The Cock and the Pearl The Frog and the Ox Fables... · 2020. 4. 29. · The Labourer and the Nightingale The Horse and the Ass The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog The Trumpeter Taken

1-2122-42TheCockandthePearlTheFrogandtheOxTheWolfandtheLambAndroclesTheDogandtheShadowTheBat,theBirds,andtheBeastsTheLion'sShareTheHartandtheHunterTheWolfandtheCraneTheSerpentandtheFileTheManandtheSerpentTheManandtheWoodTheTownMouseandtheCountryMouseTheDogandtheWolfTheFoxandtheCrowTheBellyandtheMembersTheSickLionTheHartintheOx-StallTheAssandtheLapdogTheFoxandtheGrapesTheLionandtheMouseTheHorse,Hunter,andStagTheSwallowandtheOtherBirdsThePeacockandJunoTheFrogsDesiringaKingTheFoxandtheLionTheMountainsinLabourTheLionandtheStatueTheHaresandtheFrogsTheAntandtheGrasshopperTheWolfandtheKidTheTreeandtheReedTheWoodmanandtheSerpentTheFoxandtheCatTheBaldManandtheFlyTheWolfinSheep'sClothingTheFoxandtheStorkTheDogintheMangerTheFoxandtheMaskTheManandtheWoodenGodTheJayandthePeacockTheFisher

43-6263-82TheShepherd'sBoyTheMiserandHisGoldTheYoungThiefandHisMotherTheFoxandtheMosquitoesTheManandHisTwoWivesTheFoxWithoutaTailTheNurseandtheWolfTheOne-EyedDoeTheTortoiseandtheBirdsBellingtheCatTheTwoCrabsTheHareandtheTortoiseTheAssintheLion'sSkinTheOldManandDeathTheTwoFellowsandtheBearTheHareWithManyFriendsTheTwoPotsTheLioninLoveTheFourOxenandtheLionTheBundleofSticksTheFisherandtheLittleFishTheLion,theFox,andtheBeastsAvariciousandEnviousTheAss'sBrainsTheCrowandthePitcherTheEagleandtheArrowTheManandtheSatyrTheMilkmaidandHerPailTheGooseWiththeGoldenEggsTheCat-Maiden

TheLabourerandtheNightingaleTheHorseandtheAssTheFox,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;"ifitwasnotyouitwasyourfather;"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,"butyouencourageandguideyourmentothefight."

Wordsmaybedeeds.

TheBuffoonandtheCountryman

AtacountryfairtherewasaBuffoonwhomadeallthepeoplelaughbyimitatingthecriesofvariousanimals.Hefinishedoffbysqueakingsolikeapigthatthespectatorsthoughtthathehadaporkerconcealedabouthim.ButaCountrymanwhostoodbysaid:"Callthatapig'ssqueak!Nothinglikeit.YougivemetilltomorrowandIwillshowyouwhatit'slike."Theaudiencelaughed,butnextday,sureenough,theCountrymanappearedonthestage,andputtinghisheaddownsquealedsohideouslythatthespectatorshissedandthrewstones

athimtomakehimstop."Youfools!"hecried,"seewhatyouhavebeenhissing,"andheldupalittlepigwhoseearhehadbeenpinchingtomakehimutterthesqueals.

Menoftenapplaudanimitationandhisstherealthing.

TheOldWomanandtheWine-Jar

Youmustknowthatsometimesoldwomenlikeaglassofwine.OneofthissortoncefoundaWine-jarlyingintheroad,andeagerlywentuptoithopingtofinditfull.Butwhenshetookitupshefoundthatallthewinehadbeendrunkoutofit.StillshetookalongsniffatthemouthoftheJar."Ah,"shecried,

"Whatmemoriescling'roundtheinstrumentsofourpleasure."

TheFoxandtheGoat

ByanunluckychanceaFoxfellintoadeepwellfromwhichhecouldnotgetout.AGoatpassedbyshortlyafterwards,andaskedtheFoxwhathewasdoingdownthere."Oh,haveyounotheard?"saidtheFox;"thereisgoingtobeagreatdrought,soIjumpeddownhereinordertobesuretohavewaterbyme.Whydon'tyoucomedowntoo?"TheGoatthoughtwellofthisadvice,andjumpeddownintothewell.ButtheFoximmediatelyjumpedonherback,andbyputtinghisfootonherlonghornsmanagedtojumpuptotheedgeofthewell."Good-bye,friend,"saidtheFox,"remembernexttime,

"Nevertrusttheadviceofamanindifficulties."