Reading Help Aesop's Fables
A DOE hard pressed by hunters sought refuge in a cave belonging `
` to a Lion. The Lion concealed himself on seeing her approach, `
` but when she was safe within the cave, sprang upon her and tore `
` her to pieces. "Woe is me," exclaimed the Doe, "who have escaped `
` from man, only to throw myself into the mouth of a wild beast?' `
` `
` In avoiding one evil, care must be taken not to fall into `
` another. `
` `
` `
` The Farmer and the Fox `
` `
` A FARMER, who bore a grudge against a Fox for robbing his poultry `
` yard, caught him at last, and being determined to take an ample `
` revenge, tied some rope well soaked in oil to his tail, and set `
` it on fire. The Fox by a strange fatality rushed to the fields `
` of the Farmer who had captured him. It was the time of the wheat `
` harvest; but the Farmer reaped nothing that year and returned `
` home grieving sorely. `
` `
` `
` The Seagull and the Kite `
` `
` A SEAGULL having bolted down too large a fish, burst its deep `
` gullet-bag and lay down on the shore to die. A Kite saw him and `
` exclaimed: "You richly deserve your fate; for a bird of the air `
` has no business to seek its food from the sea." `
` `
` Every man should be content to mind his own business. `
` `
` `
` The Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury `
` `
` A PHILOSOPHER witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, `
` of which the crew and passengers were all drowned. He inveighed `
` against the injustice of Providence, which would for the sake of `
` one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent `
` persons to perish. As he was indulging in these reflections, he `
` found himself surrounded by a whole army of Ants, near whose nest `
` he was standing. One of them climbed up and stung him, and he `
` immediately trampled them all to death with his foot. Mercury `
` presented himself, and striking the Philosopher with his wand, `
` said, "And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the `
` dealings of Providence, who hast thyself in a similar manner `
` treated these poor Ants?' `
` `
` `
` The Mouse and the Bull `
` `
` A BULL was bitten by a Mouse and, angered by the wound, tried to `
` capture him. But the Mouse reached his hole in safety. Though `
` the Bull dug into the walls with his horns, he tired before he `
` could rout out the Mouse, and crouching down, went to sleep `
` outside the hole. The Mouse peeped out, crept furtively up his `
` flank, and again biting him, retreated to his hole. The Bull `
` rising up, and not knowing what to do, was sadly perplexed. At `
` which the Mouse said, "The great do not always prevail. There `
` are times when the small and lowly are the strongest to do `
` mischief." `
` `
` `
` The Lion and the Hare `
` `
` A LION came across a Hare, who was fast asleep. He was just in `
` the act of seizing her, when a fine young Hart trotted by, and he `
` left the Hare to follow him. The Hare, scared by the noise, `
` awoke and scudded away. The Lion was unable after a long chase `
` to catch the Hart, and returned to feed upon the Hare. On `
` finding that the Hare also had run off, he said, "I am rightly `
` served, for having let go of the food that I had in my hand for `
` the chance of obtaining more." `
` `
` `
` The Peasant and the Eagle `
` `
` A PEASANT found an Eagle captured in a trap, and much admiring `
` the bird, set him free. The Eagle did not prove ungrateful to `
` his deliverer, for seeing the Peasant sitting under a wall which `
` was not safe, he flew toward him and with his talons snatched a `
` bundle from his head. When the Peasant rose in pursuit, the `
` Eagle let the bundle fall again. Taking it up, the man returned `
` to the same place, to find that the wall under which he had been `
` sitting had fallen to pieces; and he marveled at the service `
` rendered him by the Eagle. `
` `
` `
` The Image of Mercury and the Carpenter `
` `
` A VERY POOR MAN, a Carpenter by trade, had a wooden image of `
` Mercury, before which he made offerings day by day, and begged `
` the idol to make him rich, but in spite of his entreaties he `
` became poorer and poorer. At last, being very angry, he took his `
` image down from its pedestal and dashed it against the wall. `
` When its head was knocked off, out came a stream of gold, which `
` the Carpenter quickly picked up and said, "Well, I think thou art `
` altogether contradictory and unreasonable; for when I paid you `
` honor, I reaped no benefits: but now that I maltreat you I am `
` loaded with an abundance of riches." `
` `
` `
` The Bull and the Goat `
` `
` A BULL, escaping from a Lion, hid in a cave which some shepherds `
` had recently occupied. As soon as he entered, a He-Goat left in `
` the cave sharply attacked him with his horns. The Bull quietly `
` addressed him: "Butt away as much as you will. I have no fear of `
` you, but of the Lion. Let that monster go away and I will soon `
` let you know what is the respective strength of a Goat and a `
` Bull." `
` `
` It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in `
` distress. `
` `
` `
` The Dancing Monkeys `
` `
` A PRINCE had some Monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally `
` great mimics of men's actions, they showed themselves most apt `
` pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they `
` danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often `
` repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, `
` bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and `
` threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts `
` forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys `
` instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their `
` robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing `
` spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of `
` the audience. `
` `
` The Fox and the Leopard `
` `
` 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 Monkeys and Their Mother `
` `
` THE MONKEY, it is said, has two young ones at each birth. The `
` Mother fondles one and nurtures it with the greatest affection `
` and care, but hates and neglects the other. It happened once `
` that the young one which was caressed and loved was smothered by `
` the too great affection of the Mother, while the despised one was `
` nurtured and reared in spite of the neglect to which it was `
` exposed. `
` `
` The best intentions will not always ensure success. `
` `
` `
` The Oaks and Jupiter `
` `
` THE OAKS presented a complaint to Jupiter, saying, "We bear for `
` no purpose the burden of life, as of all the trees that grow we `
` are the most continually in peril of the axe." Jupiter made `
` answer: "You have only to thank yourselves for the misfortunes to `
` which you are exposed: for if you did not make such excellent `
` pillars and posts, and prove yourselves so serviceable to the `
` carpenters and the farmers, the axe would not so frequently be `
` laid to your roots." `
` `
` `
` The Hare and the Hound `
` `
` A HOUND started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave `
` up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying `
` "The little one is the best runner of the two." The Hound `
` replied, "You do not see the difference between us: I was only `
` running for a dinner, but he for his life." `
` `
` `
` The Traveler and Fortune `
` `
` A TRAVELER wearied from a long journey lay down, overcome with `
` fatigue, on the very brink of a deep well. Just as he was about `
` to fall into the water, Dame Fortune, it is said, appeared to him `
` and waking him from his slumber thus addressed him: "Good Sir, `
` pray wake up: for if you fall into the well, the blame will be `
` thrown on me, and I shall get an ill name among mortals; for I `
` find that men are sure to impute their calamities to me, however `
` much by their own folly they have really brought them on `
` themselves." `
` `
` Everyone is more or less master of his own fate. `
` `
` `
` The Bald Knight `
` `
` A BALD KNIGHT, who wore a wig, went out to hunt. A sudden puff `
` of wind blew off his hat and wig, at which a loud laugh rang `
` forth from his companions. He pulled up his horse, and with `
` great glee joined in the joke by saying, "What a marvel it is `
` that hairs which are not mine should fly from me, when they have `
` forsaken even the man on whose head they grew." `
` `
` `
` The Shepherd and the Dog `
` `
` A SHEPHERD penning his sheep in the fold for the night was about `
` to shut up a wolf with them, when his Dog perceiving the wolf `
`
` to a Lion. The Lion concealed himself on seeing her approach, `
` but when she was safe within the cave, sprang upon her and tore `
` her to pieces. "Woe is me," exclaimed the Doe, "who have escaped `
` from man, only to throw myself into the mouth of a wild beast?' `
` `
` In avoiding one evil, care must be taken not to fall into `
` another. `
` `
` `
` The Farmer and the Fox `
` `
` A FARMER, who bore a grudge against a Fox for robbing his poultry `
` yard, caught him at last, and being determined to take an ample `
` revenge, tied some rope well soaked in oil to his tail, and set `
` it on fire. The Fox by a strange fatality rushed to the fields `
` of the Farmer who had captured him. It was the time of the wheat `
` harvest; but the Farmer reaped nothing that year and returned `
` home grieving sorely. `
` `
` `
` The Seagull and the Kite `
` `
` A SEAGULL having bolted down too large a fish, burst its deep `
` gullet-bag and lay down on the shore to die. A Kite saw him and `
` exclaimed: "You richly deserve your fate; for a bird of the air `
` has no business to seek its food from the sea." `
` `
` Every man should be content to mind his own business. `
` `
` `
` The Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury `
` `
` A PHILOSOPHER witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, `
` of which the crew and passengers were all drowned. He inveighed `
` against the injustice of Providence, which would for the sake of `
` one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent `
` persons to perish. As he was indulging in these reflections, he `
` found himself surrounded by a whole army of Ants, near whose nest `
` he was standing. One of them climbed up and stung him, and he `
` immediately trampled them all to death with his foot. Mercury `
` presented himself, and striking the Philosopher with his wand, `
` said, "And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the `
` dealings of Providence, who hast thyself in a similar manner `
` treated these poor Ants?' `
` `
` `
` The Mouse and the Bull `
` `
` A BULL was bitten by a Mouse and, angered by the wound, tried to `
` capture him. But the Mouse reached his hole in safety. Though `
` the Bull dug into the walls with his horns, he tired before he `
` could rout out the Mouse, and crouching down, went to sleep `
` outside the hole. The Mouse peeped out, crept furtively up his `
` flank, and again biting him, retreated to his hole. The Bull `
` rising up, and not knowing what to do, was sadly perplexed. At `
` which the Mouse said, "The great do not always prevail. There `
` are times when the small and lowly are the strongest to do `
` mischief." `
` `
` `
` The Lion and the Hare `
` `
` A LION came across a Hare, who was fast asleep. He was just in `
` the act of seizing her, when a fine young Hart trotted by, and he `
` left the Hare to follow him. The Hare, scared by the noise, `
` awoke and scudded away. The Lion was unable after a long chase `
` to catch the Hart, and returned to feed upon the Hare. On `
` finding that the Hare also had run off, he said, "I am rightly `
` served, for having let go of the food that I had in my hand for `
` the chance of obtaining more." `
` `
` `
` The Peasant and the Eagle `
` `
` A PEASANT found an Eagle captured in a trap, and much admiring `
` the bird, set him free. The Eagle did not prove ungrateful to `
` his deliverer, for seeing the Peasant sitting under a wall which `
` was not safe, he flew toward him and with his talons snatched a `
` bundle from his head. When the Peasant rose in pursuit, the `
` Eagle let the bundle fall again. Taking it up, the man returned `
` to the same place, to find that the wall under which he had been `
` sitting had fallen to pieces; and he marveled at the service `
` rendered him by the Eagle. `
` `
` `
` The Image of Mercury and the Carpenter `
` `
` A VERY POOR MAN, a Carpenter by trade, had a wooden image of `
` Mercury, before which he made offerings day by day, and begged `
` the idol to make him rich, but in spite of his entreaties he `
` became poorer and poorer. At last, being very angry, he took his `
` image down from its pedestal and dashed it against the wall. `
` When its head was knocked off, out came a stream of gold, which `
` the Carpenter quickly picked up and said, "Well, I think thou art `
` altogether contradictory and unreasonable; for when I paid you `
` honor, I reaped no benefits: but now that I maltreat you I am `
` loaded with an abundance of riches." `
` `
` `
` The Bull and the Goat `
` `
` A BULL, escaping from a Lion, hid in a cave which some shepherds `
` had recently occupied. As soon as he entered, a He-Goat left in `
` the cave sharply attacked him with his horns. The Bull quietly `
` addressed him: "Butt away as much as you will. I have no fear of `
` you, but of the Lion. Let that monster go away and I will soon `
` let you know what is the respective strength of a Goat and a `
` Bull." `
` `
` It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in `
` distress. `
` `
` `
` The Dancing Monkeys `
` `
` A PRINCE had some Monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally `
` great mimics of men's actions, they showed themselves most apt `
` pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they `
` danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often `
` repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, `
` bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and `
` threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts `
` forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys `
` instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their `
` robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing `
` spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of `
` the audience. `
` `
` The Fox and the Leopard `
` `
` 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 Monkeys and Their Mother `
` `
` THE MONKEY, it is said, has two young ones at each birth. The `
` Mother fondles one and nurtures it with the greatest affection `
` and care, but hates and neglects the other. It happened once `
` that the young one which was caressed and loved was smothered by `
` the too great affection of the Mother, while the despised one was `
` nurtured and reared in spite of the neglect to which it was `
` exposed. `
` `
` The best intentions will not always ensure success. `
` `
` `
` The Oaks and Jupiter `
` `
` THE OAKS presented a complaint to Jupiter, saying, "We bear for `
` no purpose the burden of life, as of all the trees that grow we `
` are the most continually in peril of the axe." Jupiter made `
` answer: "You have only to thank yourselves for the misfortunes to `
` which you are exposed: for if you did not make such excellent `
` pillars and posts, and prove yourselves so serviceable to the `
` carpenters and the farmers, the axe would not so frequently be `
` laid to your roots." `
` `
` `
` The Hare and the Hound `
` `
` A HOUND started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave `
` up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying `
` "The little one is the best runner of the two." The Hound `
` replied, "You do not see the difference between us: I was only `
` running for a dinner, but he for his life." `
` `
` `
` The Traveler and Fortune `
` `
` A TRAVELER wearied from a long journey lay down, overcome with `
` fatigue, on the very brink of a deep well. Just as he was about `
` to fall into the water, Dame Fortune, it is said, appeared to him `
` and waking him from his slumber thus addressed him: "Good Sir, `
` pray wake up: for if you fall into the well, the blame will be `
` thrown on me, and I shall get an ill name among mortals; for I `
` find that men are sure to impute their calamities to me, however `
` much by their own folly they have really brought them on `
` themselves." `
` `
` Everyone is more or less master of his own fate. `
` `
` `
` The Bald Knight `
` `
` A BALD KNIGHT, who wore a wig, went out to hunt. A sudden puff `
` of wind blew off his hat and wig, at which a loud laugh rang `
` forth from his companions. He pulled up his horse, and with `
` great glee joined in the joke by saying, "What a marvel it is `
` that hairs which are not mine should fly from me, when they have `
` forsaken even the man on whose head they grew." `
` `
` `
` The Shepherd and the Dog `
` `
` A SHEPHERD penning his sheep in the fold for the night was about `
` to shut up a wolf with them, when his Dog perceiving the wolf `
`