Reading Help Aesop's Fables
`
` A willful man will have his way to his own hurt. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Fox `
` `
` AT ONE TIME a very large and strong Wolf was born among the `
` wolves, who exceeded all his fellow-wolves in strength, size, and `
` swiftness, so that they unanimously decided to call him "Lion." `
` The Wolf, with a lack of sense proportioned to his enormous size, `
` thought that they gave him this name in earnest, and, leaving his `
` own race, consorted exclusively with the lions. An old sly Fox, `
` seeing this, said, "May I never make myself so ridiculous as you `
` do in your pride and self-conceit; for even though you have the `
` size of a lion among wolves, in a herd of lions you are `
` definitely a wolf." `
` `
` `
` The Walnut-Tree `
` `
` A WALNUT TREE standing by the roadside bore an abundant crop of `
` fruit. For the sake of the nuts, the passers-by broke its `
` branches with stones and sticks. The Walnut-Tree piteously `
` exclaimed, "O wretched me! that those whom I cheer with my fruit `
` should repay me with these painful requitals!" `
` `
` `
` The Gnat and the Lion `
` `
` A GNAT came and said to a Lion, "I do not in the least fear you, `
` nor are you stronger than I am. For in what does your strength `
` consist? You can scratch with your claws and bite with your teeth `
` an a woman in her quarrels. I repeat that I am altogether more `
` powerful than you; and if you doubt it, let us fight and see who `
` will conquer." The Gnat, having sounded his horn, fastened `
` himself upon the Lion and stung him on the nostrils and the parts `
` of the face devoid of hair. While trying to crush him, the Lion `
` tore himself with his claws, until he punished himself severely. `
` The Gnat thus prevailed over the Lion, and, buzzing about in a `
` song of triumph, flew away. But shortly afterwards he became `
` entangled in the meshes of a cobweb and was eaten by a spider. `
` He greatly lamented his fate, saying, "Woe is me! that I, who can `
` wage war successfully with the hugest beasts, should perish `
` myself from this spider, the most inconsiderable of insects!" `
` `
` `
` The Monkey and the Dolphin `
` `
` A SAILOR, bound on a long voyage, took with him a Monkey to amuse `
` him while on shipboard. As he sailed off the coast of Greece, a `
` violent tempest arose in which the ship was wrecked and he, his `
` Monkey, and all the crew were obliged to swim for their lives. A `
` Dolphin saw the Monkey contending with the waves, and supposing `
` him to be a man (whom he is always said to befriend), came and `
` placed himself under him, to convey him on his back in safety to `
` the shore. When the Dolphin arrived with his burden in sight of `
` land not far from Athens, he asked the Monkey if he were an `
` Athenian. The latter replied that he was, and that he was `
` descended from one of the most noble families in that city. The `
` Dolphin then inquired if he knew the Piraeus (the famous harbor `
` of Athens). Supposing that a man was meant, the Monkey answered `
` that he knew him very well and that he was an intimate friend. `
` The Dolphin, indignant at these falsehoods, dipped the Monkey `
` under the water and drowned him. `
` `
` `
` The Jackdaw and the Doves `
` `
` A JACKDAW, seeing some Doves in a cote abundantly provided with `
` food, painted himself white and joined them in order to share `
` their plentiful maintenance. The Doves, as long as he was `
` silent, supposed him to be one of themselves and admitted him to `
` their cote. But when one day he forgot himself and began to `
` chatter, they discovered his true character and drove him forth, `
` pecking him with their beaks. Failing to obtain food among the `
` Doves, he returned to the Jackdaws. They too, not recognizing `
` him on account of his color. expelled him from living with them. `
` So desiring two ends, he obtained neither. `
` `
` `
` The Horse and the Stag `
` `
` AT ONE TIME the Horse had the plain entirely to himself. Then a `
` Stag intruded into his domain and shared his pasture. The Horse, `
` desiring to revenge himself on the stranger, asked a man if he `
` were willing to help him in punishing the Stag. The man replied `
` that if the Horse would receive a bit in his mouth and agree to `
` carry him, he would contrive effective weapons against the Stag. `
` The Horse consented and allowed the man to mount him. From that `
` hour he found that instead of obtaining revenge on the Stag, he `
` had enslaved himself to the service of man. `
` `
` `
` The Kid and the Wolf `
` `
` A KID, returning without protection from the pasture, was pursued `
` by a Wolf. Seeing he could not escape, he turned round, and `
` said: "I know, friend Wolf, that I must be your prey, but before `
` I die I would ask of you one favor you will play me a tune to `
` which I may dance." The Wolf complied, and while he was piping `
` and the Kid was dancing, some hounds hearing the sound ran up and `
` began chasing the Wolf. Turning to the Kid, he said, "It is just `
` what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have `
` turned piper to please you." `
` `
` `
` The Prophet `
` `
` A WIZARD, sitting in the marketplace, was telling the fortunes of `
` the passers-by when a person ran up in great haste, and `
` announced to him that the doors of his house had been broken open `
` and that all his goods were being stolen. He sighed heavily and `
` hastened away as fast as he could run. A neighbor saw him `
` running and said, "Oh! you fellow there! you say you can foretell `
` the fortunes of others; how is it you did not foresee your own?' `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Monkey `
` `
` A FOX and a Monkey were traveling together on the same road. As `
` they journeyed, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. `
` "All these monuments which you see," said the Monkey, "are `
` erected in honor of my ancestors, who were in their day freedmen `
` and citizens of great renown." The Fox replied, "You have chosen `
` a most appropriate subject for your falsehoods, as I am sure none `
` of your ancestors will be able to contradict you." `
` `
` A false tale often betrays itself. `
` `
` `
` The Thief and the Housedog `
` `
` A THIEF came in the night to break into a house. He brought with `
` him several slices of meat in order to pacify the Housedog, so `
` that he would not alarm his master by barking. As the Thief `
` threw him the pieces of meat, the Dog said, "If you think to stop `
` my mouth, you will be greatly mistaken. This sudden kindness at `
` your hands will only make me more watchful, lest under these `
` unexpected favors to myself, you have some private ends to `
` accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master's injury." `
` `
` `
` The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog `
` `
` A HORSE, Ox, and Dog, driven to great straits by the cold, sought `
` shelter and protection from Man. He received them kindly, `
` lighted a fire, and warmed them. He let the Horse make free with `
` his oats, gave the Ox an abundance of hay, and fed the Dog with `
` meat from his own table. Grateful for these favors, the animals `
` determined to repay him to the best of their ability. For this `
` purpose, they divided the term of his life between them, and each `
` endowed one portion of it with the qualities which chiefly `
` characterized himself. The Horse chose his earliest years and `
` gave them his own attributes: hence every man is in his youth `
` impetuous, headstrong, and obstinate in maintaining his own `
` opinion. The Ox took under his patronage the next term of life, `
` and therefore man in his middle age is fond of work, devoted to `
` labor, and resolute to amass wealth and to husband his resources. `
` The end of life was reserved for the Dog, wherefore the old man `
` is often snappish, irritable, hard to please, and selfish, `
` tolerant only of his own household, but averse to strangers and `
` to all who do not administer to his comfort or to his `
` necessities. `
` `
` `
` The Apes and the Two Travelers `
` `
` TWO MEN, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told `
` nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to `
` the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be `
` king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he `
` might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the `
` same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his `
` right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, `
` as was the custom among men. After these preparations he `
` signified that the two men should be brought before him, and `
` greeted them with this salutation: "What sort of a king do I seem `
` to you to be, O strangers?' The Lying Traveler replied, "You seem `
` to me a most mighty king." "And what is your estimate of those `
` you see around me?' "These," he made answer, "are worthy `
` companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and `
` leaders of armies." The Ape and all his court, gratified with the `
` lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. `
` On this the truthful Traveler thought to himself, "If so great a `
` reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, `
` if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?' The Ape quickly `
` turned to him. "And pray how do I and these my friends around me `
` seem to you?' "Thou art," he said, "a most excellent Ape, and all `
` these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too." `
` The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him `
` over to the teeth and claws of his companions. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Shepherd `
` `
` A WOLF followed a flock of sheep for a long time and did not `
` attempt to injure one of them. The Shepherd at first stood on `
` his guard against him, as against an enemy, and kept a strict `
` watch over his movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept `
` in the company of the sheep and did not make the slightest effort `
` to seize them, the Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian `
`
` A willful man will have his way to his own hurt. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Fox `
` `
` AT ONE TIME a very large and strong Wolf was born among the `
` wolves, who exceeded all his fellow-wolves in strength, size, and `
` swiftness, so that they unanimously decided to call him "Lion." `
` The Wolf, with a lack of sense proportioned to his enormous size, `
` thought that they gave him this name in earnest, and, leaving his `
` own race, consorted exclusively with the lions. An old sly Fox, `
` seeing this, said, "May I never make myself so ridiculous as you `
` do in your pride and self-conceit; for even though you have the `
` size of a lion among wolves, in a herd of lions you are `
` definitely a wolf." `
` `
` `
` The Walnut-Tree `
` `
` A WALNUT TREE standing by the roadside bore an abundant crop of `
` fruit. For the sake of the nuts, the passers-by broke its `
` branches with stones and sticks. The Walnut-Tree piteously `
` exclaimed, "O wretched me! that those whom I cheer with my fruit `
` should repay me with these painful requitals!" `
` `
` `
` The Gnat and the Lion `
` `
` A GNAT came and said to a Lion, "I do not in the least fear you, `
` nor are you stronger than I am. For in what does your strength `
` consist? You can scratch with your claws and bite with your teeth `
` an a woman in her quarrels. I repeat that I am altogether more `
` powerful than you; and if you doubt it, let us fight and see who `
` will conquer." The Gnat, having sounded his horn, fastened `
` himself upon the Lion and stung him on the nostrils and the parts `
` of the face devoid of hair. While trying to crush him, the Lion `
` tore himself with his claws, until he punished himself severely. `
` The Gnat thus prevailed over the Lion, and, buzzing about in a `
` song of triumph, flew away. But shortly afterwards he became `
` entangled in the meshes of a cobweb and was eaten by a spider. `
` He greatly lamented his fate, saying, "Woe is me! that I, who can `
` wage war successfully with the hugest beasts, should perish `
` myself from this spider, the most inconsiderable of insects!" `
` `
` `
` The Monkey and the Dolphin `
` `
` A SAILOR, bound on a long voyage, took with him a Monkey to amuse `
` him while on shipboard. As he sailed off the coast of Greece, a `
` violent tempest arose in which the ship was wrecked and he, his `
` Monkey, and all the crew were obliged to swim for their lives. A `
` Dolphin saw the Monkey contending with the waves, and supposing `
` him to be a man (whom he is always said to befriend), came and `
` placed himself under him, to convey him on his back in safety to `
` the shore. When the Dolphin arrived with his burden in sight of `
` land not far from Athens, he asked the Monkey if he were an `
` Athenian. The latter replied that he was, and that he was `
` descended from one of the most noble families in that city. The `
` Dolphin then inquired if he knew the Piraeus (the famous harbor `
` of Athens). Supposing that a man was meant, the Monkey answered `
` that he knew him very well and that he was an intimate friend. `
` The Dolphin, indignant at these falsehoods, dipped the Monkey `
` under the water and drowned him. `
` `
` `
` The Jackdaw and the Doves `
` `
` A JACKDAW, seeing some Doves in a cote abundantly provided with `
` food, painted himself white and joined them in order to share `
` their plentiful maintenance. The Doves, as long as he was `
` silent, supposed him to be one of themselves and admitted him to `
` their cote. But when one day he forgot himself and began to `
` chatter, they discovered his true character and drove him forth, `
` pecking him with their beaks. Failing to obtain food among the `
` Doves, he returned to the Jackdaws. They too, not recognizing `
` him on account of his color. expelled him from living with them. `
` So desiring two ends, he obtained neither. `
` `
` `
` The Horse and the Stag `
` `
` AT ONE TIME the Horse had the plain entirely to himself. Then a `
` Stag intruded into his domain and shared his pasture. The Horse, `
` desiring to revenge himself on the stranger, asked a man if he `
` were willing to help him in punishing the Stag. The man replied `
` that if the Horse would receive a bit in his mouth and agree to `
` carry him, he would contrive effective weapons against the Stag. `
` The Horse consented and allowed the man to mount him. From that `
` hour he found that instead of obtaining revenge on the Stag, he `
` had enslaved himself to the service of man. `
` `
` `
` The Kid and the Wolf `
` `
` A KID, returning without protection from the pasture, was pursued `
` by a Wolf. Seeing he could not escape, he turned round, and `
` said: "I know, friend Wolf, that I must be your prey, but before `
` I die I would ask of you one favor you will play me a tune to `
` which I may dance." The Wolf complied, and while he was piping `
` and the Kid was dancing, some hounds hearing the sound ran up and `
` began chasing the Wolf. Turning to the Kid, he said, "It is just `
` what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have `
` turned piper to please you." `
` `
` `
` The Prophet `
` `
` A WIZARD, sitting in the marketplace, was telling the fortunes of `
` the passers-by when a person ran up in great haste, and `
` announced to him that the doors of his house had been broken open `
` and that all his goods were being stolen. He sighed heavily and `
` hastened away as fast as he could run. A neighbor saw him `
` running and said, "Oh! you fellow there! you say you can foretell `
` the fortunes of others; how is it you did not foresee your own?' `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Monkey `
` `
` A FOX and a Monkey were traveling together on the same road. As `
` they journeyed, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. `
` "All these monuments which you see," said the Monkey, "are `
` erected in honor of my ancestors, who were in their day freedmen `
` and citizens of great renown." The Fox replied, "You have chosen `
` a most appropriate subject for your falsehoods, as I am sure none `
` of your ancestors will be able to contradict you." `
` `
` A false tale often betrays itself. `
` `
` `
` The Thief and the Housedog `
` `
` A THIEF came in the night to break into a house. He brought with `
` him several slices of meat in order to pacify the Housedog, so `
` that he would not alarm his master by barking. As the Thief `
` threw him the pieces of meat, the Dog said, "If you think to stop `
` my mouth, you will be greatly mistaken. This sudden kindness at `
` your hands will only make me more watchful, lest under these `
` unexpected favors to myself, you have some private ends to `
` accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master's injury." `
` `
` `
` The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog `
` `
` A HORSE, Ox, and Dog, driven to great straits by the cold, sought `
` shelter and protection from Man. He received them kindly, `
` lighted a fire, and warmed them. He let the Horse make free with `
` his oats, gave the Ox an abundance of hay, and fed the Dog with `
` meat from his own table. Grateful for these favors, the animals `
` determined to repay him to the best of their ability. For this `
` purpose, they divided the term of his life between them, and each `
` endowed one portion of it with the qualities which chiefly `
` characterized himself. The Horse chose his earliest years and `
` gave them his own attributes: hence every man is in his youth `
` impetuous, headstrong, and obstinate in maintaining his own `
` opinion. The Ox took under his patronage the next term of life, `
` and therefore man in his middle age is fond of work, devoted to `
` labor, and resolute to amass wealth and to husband his resources. `
` The end of life was reserved for the Dog, wherefore the old man `
` is often snappish, irritable, hard to please, and selfish, `
` tolerant only of his own household, but averse to strangers and `
` to all who do not administer to his comfort or to his `
` necessities. `
` `
` `
` The Apes and the Two Travelers `
` `
` TWO MEN, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told `
` nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to `
` the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be `
` king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he `
` might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the `
` same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his `
` right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, `
` as was the custom among men. After these preparations he `
` signified that the two men should be brought before him, and `
` greeted them with this salutation: "What sort of a king do I seem `
` to you to be, O strangers?' The Lying Traveler replied, "You seem `
` to me a most mighty king." "And what is your estimate of those `
` you see around me?' "These," he made answer, "are worthy `
` companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and `
` leaders of armies." The Ape and all his court, gratified with the `
` lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. `
` On this the truthful Traveler thought to himself, "If so great a `
` reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, `
` if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?' The Ape quickly `
` turned to him. "And pray how do I and these my friends around me `
` seem to you?' "Thou art," he said, "a most excellent Ape, and all `
` these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too." `
` The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him `
` over to the teeth and claws of his companions. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Shepherd `
` `
` A WOLF followed a flock of sheep for a long time and did not `
` attempt to injure one of them. The Shepherd at first stood on `
` his guard against him, as against an enemy, and kept a strict `
` watch over his movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept `
` in the company of the sheep and did not make the slightest effort `
` to seize them, the Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian `
`