AESOPICA

Aesopica

tales of a fox

Curated & printed by Maggie Hyde

introductionthe bramblethe catthe cock & the dogthe cranethe crowwho had lost his tailthe goatthe grapesthe hedgehogthe leopardthe lionthe maskthe monkeythe WILD BOARthe woodcutterindexColophon

fables

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iiitales of a fox

Legendary figure Aesop is presumed to have been born around 600 B.C. and is the supposed author of a collection of Greek fables. Various attempts were made in ancient times to establish

him as an actual personage. He was most likely invented to provide an author for fables centering on beasts, so that “a story of Aesop” became synonymous with “fable”.

introduction

1tales of a fox

A Fox was mounting a hedge when he lost his footing and caught hold of a Bramble to save himself. Having pricked and grievously torn the soles of his feet, he

accused the Bramble because, when he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than the hedge itself. The Bramble, interrupting him, said,

But you really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others.

the fox & the bramble

2 tales of a fox

To the selfish all are selfish.

3 tales of a fox

4tales of a fox

A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping its enemies. “I have a whole bag of tricks,” he said, “which contains a

hundred ways of escaping my enemies.” “I have only one,” said the Cat, “but I can generally manage

with that.” Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of hounds

coming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered up a tree and hid herself in the boughs. “This is my plan,” said the Cat. “What are you going to do?”The Fox thought first of one way, then of another, and while

he was debating the hounds came nearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caught up by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen. Miss Puss, who had been looking on, said:Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot

reckon.

the fox & the cat

5 tales of a fox

better safe than sorry.

6 tales of a fox

7tales of a fox

A Fox was prowling about a farmer’s hen-coop one moonlit night, and saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach. “Good news, good news!” he cried.“Why, what is that?” said the Cock.“King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may hurt

a bird henceforth, but all shall dwell together in brotherly friendship.” “Why, that is good news,” said the Cock, “and there I see

someone coming, with whom we can share the good tidings.” And so saying he craned his neck forward and looked afar

off.“What is it you see?” said the Fox.“It is only my master’s Dog that is coming towards us. What,

going so soon?” he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had heard the news. “Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign

of universal peace?”“I would gladly do so,” said the Fox, “but I fear he may not

have heard of King Lion’s decree.”

the fox, the cock & the dog

8 tales of a fox

Cunning often outwits itself.

9 tales of a fox

10tales of a fox

A Fox invited a Crane to supper and provided nothing for his entertainment but some soup made of pulse, which was poured out into a broad flat stone dish. The soup fell out of the long bill of the Crane at every

mouthful, and his vexation at not being able to eat afforded the Fox much amusement. The Crane, in his turn, asked the Fox to sup with him, and

set before her a flagon with a long narrow mouth, so that he could easily insert his neck and enjoy its contents at his leisure. The Fox, unable even to taste it, met with a fitting requital,

after the fashion of her own hospitality.

the fox & the crane

11 tales of a fox

Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

12 tales of a fox

13tales of a fox

A Crow having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. “How handsome is the Crow,” he exclaimed, in the beauty

of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!” This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute the

reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, and thus addressed the Crow:

My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.

the fox & the crow

14 tales of a fox

flatters are not to be trusted.

15 tales of a fox

16tales of a fox

A Fox caught in a trap escaped, but in so doing lost his tail. Thereafter, feeling his life a burden from the shame and ridicule to which he was exposed, he schemed to convince all the other Foxes that being tailless was much more attractive, thus making up for his own deprivation. He assembled a good many Foxes and publicly advised them

to cut off their tails, saying that they would not only look much better without them, but that they would get rid of the weight of the brush, which was a very great inconvenience. One of them interrupting him said:

If you had not yourself lost your tail, my friend, you would not thus counsel us.

the fox who had lost his tail

17 tales of a fox

misery loves company.

18 tales of a fox

19tales of a fox

A Fox one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox

indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped

down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. “If,” said he, “you will place your forefeet upon the wall and

bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards.” The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back.

Steadying himself with the Goat’s horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided him for breaking his promise,

he turned around and cried out, “You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way down.”

the fox & the goat

20 tales of a fox

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

21 tales of a fox

22tales of a fox

A Famished Fox saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied

herself in vain, for she could not reach them. At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and

saying:The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought.

the fox & the grapes

23 tales of a fox

Any fool can despise what he cannot get.

24 tales of a fox

25tales of a fox

A Fox swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of the current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long time very much bruised, sick, and unable to move. A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him. A Hedgehog, passing by, saw his anguish and inquired if he

should drive away the flies that were tormenting him. “By no means,” replied the Fox, “pray do not molest them.” “How is this?” said the Hedgehog, “do you not want to be

rid of them?” “No,” returned the Fox, “for these flies which you see are full

of blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others more hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left.”

the fox & the hedgehog

26 tales of a fox

A needy thief steals more than one who enjoys plenty.

27 tales of a fox

28tales of a fox

The Fox and the Leopard disputed which was the more beautiful of the two. The Leopard exhibited one by one the various spots which

decorated his skin. But the Fox, interrupting him, said,

And how much more beautiful than you am I, who am decorated, not in body, but in mind.

the fox & the leopard

29 tales of a fox

beauty passes, wisdom remains

30 tales of a fox

31tales of a fox

When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he

stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went

straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony.

the fox & the lion

32 tales of a fox

familiarity breeds contempt.

33 tales of a fox

34tales of a fox

A Fox had by some means got into the store-room of a theatre.Suddenly he observed a face glaring down on him and began

to be very frightened; but looking more closely he found it was only a Mask such as actors use to put over their face. “Ah,” said the Fox, “you look very fine; it is a pity you have

not got any brains.”

the fox & the mask

35 tales of a fox

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

36 tales of a fox

37tales of a fox

A Fox and a Monkey were traveling together on the same road. As they journeyed, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. “All these monuments which you see,” said the Monkey,

“are erected in honor of my ancestors, who were in their day freedmen and citizens of great renown.” The Fox replied, “You have chosen a most appropriate subject

for your falsehoods, as I am sure none of your ancestors will be able to contradict you.”

the fox & the monkey

38 tales of a fox

A false tale often betrays itself.

39 tales of a fox

40tales of a fox

A Wild Boar was sharpening his tusks busily against the stump of a tree, when a Fox happened by. Now the Fox was always looking for a chance to make fun of his neighbors. So he made a great show of looking anxiously about, as if in fear of some hidden enemy. But the Boar kept right on with his work.“Why are you doing that?” asked the Fox at last with a grin.

“There isn’t any danger that I can see.”“True enough,” replied the Boar, “but when danger does come

there will not be time for such work as this. My weapons will have to be ready for use then, or I shall suffer for it.”

the fox & the WILD BOAR

41 tales of a fox

Preparedness for war is the best guarantee of peace.

42 tales of a fox

43tales of a fox

A Fox, running before the hounds, came across a Woodcutter felling an oak and begged him to show him a safe hiding place. The Woodcutter advised him to take shelter in his own hut,

so the Fox crept in and hid himself in a corner. The huntsman soon came up with his hounds and inquired

of the Woodcutter if he had seen the Fox. He declared that he had not seen him, and yet pointed, all

the time he was speaking, to the hut where the Fox lay hidden. The huntsman took no notice of the signs, but believing his

word, hastened forward in the chase. As soon as they were well away, the Fox departed without

taking any notice of the Woodcutter; whereon he called to him and reproached him, saying, “You ungrateful fellow, you owe your life to me, and yet you leave me without a word of thanks.” The Fox replied, “Indeed, I should have thanked you fervently

if your deeds had been as good as your words, and if your hands had not been traitors to your speech.”

the fox & the woodcutter

44 tales of a fox

There is as much malice in a wink as in a word.

45 tales of a fox

index

46 tales of a fox

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47tales of a fox

colophon

Aesopica was typeset by Maggie Hyde and printed at Southern Utah University on a Vandercook Press. This is the electronic version of Aesopica, which was typeset and inked by hand on Mohawk Superfine 80 lb. paper with Van Son rubber inks.