Reading Help Aesop's Fables
approach him. Soon afterwards, observing that he was an animal `
` altogether deficient in spirit, he assumed such boldness as to `
` put a bridle in his mouth, and to let a child drive him. `
` `
` Use serves to overcome dread. `
` `
` `
` The Wasp and the Snake `
` `
` A WASP seated himself upon the head of a Snake and, striking him `
` unceasingly with his stings, wounded him to death. The Snake, `
` being in great torment and not knowing how to rid himself of his `
` enemy, saw a wagon heavily laden with wood, and went and `
` purposely placed his head under the wheels, saying, "At least my `
` enemy and I shall perish together." `
` `
` `
` The Dog and the Hare `
` `
` A HOUND having started a Hare on the hillside pursued her for `
` some distance, at one time biting her with his teeth as if he `
` would take her life, and at another fawning upon her, as if in `
` play with another dog. The Hare said to him, "I wish you would `
` act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your true colors. If `
` you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do `
` you fawn on me?' `
` `
` No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or `
` distrust him. `
` `
` `
` The Bull and the Calf `
` `
` A BULL was striving with all his might to squeeze himself through `
` a narrow passage which led to his stall. A young Calf came up, `
` and offered to go before and show him the way by which he could `
` manage to pass. "Save yourself the trouble," said the Bull; "I `
` knew that way long before you were born." `
` `
` `
` The Stag, the Wolf, and the Sheep `
` `
` A STAG asked a Sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, and said `
` that the Wolf would be his surety. The Sheep, fearing some fraud `
` was intended, excused herself, saying, "The Wolf is accustomed to `
` seize what he wants and to run off; and you, too, can quickly `
` outstrip me in your rapid flight. How then shall I be able to `
` find you, when the day of payment comes?' `
` `
` Two blacks do not make one white. `
` `
` `
` The Peacock and the Crane `
` `
` A PEACOCK spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed `
` by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, "I am `
` robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the `
` rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings." `
` "True," replied the Crane; "but I soar to the heights of heaven `
` and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a `
` cock, among the birds of the dunghill." `
` `
` Fine feathers don't make fine birds. `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Hedgehog `
` `
` 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 Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow `
` `
` AN EAGLE made her nest at the top of a lofty oak; a Cat, having `
` found a convenient hole, moved into the middle of the trunk; and `
` a Wild Sow, with her young, took shelter in a hollow at its foot. `
` The Cat cunningly resolved to destroy this chance-made colony. `
` To carry out her design, she climbed to the nest of the Eagle, `
` and said, "Destruction is preparing for you, and for me too, `
` unfortunately. The Wild Sow, whom you see daily digging up the `
` earth, wishes to uproot the oak, so she may on its fall seize our `
` families as food for her young." Having thus frightened the Eagle `
` out of her senses, she crept down to the cave of the Sow, and `
` said, "Your children are in great danger; for as soon as you go `
` out with your litter to find food, the Eagle is prepared to `
` pounce upon one of your little pigs." Having instilled these `
` fears into the Sow, she went and pretended to hide herself in the `
` hollow of the tree. When night came she went forth with silent `
` foot and obtained food for herself and her kittens, but feigning `
` to be afraid, she kept a lookout all through the day. Meanwhile, `
` the Eagle, full of fear of the Sow, sat still on the branches, `
` and the Sow, terrified by the Eagle, did not dare to go out from `
` her cave. And thus they both, along with their families, `
` perished from hunger, and afforded ample provision for the Cat `
` and her kittens. `
` `
` `
` The Thief and the Innkeeper `
` `
` A THIEF hired a room in a tavern and stayed a while in the hope `
` of stealing something which should enable him to pay his `
` reckoning. When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the `
` Innkeeper dressed in a new and handsome coat and sitting before `
` his door. The Thief sat down beside him and talked with him. As `
` the conversation began to flag, the Thief yawned terribly and at `
` the same time howled like a wolf. The Innkeeper said, "Why do `
` you howl so fearfully?' "I will tell you," said the Thief, "but `
` first let me ask you to hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to `
` pieces. I know not, sir, when I got this habit of yawning, nor `
` whether these attacks of howling were inflicted on me as a `
` judgment for my crimes, or for any other cause; but this I do `
` know, that when I yawn for the third time, I actually turn into a `
` wolf and attack men." With this speech he commenced a second fit `
` of yawning and again howled like a wolf, as he had at first. The `
` Innkeeper. hearing his tale and believing what he said, became `
` greatly alarmed and, rising from his seat, attempted to run away. `
` The Thief laid hold of his coat and entreated him to stop, `
` saying, "Pray wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear `
` them to pieces in my fury, when I turn into a wolf." At the same `
` moment he yawned the third time and set up a terrible howl. The `
` Innkeeper, frightened lest he should be attacked, left his new `
` coat in the Thief's hand and ran as fast as he could into the inn `
` for safety. The Thief made off with the coat and did not return `
` again to the inn. `
` `
` Every tale is not to be believed. `
` `
` `
` The Mule `
` `
` A MULE, frolicsome from lack of work and from too much corn, `
` galloped about in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself: `
` "My father surely was a high-mettled racer, and I am his own `
` child in speed and spirit." On the next day, being driven a long `
` journey, and feeling very wearied, he exclaimed in a disconsolate `
` tone: "I must have made a mistake; my father, after all, could `
` have been only an ass." `
` `
` `
` The Hart and the Vine `
` `
` A HART, hard pressed in the chase, hid himself beneath the large `
` leaves of a Vine. The huntsmen, in their haste, overshot the `
` place of his concealment. Supposing all danger to have passed, `
` the Hart began to nibble the tendrils of the Vine. One of the `
` huntsmen, attracted by the rustling of the leaves, looked back, `
` and seeing the Hart, shot an arrow from his bow and struck it. `
` The Hart, at the point of death, groaned: "I am rightly served, `
` for I should not have maltreated the Vine that saved me." `
` `
` `
` The Serpent and the Eagle `
` `
` A SERPENT and an Eagle were struggling with each other in deadly `
` conflict. The Serpent had the advantage, and was about to `
` strangle the bird. A countryman saw them, and running up, loosed `
` the coil of the Serpent and let the Eagle go free. The Serpent, `
` irritated at the escape of his prey, injected his poison into the `
` drinking horn of the countryman. The rustic, ignorant of his `
` danger, was about to drink, when the Eagle struck his hand with `
` his wing, and, seizing the drinking horn in his talons, carried `
` it aloft. `
` `
` `
` The Crow and the Pitcher `
` `
` A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find `
` water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he `
` discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he `
` could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think `
` of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last `
` he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them `
` one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the `
` water within his reach and thus saved his life. `
` `
` Necessity is the mother of invention. `
` `
` `
` The Two Frogs `
` `
` TWO FROGS were neighbors. One inhabited a deep pond, far removed `
` from public view; the other lived in a gully containing little `
` water, and traversed by a country road. The Frog that lived in `
` the pond warned his friend to change his residence and entreated `
` him to come and live with him, saying that he would enjoy greater `
` safety from danger and more abundant food. The other refused, `
` saying that he felt it so very hard to leave a place to which he `
` had become accustomed. A few days afterwards a heavy wagon `
` passed through the gully and crushed him to death under its `
` wheels. `
` `
`
` altogether deficient in spirit, he assumed such boldness as to `
` put a bridle in his mouth, and to let a child drive him. `
` `
` Use serves to overcome dread. `
` `
` `
` The Wasp and the Snake `
` `
` A WASP seated himself upon the head of a Snake and, striking him `
` unceasingly with his stings, wounded him to death. The Snake, `
` being in great torment and not knowing how to rid himself of his `
` enemy, saw a wagon heavily laden with wood, and went and `
` purposely placed his head under the wheels, saying, "At least my `
` enemy and I shall perish together." `
` `
` `
` The Dog and the Hare `
` `
` A HOUND having started a Hare on the hillside pursued her for `
` some distance, at one time biting her with his teeth as if he `
` would take her life, and at another fawning upon her, as if in `
` play with another dog. The Hare said to him, "I wish you would `
` act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your true colors. If `
` you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do `
` you fawn on me?' `
` `
` No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or `
` distrust him. `
` `
` `
` The Bull and the Calf `
` `
` A BULL was striving with all his might to squeeze himself through `
` a narrow passage which led to his stall. A young Calf came up, `
` and offered to go before and show him the way by which he could `
` manage to pass. "Save yourself the trouble," said the Bull; "I `
` knew that way long before you were born." `
` `
` `
` The Stag, the Wolf, and the Sheep `
` `
` A STAG asked a Sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, and said `
` that the Wolf would be his surety. The Sheep, fearing some fraud `
` was intended, excused herself, saying, "The Wolf is accustomed to `
` seize what he wants and to run off; and you, too, can quickly `
` outstrip me in your rapid flight. How then shall I be able to `
` find you, when the day of payment comes?' `
` `
` Two blacks do not make one white. `
` `
` `
` The Peacock and the Crane `
` `
` A PEACOCK spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed `
` by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, "I am `
` robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the `
` rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings." `
` "True," replied the Crane; "but I soar to the heights of heaven `
` and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a `
` cock, among the birds of the dunghill." `
` `
` Fine feathers don't make fine birds. `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Hedgehog `
` `
` 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 Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow `
` `
` AN EAGLE made her nest at the top of a lofty oak; a Cat, having `
` found a convenient hole, moved into the middle of the trunk; and `
` a Wild Sow, with her young, took shelter in a hollow at its foot. `
` The Cat cunningly resolved to destroy this chance-made colony. `
` To carry out her design, she climbed to the nest of the Eagle, `
` and said, "Destruction is preparing for you, and for me too, `
` unfortunately. The Wild Sow, whom you see daily digging up the `
` earth, wishes to uproot the oak, so she may on its fall seize our `
` families as food for her young." Having thus frightened the Eagle `
` out of her senses, she crept down to the cave of the Sow, and `
` said, "Your children are in great danger; for as soon as you go `
` out with your litter to find food, the Eagle is prepared to `
` pounce upon one of your little pigs." Having instilled these `
` fears into the Sow, she went and pretended to hide herself in the `
` hollow of the tree. When night came she went forth with silent `
` foot and obtained food for herself and her kittens, but feigning `
` to be afraid, she kept a lookout all through the day. Meanwhile, `
` the Eagle, full of fear of the Sow, sat still on the branches, `
` and the Sow, terrified by the Eagle, did not dare to go out from `
` her cave. And thus they both, along with their families, `
` perished from hunger, and afforded ample provision for the Cat `
` and her kittens. `
` `
` `
` The Thief and the Innkeeper `
` `
` A THIEF hired a room in a tavern and stayed a while in the hope `
` of stealing something which should enable him to pay his `
` reckoning. When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the `
` Innkeeper dressed in a new and handsome coat and sitting before `
` his door. The Thief sat down beside him and talked with him. As `
` the conversation began to flag, the Thief yawned terribly and at `
` the same time howled like a wolf. The Innkeeper said, "Why do `
` you howl so fearfully?' "I will tell you," said the Thief, "but `
` first let me ask you to hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to `
` pieces. I know not, sir, when I got this habit of yawning, nor `
` whether these attacks of howling were inflicted on me as a `
` judgment for my crimes, or for any other cause; but this I do `
` know, that when I yawn for the third time, I actually turn into a `
` wolf and attack men." With this speech he commenced a second fit `
` of yawning and again howled like a wolf, as he had at first. The `
` Innkeeper. hearing his tale and believing what he said, became `
` greatly alarmed and, rising from his seat, attempted to run away. `
` The Thief laid hold of his coat and entreated him to stop, `
` saying, "Pray wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear `
` them to pieces in my fury, when I turn into a wolf." At the same `
` moment he yawned the third time and set up a terrible howl. The `
` Innkeeper, frightened lest he should be attacked, left his new `
` coat in the Thief's hand and ran as fast as he could into the inn `
` for safety. The Thief made off with the coat and did not return `
` again to the inn. `
` `
` Every tale is not to be believed. `
` `
` `
` The Mule `
` `
` A MULE, frolicsome from lack of work and from too much corn, `
` galloped about in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself: `
` "My father surely was a high-mettled racer, and I am his own `
` child in speed and spirit." On the next day, being driven a long `
` journey, and feeling very wearied, he exclaimed in a disconsolate `
` tone: "I must have made a mistake; my father, after all, could `
` have been only an ass." `
` `
` `
` The Hart and the Vine `
` `
` A HART, hard pressed in the chase, hid himself beneath the large `
` leaves of a Vine. The huntsmen, in their haste, overshot the `
` place of his concealment. Supposing all danger to have passed, `
` the Hart began to nibble the tendrils of the Vine. One of the `
` huntsmen, attracted by the rustling of the leaves, looked back, `
` and seeing the Hart, shot an arrow from his bow and struck it. `
` The Hart, at the point of death, groaned: "I am rightly served, `
` for I should not have maltreated the Vine that saved me." `
` `
` `
` The Serpent and the Eagle `
` `
` A SERPENT and an Eagle were struggling with each other in deadly `
` conflict. The Serpent had the advantage, and was about to `
` strangle the bird. A countryman saw them, and running up, loosed `
` the coil of the Serpent and let the Eagle go free. The Serpent, `
` irritated at the escape of his prey, injected his poison into the `
` drinking horn of the countryman. The rustic, ignorant of his `
` danger, was about to drink, when the Eagle struck his hand with `
` his wing, and, seizing the drinking horn in his talons, carried `
` it aloft. `
` `
` `
` The Crow and the Pitcher `
` `
` A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find `
` water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he `
` discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he `
` could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think `
` of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last `
` he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them `
` one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the `
` water within his reach and thus saved his life. `
` `
` Necessity is the mother of invention. `
` `
` `
` The Two Frogs `
` `
` TWO FROGS were neighbors. One inhabited a deep pond, far removed `
` from public view; the other lived in a gully containing little `
` water, and traversed by a country road. The Frog that lived in `
` the pond warned his friend to change his residence and entreated `
` him to come and live with him, saying that he would enjoy greater `
` safety from danger and more abundant food. The other refused, `
` saying that he felt it so very hard to leave a place to which he `
` had become accustomed. A few days afterwards a heavy wagon `
` passed through the gully and crushed him to death under its `
` wheels. `
` `
`