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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop's Fables, by Aesop This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: Aesop's Fables Author: Aesop Posting Date: December 18, 2011 [EBook #28] Release Date: March 8, 1992 Last Updated: March 15, 2002 Language: English *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AESOP'S FABLES *** ****************************************************************** EBOOK (#30) WAS ONE OF PROJECT GUTENBERG'S EARLYFILES PRODUCED AT A TIME WHEN PROOFING METHODS AND TOOLS WERE NOT WELL DEVELOPED. THERE IS AN IMPROVED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAYBE VIEWED AT EBOOK #18732 ****************************************************************** AESOP'S FABLES (82 Fables) From The PaperLess Readers Club, Houston (713) 977-9505 (BBS) Voice/Fax (713) 977-1719 1-21 22-42

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Page 1: The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop's Fables, by AesopThe Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop's Fables, by Aesop This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost

TheProjectGutenbergEBookofAesop'sFables,byAesop

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net

Title:Aesop'sFables

Author:Aesop

PostingDate:December18,2011[EBook#28]ReleaseDate:March8,1992LastUpdated:March15,2002

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKAESOP'SFABLES***

**********************************************************************EBOOK(#30)WASONEOFPROJECTGUTENBERG'SEARLYFILESPRODUCEDATATIMEWHENPROOFINGMETHODSANDTOOLSWERENOTWELLDEVELOPED.THEREISANIMPROVEDEDITIONOFTHISTITLEWHICHMAYBEVIEWEDATEBOOK#18732**********************************************************************

AESOP'SFABLES(82Fables)

FromThePaperLessReadersClub,Houston(713)977-9505(BBS)Voice/Fax(713)977-1719

1-2122-42

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TheCockandthePearlTheFrogandtheOxTheWolfandtheLambAndroclesTheDogandtheShadowTheBat,theBirds,andtheBeastsTheLion'sShareTheHartandtheHunterTheWolfandtheCraneTheSerpentandtheFileTheManandtheSerpentTheManandtheWoodTheTownMouseandtheCountryMouseTheDogandtheWolfTheFoxandtheCrowTheBellyandtheMembersTheSickLionTheHartintheOx-StallTheAssandtheLapdogTheFoxandtheGrapesTheLionandtheMouseTheHorse,Hunter,andStagTheSwallowandtheOtherBirdsThePeacockandJunoTheFrogsDesiringaKingTheFoxandtheLionTheMountainsinLabourTheLionandtheStatueTheHaresandtheFrogsTheAntandtheGrasshopperTheWolfandtheKidTheTreeandtheReedTheWoodmanandtheSerpentTheFoxandtheCatTheBaldManandtheFlyTheWolfinSheep'sClothingTheFoxandtheStorkTheDogintheMangerTheFoxandtheMaskTheManandtheWoodenGodTheJayandthePeacockTheFisher

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

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TheFox,theCock,andtheDogTheTrumpeterTakenPrisonerTheWindandtheSunTheBuffoonandtheCountrymanHerculesandtheWaggonerTheOldWomanandtheWine-JarTheMan,theBoy,andtheDonkeyTheFoxandtheGoat

Aesop'sFables

TheCockandthePearl

Acockwasoncestruttingupanddownthefarmyardamongthehenswhensuddenlyheespiedsomethingshinningamidthestraw."Ho!ho!"quothhe,"that'sforme,"andsoonrooteditoutfrombeneaththestraw.WhatdiditturnouttobebutaPearlthatbysomechancehadbeenlostintheyard?"Youmaybeatreasure,"quothMasterCock,"tomenthatprizeyou,butformeIwouldratherhaveasinglebarley-cornthanapeckofpearls."

Preciousthingsareforthosethatcanprizethem.

TheWolfandtheLamb

OnceuponatimeaWolfwaslappingataspringonahillside,when,lookingup,whatshouldheseebutaLambjustbeginningtodrinkalittlelowerdown."There'smysupper,"thoughthe,"ifonlyIcanfindsomeexcusetoseizeit."ThenhecalledouttotheLamb,"HowdareyoumuddlethewaterfromwhichIamdrinking?"

"Nay,master,nay,"saidLambikin;"ifthewaterbemuddyupthere,Icannotbethecauseofit,foritrunsdownfromyoutome."

"Well,then,"saidtheWolf,"whydidyoucallmebadnamesthistimelastyear?"

"Thatcannotbe,"saidtheLamb;"Iamonlysixmonthsold."

"Idon'tcare,"snarledtheWolf;"ifitwasnotyouitwas

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yourfather;"andwiththatherusheduponthepoorlittleLamband.WARRAWARRAWARRAWARRAWARRA.ateherallup.Butbeforeshediedshegaspedout."Anyexcusewillserveatyrant."

TheDogandtheShadow

IthappenedthataDoghadgotapieceofmeatandwascarryingithomeinhismouthtoeatitinpeace.Nowonhiswayhomehehadtocrossaplanklyingacrossarunningbrook.Ashecrossed,helookeddownandsawhisownshadowreflectedinthewaterbeneath.Thinkingitwasanotherdogwithanotherpieceofmeat,hemadeuphismindtohavethatalso.Sohemadeasnapattheshadowinthewater,butasheopenedhismouththepieceofmeatfellout,droppedintothewaterandwasneverseenmore.

Bewarelestyoulosethesubstancebygraspingattheshadow.

TheLion'sShare

TheLionwentoncea-huntingalongwiththeFox,theJackal,andtheWolf.TheyhuntedandtheyhuntedtillatlasttheysurprisedaStag,andsoontookitslife.Thencamethequestionhowthespoilshouldbedivided."QuartermethisStag,"roaredtheLion;sotheotheranimalsskinneditandcutitintofourparts.ThentheLiontookhisstandinfrontofthecarcassandpronouncedjudgment:ThefirstquarterisformeinmycapacityasKingofBeasts;thesecondismineasarbiter;anothersharecomestomeformypartinthechase;andasforthefourthquarter,well,asforthat,Ishouldliketoseewhichofyouwilldaretolayapawuponit."

"Humph,"grumbledtheFoxashewalkedawaywithhistailbetweenhislegs;buthespokeinalowgrowl."Youmaysharethelaboursofthegreat,butyouwillnotsharethespoil."

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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.

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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."

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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:

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"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

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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

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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."

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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."

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"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.

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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.

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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

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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."

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"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."

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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

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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

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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.

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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."

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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

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Thegodswereoncedisputingwhetheritwaspossibleforalivingbeingtochangeitsnature.Jupitersaid"Yes,"butVenussaid"No."So,totrythequestion,JupiterturnedaCatintoaMaiden,andgavehertoayoungmanforawife.Theweddingwasdulyperformedandtheyoungcouplesatdowntothewedding-feast."See,"saidJupiter,toVenus,"howbecominglyshebehaves.WhocouldtellthatyesterdayshewasbutaCat?Surelyhernatureischanged?"

"Waitaminute,"repliedVenus,andletlooseamouseintotheroom.Nosoonerdidthebrideseethisthanshejumpedupfromherseatandtriedtopounceuponthemouse."Ah,yousee,"saidVenus,

"Naturewillout."

TheHorseandtheAss

AHorseandanAssweretravellingtogether,theHorseprancingalonginitsfinetrappings,theAsscarryingwithdifficultytheheavyweightinitspanniers."IwishIwereyou,"sighedtheAss;"nothingtodoandwellfed,andallthatfineharnessuponyou."Nextday,however,therewasagreatbattle,andtheHorsewaswoundedtodeathinthefinalchargeoftheday.Hisfriend,theAss,happenedtopassbyshortlyafterwardsandfoundhimonthepointofdeath."Iwaswrong,"saidtheAss:

"Betterhumblesecuritythangildeddanger."

TheTrumpeterTakenPrisoner

ATrumpeterduringabattleventuredtooneartheenemyandwascapturedbythem.Theywereabouttoproceedtoputhimtodeathwhenhebeggedthemtohearhispleaformercy."Idonotfight,"saidhe,"andindeedcarrynoweapon;Ionlyblowthistrumpet,andsurelythatcannotharmyou;thenwhyshouldyoukillme?"

"Youmaynotfightyourself,"saidtheothers,"butyouencourageandguideyour

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mentothefight."

Wordsmaybedeeds.

TheBuffoonandtheCountryman

AtacountryfairtherewasaBuffoonwhomadeallthepeoplelaughbyimitatingthecriesofvariousanimals.Hefinishedoffbysqueakingsolikeapigthatthespectatorsthoughtthathehadaporkerconcealedabouthim.ButaCountrymanwhostoodbysaid:"Callthatapig'ssqueak!Nothinglikeit.YougivemetilltomorrowandIwillshowyouwhatit'slike."Theaudiencelaughed,butnextday,sureenough,theCountrymanappearedonthestage,andputtinghisheaddownsquealedsohideouslythatthespectatorshissedandthrewstonesathimtomakehimstop."Youfools!"hecried,"seewhatyouhavebeenhissing,"andheldupalittlepigwhoseearhehadbeenpinchingtomakehimutterthesqueals.

Menoftenapplaudanimitationandhisstherealthing.

TheOldWomanandtheWine-Jar

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

"Whatmemoriescling'roundtheinstrumentsofourpleasure."

TheFoxandtheGoat

ByanunluckychanceaFoxfellintoadeepwellfromwhichhecouldnotgetout.AGoatpassedbyshortlyafterwards,andaskedtheFoxwhathewasdoing

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

"Nevertrusttheadviceofamanindifficulties."

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