1-21 22-42 The Cock and the Pearl The Frog and the Ox The Wolf and the Lamb Androcles The Dog and the Shadow The Bat, the Birds, and the Beasts The Lion's Share The Hart and the Hunter The Wolf and the Crane The Serpent and the File The Man and the Serpent The Man and the Wood The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse The Dog and the Wolf The Fox and the Crow The Belly and the Members The Sick Lion The Hart in the Ox-Stall The Ass and the Lapdog The Fox and the Grapes The Lion and the Mouse The Horse, Hunter, and Stag The Swallow and the Other Birds The Peacock and Juno The Frogs Desiring a King The Fox and the Lion The Mountains in Labour The Lion and the Statue The Hares and the Frogs The Ant and the Grasshopper The Wolf and the Kid The Tree and the Reed The Woodman and the Serpent The Fox and the Cat The Bald Man and the Fly The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing The Fox and the Stork The Dog in the Manger The Fox and the Mask The Man and the Wooden God The Jay and the Peacock The Fisher 43-62 63-82 The Shepherd's Boy The Miser and His Gold The Young Thief and His Mother The Fox and the Mosquitoes The Man and His Two Wives The Fox Without a Tail The Nurse and the Wolf The One-Eyed Doe The Tortoise and the Birds Belling the Cat The Two Crabs The Hare and the Tortoise The Ass in the Lion's Skin The Old Man and Death The Two Fellows and the Bear The Hare With Many Friends The Two Pots The Lion in Love The Four Oxen and the Lion The Bundle of Sticks The Fisher and the Little Fish The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts Avaricious and Envious The Ass's Brains The Crow and the Pitcher The Eagle and the Arrow The Man and the Satyr The Milkmaid and Her Pail The Goose With the Golden Eggs The Cat-Maiden
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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."
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