,"theseMosquitoeshavehadtheirfill;ifyoudrivetheseaway,otherswillcomewithfreshappetiteandbleedmetodeath."
TheFoxWithoutaTail
IthappenedthataFoxcaughtitstailinatrap,andinstrugglingtoreleasehimselflostallofitbutthestump.Atfirsthewasashamedtoshowhimselfamonghisfellowfoxes.Butatlasthedeterminedtoputabolderfaceuponhismisfortune,andsummonedallthefoxestoageneralmeetingtoconsideraproposalwhichhehadtoplacebeforethem.WhentheyhadassembledtogethertheFoxproposedthattheyshouldalldoawaywiththeirtails.Hepointedouthowinconvenientatailwaswhentheywerepursuedbytheirenemies,thedogs;howmuchitwasinthewaywhentheydesiredtositdownandholdafriendlyconversationwithoneanother.Hefailedtoseeanyadvantageincarryingaboutsuchauselessencumbrance."Thatisallverywell,"saidoneoftheolderfoxes;"butIdonotthinkyouwouldhaverecommendedustodispensewithourchiefornamentifyouhadnothappenedtoloseityourself."
Distrustinterestedadvice.
TheOne-EyedDoe
ADoehadhadthemisfortunetoloseoneofhereyes,andcouldnotseeanyoneapproachingheronthatside.Sotoavoidanydangershealwaysusedtofeedonahighcliffnearthesea,withhersoundeyelookingtowardstheland.Bythismeansshecouldseewheneverthehuntersapproachedheronland,andoftenescapedbythismeans.Butthehuntersfoundoutthatshewasblindofoneeye,andhiringaboatrowedunderthecliffwheresheusedtofeedandshotherfromthesea."Ah,"criedshewithherdyingvoice,
"Youcannotescapeyourfate."
BellingtheCat
Longago,themicehadageneralcounciltoconsiderwhatmeasurestheycouldtaketooutwittheircommonenemy,theCat.Somesaidthis,andsomesaidthat;butatlastayoungmousegotupandsaidhehadaproposaltomake,whichhethoughtwouldmeetthecase."Youwillallagree,"saidhe,"thatourchiefdangerconsistsintheslyandtreacherousmannerinwhichtheenemyapproachesus.Now,ifwecouldreceivesomesignalofherapproach,wecouldeasilyescapefromher.Iventure,therefore,toproposethatasmallbellbeprocured,andattachedbyaribbonroundtheneckoftheCat.Bythismeansweshouldalwaysknowwhenshewasabout,andcouldeasilyretirewhileshewasintheneighbourhood."
Thisproposalmetwithgeneralapplause,untilanoldmousegotupandsaid:"Thatisallverywell,butwhoistobelltheCat?"Themicelookedatoneanotherandnobodyspoke.Thentheoldmousesaid:
"Itiseasytoproposeimpossibleremedies."
TheHareandtheTortoise
TheHarewasonceboastingofhisspeedbeforetheotheranimals."Ihaveneveryetbeenbeaten,"saidhe,"whenIputforthmyfullspeed.Ichallengeanyoneheretoracewithme."
TheTortoisesaidquietly,"Iacceptyourchallenge."
"Thatisagoodjoke,"saidtheHare;"Icoulddanceroundyoualltheway."
"Keepyourboastingtillyou'vebeaten,"answeredtheTortoise."Shallwerace?"
Soacoursewasfixedandastartwasmade.TheHaredartedalmostoutofsightatonce,butsoonstoppedand,toshowhiscontemptfortheTortoise,laydowntohaveanap.TheTortoiseploddedonandploddedon,andwhentheHareawokefromhisnap,hesawtheTortoisejustnearthewinning-postandcouldnotrunup
intimetosavetherace.ThensaidtheTortoise:
"Ploddingwinstherace."
TheOldManandDeath
Anoldlabourer,bentdoublewithageandtoil,wasgatheringsticksinaforest.Atlasthegrewsotiredandhopelessthathethrewdownthebundleofsticks,andcriedout:"Icannotbearthislifeanylonger.Ah,IwishDeathwouldonlycomeandtakeme!"
Ashespoke,Death,agrislyskeleton,appearedandsaidtohim:"Whatwouldstthou,Mortal?Iheardtheecallme."
"Please,sir,"repliedthewoodcutter,"wouldyoukindlyhelpmetoliftthisfaggotofsticksontomyshoulder?"
Wewouldoftenbesorryifourwishesweregratified.
TheHareWithManyFriends
AHarewasverypopularwiththeotherbeastswhoallclaimedtobeherfriends.ButonedaysheheardthehoundsapproachingandhopedtoescapethembytheaidofhermanyFriends.So,shewenttothehorse,andaskedhimtocarryherawayfromthehoundsonhisback.Buthedeclined,statingthathehadimportantworktodoforhismaster."Hefeltsure,"hesaid,"thatallherotherfriendswouldcometoherassistance."Shethenappliedtothebull,andhopedthathewouldrepelthehoundswithhishorns.Thebullreplied:"Iamverysorry,butIhaveanappointmentwithalady;butIfeelsurethatourfriendthegoatwilldowhatyouwant."Thegoat,however,fearedthathisbackmightdohersomeharmifhetookheruponit.Theram,hefeltsure,wastheproperfriendtoapplyto.Soshewenttotheramandtoldhimthecase.Theramreplied:"Anothertime,mydearfriend.Idonotliketointerfereonthepresentoccasion,ashoundshavebeenknowntoeatsheepaswellashares."TheHarethenapplied,asalast
hope,tothecalf,whoregrettedthathewasunabletohelpher,ashedidnotliketotaketheresponsibilityuponhimself,assomanyolderpersonsthanhimselfhaddeclinedthetask.Bythistimethehoundswerequitenear,andtheHaretooktoherheelsandluckilyescaped.
Hethathasmanyfriends,hasnofriends.
TheLioninLove
ALiononcefellinlovewithabeautifulmaidenandproposedmarriagetoherparents.Theoldpeopledidnotknowwhattosay.TheydidnotliketogivetheirdaughtertotheLion,yettheydidnotwishtoenragetheKingofBeasts.Atlastthefathersaid:"WefeelhighlyhonouredbyyourMajesty'sproposal,butyouseeourdaughterisatenderyoungthing,andwefearthatinthevehemenceofyouraffectionyoumightpossiblydohersomeinjury.MightIventuretosuggestthatyourMajestyshouldhaveyourclawsremoved,andyourteethextracted,thenwewouldgladlyconsideryourproposalagain."TheLionwassomuchinlovethathehadhisclawstrimmedandhisbigteethtakenout.Butwhenhecameagaintotheparentsoftheyounggirltheysimplylaughedinhisface,andbadehimdohisworst.
Lovecantamethewildest.
TheBundleofSticks
Anoldmanonthepointofdeathsummonedhissonsaroundhimtogivethemsomepartingadvice.Heorderedhisservantstobringinafaggotofsticks,andsaidtohiseldestson:"Breakit."Thesonstrainedandstrained,butwithallhiseffortswasunabletobreaktheBundle.Theothersonsalsotried,butnoneofthemwassuccessful."Untiethefaggots,"saidthefather,"andeachofyoutakeastick."Whentheyhaddoneso,hecalledouttothem:"Now,break,"andeachstickwaseasilybroken."Youseemymeaning,"saidtheirfather.
Uniongivesstrength.
TheLion,theFox,andtheBeasts
TheLiononcegaveoutthathewassickuntodeathandsummonedtheanimalstocomeandhearhislastWillandTestament.SotheGoatcametotheLion'scave,andstoppedtherelisteningforalongtime.ThenaSheepwentin,andbeforeshecameoutaCalfcameuptoreceivethelastwishesoftheLordoftheBeasts.ButsoontheLionseemedtorecover,andcametothemouthofhiscave,andsawtheFox,whohadbeenwaitingoutsideforsometime."Whydoyounotcometopayyourrespectstome?"saidtheLiontotheFox.
"IbegyourMajesty'spardon,"saidtheFox,"butInoticedthetrackoftheanimalsthathavealreadycometoyou;andwhileIseemanyhoof-marksgoingin,Iseenonecomingout.TilltheanimalsthathaveenteredyourcavecomeoutagainIprefertoremainintheopenair."
Itiseasiertogetintotheenemy'stoilsthanoutagain.
TheAss'sBrains
TheLionandtheFoxwenthuntingtogether.TheLion,ontheadviceoftheFox,sentamessagetotheAss,proposingtomakeanalliancebetweentheirtwofamilies.TheAsscametotheplaceofmeeting,overjoyedattheprospectofaroyalalliance.ButwhenhecametheretheLionsimplypouncedontheAss,andsaidtotheFox:"Hereisourdinnerforto-day.WatchyouherewhileIgoandhaveanap.Woebetideyouifyoutouchmyprey."TheLionwentawayandtheFoxwaited;butfindingthathismasterdidnotreturn,venturedtotakeoutthebrainsoftheAssandatethemup.WhentheLioncamebackhesoonnoticedtheabsenceofthebrains,andaskedtheFoxinaterriblevoice:"Whathaveyoudonewiththebrains?"
"Brains,yourMajesty!ithadnone,oritwouldneverhavefallenintoyourtrap."
Withasalwaysananswerready.
TheEagleandtheArrow
AnEaglewassoaringthroughtheairwhensuddenlyitheardthewhizzofanArrow,andfeltitselfwoundedtodeath.Slowlyitfluttereddowntotheearth,withitslife-bloodpouringoutofit.LookingdownupontheArrowwithwhichithadbeenpierced,itfoundthattheshaftoftheArrowhadbeenfeatheredwithoneofitsownplumes."Alas!"itcried,asitdied,
"Weoftengiveourenemiesthemeansforourowndestruction."
TheMilkmaidandHerPail
PattytheMilkmaidwasgoingtomarketcarryinghermilkinaPailonherhead.Asshewentalongshebegancalculatingwhatshewoulddowiththemoneyshewouldgetforthemilk."I'llbuysomefowlsfromFarmerBrown,"saidshe,"andtheywilllayeggseachmorning,whichIwillselltotheparson'swife.WiththemoneythatIgetfromthesaleoftheseeggsI'llbuymyselfanewdimityfrockandachiphat;andwhenIgotomarket,won'talltheyoungmencomeupandspeaktome!PollyShawwillbethatjealous;butIdon'tcare.Ishalljustlookatherandtossmyheadlikethis.Asshespokeshetossedherheadback,thePailfelloffit,andallthemilkwasspilt.Soshehadtogohomeandtellhermotherwhathadoccurred.
"Ah,mychild,"saidthemother,
"Donotcountyourchickensbeforetheyarehatched."
TheCat-Maiden
Thegodswereoncedisputingwhetheritwaspossibleforalivingbeingtochangeitsnature.Jupitersaid"Yes,"butVenussaid"No."So,totrythequestion,JupiterturnedaCatintoaMaiden,andgavehertoayoungmanforawife.Theweddingwasdulyperformedandtheyoungcouplesatdowntothewedding-feast."See,"saidJupiter,toVenus,"howbecominglyshebehaves.WhocouldtellthatyesterdayshewasbutaCat?Surelyhernatureischanged?"
"Waitaminute,"repliedVenus,andletlooseamouseintotheroom.Nosoonerdidthebrideseethisthanshejumpedupfromherseatandtriedtopounceuponthemouse."Ah,yousee,"saidVenus,
"Naturewillout."
TheHorseandtheAss
AHorseandanAssweretravellingtogether,theHorseprancingalonginitsfinetrappings,theAsscarryingwithdifficultytheheavyweightinitspanniers."IwishIwereyou,"sighedtheAss;"nothingtodoandwellfed,andallthatfineharnessuponyou."Nextday,however,therewasagreatbattle,andtheHorsewaswoundedtodeathinthefinalchargeoftheday.Hisfriend,theAss,happenedtopassbyshortlyafterwardsandfoundhimonthepointofdeath."Iwaswrong,"saidtheAss:
"Betterhumblesecuritythangildeddanger."
TheTrumpeterTakenPrisoner
ATrumpeterduringabattleventuredtooneartheenemyandwascapturedbythem.Theywereabouttoproceedtoputhimtodeathwhenhebeggedthemtohearhispleaformercy."Idonotfight,"saidhe,"andindeedcarrynoweapon;Ionlyblowthistrumpet,andsurelythatcannotharmyou;thenwhyshouldyoukillme?"
"Youmaynotfightyourself,"saidtheothers,"butyouencourageandguideyour
mentothefight."
Wordsmaybedeeds.
TheBuffoonandtheCountryman
AtacountryfairtherewasaBuffoonwhomadeallthepeoplelaughbyimitatingthecriesofvariousanimals.Hefinishedoffbysqueakingsolikeapigthatthespectatorsthoughtthathehadaporkerconcealedabouthim.ButaCountrymanwhostoodbysaid:"Callthatapig'ssqueak!Nothinglikeit.YougivemetilltomorrowandIwillshowyouwhatit'slike."Theaudiencelaughed,butnextday,sureenough,theCountrymanappearedonthestage,andputtinghisheaddownsquealedsohideouslythatthespectatorshissedandthrewstonesathimtomakehimstop."Youfools!"hecried,"seewhatyouhavebeenhissing,"andheldupalittlepigwhoseearhehadbeenpinchingtomakehimutterthesqueals.
Menoftenapplaudanimitationandhisstherealthing.
TheOldWomanandtheWine-Jar
Youmustknowthatsometimesoldwomenlikeaglassofwine.OneofthissortoncefoundaWine-jarlyingintheroad,andeagerlywentuptoithopingtofinditfull.Butwhenshetookitupshefoundthatallthewinehadbeendrunkoutofit.StillshetookalongsniffatthemouthoftheJar."Ah,"shecried,
"Whatmemoriescling'roundtheinstrumentsofourpleasure."
TheFoxandtheGoat
ByanunluckychanceaFoxfellintoadeepwellfromwhichhecouldnotgetout.AGoatpassedbyshortlyafterwards,andaskedtheFoxwhathewasdoing
downthere."Oh,haveyounotheard?"saidtheFox;"thereisgoingtobeagreatdrought,soIjumpeddownhereinordertobesuretohavewaterbyme.Whydon'tyoucomedowntoo?"TheGoatthoughtwellofthisadvice,andjumpeddownintothewell.ButtheFoximmediatelyjumpedonherback,andbyputtinghisfootonherlonghornsmanagedtojumpuptotheedgeofthewell."Good-bye,friend,"saidtheFox,"remembernexttime,
"Nevertrusttheadviceofamanindifficulties."
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