Reading Help Aesop's Fables
to shut up a wolf with them, when his Dog perceiving the wolf `
` said, "Master, how can you expect the sheep to be safe if you `
` admit a wolf into the fold?' `
` `
` `
` The Lamp `
` `
` A LAMP, soaked with too much oil and flaring brightly, boasted `
` that it gave more light than the sun. Then a sudden puff of wind `
` arose, and the Lamp was immediately extinguished. Its owner lit `
` it again, and said: "Boast no more, but henceforth be content to `
` give thy light in silence. Know that not even the stars need to `
` be relit" `
` `
` `
` The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass `
` `
` THE LION, the Fox and the Ass entered into an agreement to assist `
` each other in the chase. Having secured a large booty, the Lion `
` on their return from the forest asked the Ass to allot his due `
` portion to each of the three partners in the treaty. The Ass `
` carefully divided the spoil into three equal shares and modestly `
` requested the two others to make the first choice. The Lion, `
` bursting out into a great rage, devoured the Ass. Then he `
` requested the Fox to do him the favor to make a division. The `
` Fox accumulated all that they had killed into one large heap and `
` left to himself the smallest possible morsel. The Lion said, `
` "Who has taught you, my very excellent fellow, the art of `
` division? You are perfect to a fraction." He replied, "I learned `
` it from the Ass, by witnessing his fate." `
` `
` Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others. `
` `
` `
` The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter `
` `
` A BULL finding a lion's cub asleep gored him to death with his `
` horns. The Lioness came up, and bitterly lamented the death of `
` her whelp. A wild-boar Hunter, seeing her distress, stood at a `
` distance and said to her, "Think how many men there are who have `
` reason to lament the loss of their children, whose deaths have `
` been caused by you." `
` `
` `
` The Oak and the Woodcutters `
` `
` THE WOODCUTTER cut down a Mountain Oak and split it in pieces, `
` making wedges of its own branches for dividing the trunk. The `
` Oak said with a sigh, "I do not care about the blows of the axe `
` aimed at my roots, but I do grieve at being torn in pieces by `
` these wedges made from my own branches." `
` `
` Misfortunes springing from ourselves are the hardest to bear. `
` `
` `
` The Hen and the Golden Eggs `
` `
` A COTTAGER and his wife had a Hen that laid a golden egg every `
` day. They supposed that the Hen must contain a great lump of `
` gold in its inside, and in order to get the gold they killed it. `
` Having done so, they found to their surprise that the Hen `
` differed in no respect from their other hens. The foolish pair, `
` thus hoping to become rich all at once, deprived themselves of `
` the gain of which they were assured day by day. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Frogs `
` `
` AN ASS, carrying a load of wood, passed through a pond. As he `
` was crossing through the water he lost his footing, stumbled and `
` fell, and not being able to rise on account of his load, groaned `
` heavily. Some Frogs frequenting the pool heard his lamentation, `
` and said, "What would you do if you had to live here always as we `
` do, when you make such a fuss about a mere fall into the water?" `
` `
` `
` Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do `
` large misfortunes. `
` `
` `
` The Crow and the Raven `
` `
` A CROW was jealous of the Raven, because he was considered a bird `
` of good omen and always attracted the attention of men, who noted `
` by his flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing `
` some travelers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree, and `
` perching herself on one of the branches, cawed as loudly as she `
` could. The travelers turned towards the sound and wondered what `
` it foreboded, when one of them said to his companion, "Let us `
` proceed on our journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a `
` crow, and her cry, you know, is no omen." `
` `
` Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only `
` make themselves ridiculous. `
` `
` `
` The Trees and the Axe `
` `
` A MAN came into a forest and asked the Trees to provide him a `
` handle for his axe. The Trees consented to his request and gave `
` him a young ash-tree. No sooner had the man fitted a new handle `
` to his axe from it, than he began to use it and quickly felled `
` with his strokes the noblest giants of the forest. An old oak, `
` lamenting when too late the destruction of his companions, said `
` to a neighboring cedar, "The first step has lost us all. If we `
` had not given up the rights of the ash, we might yet have `
` retained our own privileges and have stood for ages." `
` `
` `
` The Crab and the Fox `
` `
` A CRAB, forsaking the seashore, chose a neighboring green meadow `
` as its feeding ground. A Fox came across him, and being very `
` hungry ate him up. Just as he was on the point of being eaten, `
` the Crab said, "I well deserve my fate, for what business had I `
` on the land, when by my nature and habits I am only adapted for `
` the sea?' `
` `
` Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness. `
` `
` `
` The Woman and Her Hen `
` `
` A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She `
` often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of `
` one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen `
` a double allowance of barley. From that day the Hen became fat `
` and sleek, and never once laid another egg. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Old Shepherd `
` `
` A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all `
` of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to `
` fly with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal `
` lazily replied, "Why should I, pray? Do you think it likely the `
` conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers?' "No," rejoined `
` the Shepherd. "Then," said the Ass, "as long as I carry the `
` panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?' `
` `
` In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name `
` of their master. `
` `
` `
` The Kites and the Swans `
` `
` TEE KITES of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege `
` of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so `
` enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in `
` trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. `
` `
` The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of `
` present blessings. `
` `
` `
` The Wolves and the Sheepdogs `
` `
` THE WOLVES thus addressed the Sheepdogs: "Why should you, who are `
` like us in so many things, not be entirely of one mind with us, `
` and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in one `
` point only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave `
` for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and `
` put collars on your necks. They make you also guard their sheep, `
` and while they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If `
` you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the sheep, and we `
` will enjoy them in common, till we all are surfeited." The Dogs `
` listened favorably to these proposals, and, entering the den of `
` the Wolves, they were set upon and torn to pieces. `
` `
` `
` The Hares and the Foxes `
` `
` THE HARES waged war with the Eagles, and called upon the Foxes to `
` help them. They replied, "We would willingly have helped you, if `
` we had not known who you were, and with whom you were fighting." `
` `
` Count the cost before you commit yourselves. `
` `
` `
` The Bowman and Lion `
` `
` A VERY SKILLFUL BOWMAN went to the mountains in search of game, `
` but all the beasts of the forest fled at his approach. The Lion `
` alone challenged him to combat. The Bowman immediately shot out `
` an arrow and said to the Lion: "I send thee my messenger, that `
` from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail `
` thee." The wounded Lion rushed away in great fear, and when a Fox `
` who had seen it all happen told him to be of good courage and not `
` to back off at the first attack he replied: "You counsel me in `
` vain; for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide `
` the attack of the man himself?' `
` `
` Be on guard against men who can strike from a distance. `
` `
` `
` The Camel `
` `
` WHEN MAN first saw the Camel, he was so frightened at his vast `
` size that he ran away. After a time, perceiving the meekness and `
` gentleness of the beast's temper, he summoned courage enough to `
` approach him. Soon afterwards, observing that he was an animal `
`
` said, "Master, how can you expect the sheep to be safe if you `
` admit a wolf into the fold?' `
` `
` `
` The Lamp `
` `
` A LAMP, soaked with too much oil and flaring brightly, boasted `
` that it gave more light than the sun. Then a sudden puff of wind `
` arose, and the Lamp was immediately extinguished. Its owner lit `
` it again, and said: "Boast no more, but henceforth be content to `
` give thy light in silence. Know that not even the stars need to `
` be relit" `
` `
` `
` The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass `
` `
` THE LION, the Fox and the Ass entered into an agreement to assist `
` each other in the chase. Having secured a large booty, the Lion `
` on their return from the forest asked the Ass to allot his due `
` portion to each of the three partners in the treaty. The Ass `
` carefully divided the spoil into three equal shares and modestly `
` requested the two others to make the first choice. The Lion, `
` bursting out into a great rage, devoured the Ass. Then he `
` requested the Fox to do him the favor to make a division. The `
` Fox accumulated all that they had killed into one large heap and `
` left to himself the smallest possible morsel. The Lion said, `
` "Who has taught you, my very excellent fellow, the art of `
` division? You are perfect to a fraction." He replied, "I learned `
` it from the Ass, by witnessing his fate." `
` `
` Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others. `
` `
` `
` The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter `
` `
` A BULL finding a lion's cub asleep gored him to death with his `
` horns. The Lioness came up, and bitterly lamented the death of `
` her whelp. A wild-boar Hunter, seeing her distress, stood at a `
` distance and said to her, "Think how many men there are who have `
` reason to lament the loss of their children, whose deaths have `
` been caused by you." `
` `
` `
` The Oak and the Woodcutters `
` `
` THE WOODCUTTER cut down a Mountain Oak and split it in pieces, `
` making wedges of its own branches for dividing the trunk. The `
` Oak said with a sigh, "I do not care about the blows of the axe `
` aimed at my roots, but I do grieve at being torn in pieces by `
` these wedges made from my own branches." `
` `
` Misfortunes springing from ourselves are the hardest to bear. `
` `
` `
` The Hen and the Golden Eggs `
` `
` A COTTAGER and his wife had a Hen that laid a golden egg every `
` day. They supposed that the Hen must contain a great lump of `
` gold in its inside, and in order to get the gold they killed it. `
` Having done so, they found to their surprise that the Hen `
` differed in no respect from their other hens. The foolish pair, `
` thus hoping to become rich all at once, deprived themselves of `
` the gain of which they were assured day by day. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Frogs `
` `
` AN ASS, carrying a load of wood, passed through a pond. As he `
` was crossing through the water he lost his footing, stumbled and `
` fell, and not being able to rise on account of his load, groaned `
` heavily. Some Frogs frequenting the pool heard his lamentation, `
` and said, "What would you do if you had to live here always as we `
` do, when you make such a fuss about a mere fall into the water?" `
` `
` `
` Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do `
` large misfortunes. `
` `
` `
` The Crow and the Raven `
` `
` A CROW was jealous of the Raven, because he was considered a bird `
` of good omen and always attracted the attention of men, who noted `
` by his flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing `
` some travelers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree, and `
` perching herself on one of the branches, cawed as loudly as she `
` could. The travelers turned towards the sound and wondered what `
` it foreboded, when one of them said to his companion, "Let us `
` proceed on our journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a `
` crow, and her cry, you know, is no omen." `
` `
` Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only `
` make themselves ridiculous. `
` `
` `
` The Trees and the Axe `
` `
` A MAN came into a forest and asked the Trees to provide him a `
` handle for his axe. The Trees consented to his request and gave `
` him a young ash-tree. No sooner had the man fitted a new handle `
` to his axe from it, than he began to use it and quickly felled `
` with his strokes the noblest giants of the forest. An old oak, `
` lamenting when too late the destruction of his companions, said `
` to a neighboring cedar, "The first step has lost us all. If we `
` had not given up the rights of the ash, we might yet have `
` retained our own privileges and have stood for ages." `
` `
` `
` The Crab and the Fox `
` `
` A CRAB, forsaking the seashore, chose a neighboring green meadow `
` as its feeding ground. A Fox came across him, and being very `
` hungry ate him up. Just as he was on the point of being eaten, `
` the Crab said, "I well deserve my fate, for what business had I `
` on the land, when by my nature and habits I am only adapted for `
` the sea?' `
` `
` Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness. `
` `
` `
` The Woman and Her Hen `
` `
` A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She `
` often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of `
` one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen `
` a double allowance of barley. From that day the Hen became fat `
` and sleek, and never once laid another egg. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Old Shepherd `
` `
` A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all `
` of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to `
` fly with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal `
` lazily replied, "Why should I, pray? Do you think it likely the `
` conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers?' "No," rejoined `
` the Shepherd. "Then," said the Ass, "as long as I carry the `
` panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?' `
` `
` In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name `
` of their master. `
` `
` `
` The Kites and the Swans `
` `
` TEE KITES of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege `
` of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so `
` enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in `
` trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. `
` `
` The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of `
` present blessings. `
` `
` `
` The Wolves and the Sheepdogs `
` `
` THE WOLVES thus addressed the Sheepdogs: "Why should you, who are `
` like us in so many things, not be entirely of one mind with us, `
` and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in one `
` point only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave `
` for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and `
` put collars on your necks. They make you also guard their sheep, `
` and while they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If `
` you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the sheep, and we `
` will enjoy them in common, till we all are surfeited." The Dogs `
` listened favorably to these proposals, and, entering the den of `
` the Wolves, they were set upon and torn to pieces. `
` `
` `
` The Hares and the Foxes `
` `
` THE HARES waged war with the Eagles, and called upon the Foxes to `
` help them. They replied, "We would willingly have helped you, if `
` we had not known who you were, and with whom you were fighting." `
` `
` Count the cost before you commit yourselves. `
` `
` `
` The Bowman and Lion `
` `
` A VERY SKILLFUL BOWMAN went to the mountains in search of game, `
` but all the beasts of the forest fled at his approach. The Lion `
` alone challenged him to combat. The Bowman immediately shot out `
` an arrow and said to the Lion: "I send thee my messenger, that `
` from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail `
` thee." The wounded Lion rushed away in great fear, and when a Fox `
` who had seen it all happen told him to be of good courage and not `
` to back off at the first attack he replied: "You counsel me in `
` vain; for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide `
` the attack of the man himself?' `
` `
` Be on guard against men who can strike from a distance. `
` `
` `
` The Camel `
` `
` WHEN MAN first saw the Camel, he was so frightened at his vast `
` size that he ran away. After a time, perceiving the meekness and `
` gentleness of the beast's temper, he summoned courage enough to `
` approach him. Soon afterwards, observing that he was an animal `
`