Reading Help Aesop's Fables
to seize them, the Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian `
` of his flock rather than as a plotter of evil against it; and `
` when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep `
` entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had the `
` opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed the greater part `
` of the flock. When the Shepherd returned to find his flock `
` destroyed, he exclaimed: "I have been rightly served; why did I `
` trust my sheep to a Wolf?' `
` `
` `
` The Hares and the Lions `
` `
` THE HARES harangued the assembly, and argued that all should be `
` equal. The Lions made this reply: "Your words, O Hares! are `
` good; but they lack both claws and teeth such as we have." `
` `
` `
` The Lark and Her Young Ones `
` `
` A LARK had made her nest in the early spring on the young green `
` wheat. The brood had almost grown to their full strength and `
` attained the use of their wings and the full plumage of their `
` feathers, when the owner of the field, looking over his ripe `
` crop, said, "The time has come when I must ask all my neighbors `
` to help me with my harvest." One of the young Larks heard his `
` speech and related it to his mother, inquiring of her to what `
` place they should move for safety. "There is no occasion to move `
` yet, my son," she replied; "the man who only sends to his friends `
` to help him with his harvest is not really in earnest." The owner `
` of the field came again a few days later and saw the wheat `
` shedding the grain from excess of ripeness. He said, "I will `
` come myself tomorrow with my laborers, and with as many reapers `
` as I can hire, and will get in the harvest." The Lark on hearing `
` these words said to her brood, "It is time now to be off, my `
` little ones, for the man is in earnest this time; he no longer `
` trusts his friends, but will reap the field himself." `
` `
` Self-help is the best help. `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Lion `
` `
` WHEN A FOX who had never yet seen a Lion, fell in with him by `
` chance for the first time in the forest, he was so frightened `
` that he nearly died with fear. On meeting him for the second `
` time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same extent as at `
` first. On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness `
` that he went up to him and commenced a familiar conversation with `
` him. `
` `
` Acquaintance softens prejudices. `
` `
` `
` The Weasel and the Mice `
` `
` A WEASEL, inactive from age and infirmities, was not able to `
` catch mice as he once did. He therefore rolled himself in flour `
` and lay down in a dark corner. A Mouse, supposing him to be `
` food, leaped upon him, and was instantly caught and squeezed to `
` death. Another perished in a similar manner, and then a third, `
` and still others after them. A very old Mouse, who had escaped `
` many a trap and snare, observed from a safe distance the trick of `
` his crafty foe and said, "Ah! you that lie there, may you prosper `
` just in the same proportion as you are what you pretend to be!" `
` `
` `
` The Boy Bathing `
` `
` A BOY bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He `
` called out to a passing traveler for help, but instead of holding `
` out a helping hand, the man stood by unconcernedly, and scolded `
` the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "pray `
` help me now and scold me afterwards." `
` `
` Counsel without help is useless. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Wolf `
` `
` AN ASS feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him, `
` and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf, coming up, `
` inquired the cause of his lameness. The Ass replied that passing `
` through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn. He `
` requested that the Wolf pull it out, lest when he ate him it `
` should injure his throat. The Wolf consented and lifted up the `
` foot, and was giving his whole mind to the discovery of the `
` thorn, when the Ass, with his heels, kicked his teeth into his `
` mouth and galloped away. The Wolf, being thus fearfully mauled, `
` said, "I am rightly served, for why did I attempt the art of `
` healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?' `
` `
` `
` The Seller of Images `
` `
` A CERTAIN MAN made a wooden image of Mercury and offered it for `
` sale. When no one appeared willing to buy it, in order to `
` attract purchasers, he cried out that he had the statue to sell `
` of a benefactor who bestowed wealth and helped to heap up riches. `
` One of the bystanders said to him, "My good fellow, why do you `
` sell him, being such a one as you describe, when you may yourself `
` enjoy the good things he has to give?' "Why," he replied, "I am `
` in need of immediate help, and he is wont to give his good gifts `
` very slowly." `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Grapes `
` `
` A FAMISHED FOX saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging `
` from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at `
` them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach them. `
` At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and saying: `
` "The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought." `
` `
` `
` The Man and His Wife `
` `
` A MAN had a Wife who made herself hated by all the members of his `
` household. Wishing to find out if she had the same effect on the `
` persons in her father's house, he made some excuse to send her `
` home on a visit to her father. After a short time she returned, `
` and when he inquired how she had got on and how the servants had `
` treated her, she replied, "The herdsmen and shepherds cast on me `
` looks of aversion." He said, "O Wife, if you were disliked by `
` those who go out early in the morning with their flocks and `
` return late in the evening, what must have been felt towards you `
` by those with whom you passed the whole day!" `
` `
` Straws show how the wind blows. `
` `
` `
` The Peacock and Juno `
` `
` THE PEACOCK made complaint to Juno that, while the nightingale `
` pleased every ear with his song, he himself no sooner opened his `
` mouth than he became a laughingstock to all who heard him. The `
` Goddess, to console him, said, "But you far excel in beauty and `
` in size. The splendor of the emerald shines in your neck and you `
` unfold a tail gorgeous with painted plumage." "But for what `
` purpose have I," said the bird, "this dumb beauty so long as I am `
` surpassed in song?' "The lot of each," replied Juno, "has been `
` assigned by the will of the Fates--to thee, beauty; to the eagle, `
` strength; to the nightingale, song; to the raven, favorable, `
` and to the crow, unfavorable auguries. These are all contented `
` with the endowments allotted to them." `
` `
` `
` The Hawk and the Nightingale `
` `
` A NIGHTINGALE, sitting aloft upon an oak and singing according to `
` his wont, was seen by a Hawk who, being in need of food, swooped `
` down and seized him. The Nightingale, about to lose his life, `
` earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not `
` big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted `
` food, ought to pursue the larger birds. The Hawk, interrupting `
` him, said: "I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let `
` go food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing birds which `
` are not yet even within sight." `
` `
` `
` The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox `
` `
` A DOG and a Cock being great friends, agreed to travel together. `
` At nightfall they took shelter in a thick wood. The Cock flying `
` up, perched himself on the branches of a tree, while the Dog `
` found a bed beneath in the hollow trunk. When the morning `
` dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed very loudly several times. A `
` Fox heard the sound, and wishing to make a breakfast on him, came `
` and stood under the branches, saying how earnestly he desired to `
` make the acquaintance of the owner of so magnificent a voice. `
` The Cock, suspecting his civilities, said: "Sir, I wish you would `
` do me the favor of going around to the hollow trunk below me, and `
` waking my porter, so that he may open the door and let you in." `
` When the Fox approached the tree, the Dog sprang out and caught `
` him, and tore him to pieces. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Goat `
` `
` A WOLF saw a Goat feeding at the summit of a steep precipice, `
` where he had no chance of reaching her. He called to her and `
` earnestly begged her to come lower down, lest she fall by some `
` mishap; and he added that the meadows lay where he was standing, `
` and that the herbage was most tender. She replied, "No, my `
` friend, it is not for the pasture that you invite me, but for `
` yourself, who are in want of food." `
` `
` `
` The Lion and the Bull `
` `
` A LION, greatly desiring to capture a Bull, and yet afraid to `
` attack him on account of his great size, resorted to a trick to `
` ensure his destruction. He approached the Bull and said, "I have `
` slain a fine sheep, my friend; and if you will come home and `
` partake of him with me, I shall be delighted to have your `
` company." The Lion said this in the hope that, as the Bull was in `
` the act of reclining to eat, he might attack him to advantage, `
` and make his meal on him. The Bull, on approaching the Lion's `
` den, saw the huge spits and giant caldrons, and no sign whatever `
` of the sheep, and, without saying a word, quietly took his `
` departure. The Lion inquired why he went off so abruptly without `
` a word of salutation to his host, who had not given him any cause `
`
` of his flock rather than as a plotter of evil against it; and `
` when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep `
` entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had the `
` opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed the greater part `
` of the flock. When the Shepherd returned to find his flock `
` destroyed, he exclaimed: "I have been rightly served; why did I `
` trust my sheep to a Wolf?' `
` `
` `
` The Hares and the Lions `
` `
` THE HARES harangued the assembly, and argued that all should be `
` equal. The Lions made this reply: "Your words, O Hares! are `
` good; but they lack both claws and teeth such as we have." `
` `
` `
` The Lark and Her Young Ones `
` `
` A LARK had made her nest in the early spring on the young green `
` wheat. The brood had almost grown to their full strength and `
` attained the use of their wings and the full plumage of their `
` feathers, when the owner of the field, looking over his ripe `
` crop, said, "The time has come when I must ask all my neighbors `
` to help me with my harvest." One of the young Larks heard his `
` speech and related it to his mother, inquiring of her to what `
` place they should move for safety. "There is no occasion to move `
` yet, my son," she replied; "the man who only sends to his friends `
` to help him with his harvest is not really in earnest." The owner `
` of the field came again a few days later and saw the wheat `
` shedding the grain from excess of ripeness. He said, "I will `
` come myself tomorrow with my laborers, and with as many reapers `
` as I can hire, and will get in the harvest." The Lark on hearing `
` these words said to her brood, "It is time now to be off, my `
` little ones, for the man is in earnest this time; he no longer `
` trusts his friends, but will reap the field himself." `
` `
` Self-help is the best help. `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Lion `
` `
` WHEN A FOX who had never yet seen a Lion, fell in with him by `
` chance for the first time in the forest, he was so frightened `
` that he nearly died with fear. On meeting him for the second `
` time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same extent as at `
` first. On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness `
` that he went up to him and commenced a familiar conversation with `
` him. `
` `
` Acquaintance softens prejudices. `
` `
` `
` The Weasel and the Mice `
` `
` A WEASEL, inactive from age and infirmities, was not able to `
` catch mice as he once did. He therefore rolled himself in flour `
` and lay down in a dark corner. A Mouse, supposing him to be `
` food, leaped upon him, and was instantly caught and squeezed to `
` death. Another perished in a similar manner, and then a third, `
` and still others after them. A very old Mouse, who had escaped `
` many a trap and snare, observed from a safe distance the trick of `
` his crafty foe and said, "Ah! you that lie there, may you prosper `
` just in the same proportion as you are what you pretend to be!" `
` `
` `
` The Boy Bathing `
` `
` A BOY bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He `
` called out to a passing traveler for help, but instead of holding `
` out a helping hand, the man stood by unconcernedly, and scolded `
` the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "pray `
` help me now and scold me afterwards." `
` `
` Counsel without help is useless. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Wolf `
` `
` AN ASS feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him, `
` and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf, coming up, `
` inquired the cause of his lameness. The Ass replied that passing `
` through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn. He `
` requested that the Wolf pull it out, lest when he ate him it `
` should injure his throat. The Wolf consented and lifted up the `
` foot, and was giving his whole mind to the discovery of the `
` thorn, when the Ass, with his heels, kicked his teeth into his `
` mouth and galloped away. The Wolf, being thus fearfully mauled, `
` said, "I am rightly served, for why did I attempt the art of `
` healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?' `
` `
` `
` The Seller of Images `
` `
` A CERTAIN MAN made a wooden image of Mercury and offered it for `
` sale. When no one appeared willing to buy it, in order to `
` attract purchasers, he cried out that he had the statue to sell `
` of a benefactor who bestowed wealth and helped to heap up riches. `
` One of the bystanders said to him, "My good fellow, why do you `
` sell him, being such a one as you describe, when you may yourself `
` enjoy the good things he has to give?' "Why," he replied, "I am `
` in need of immediate help, and he is wont to give his good gifts `
` very slowly." `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Grapes `
` `
` A FAMISHED FOX saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging `
` from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at `
` them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach them. `
` At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and saying: `
` "The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought." `
` `
` `
` The Man and His Wife `
` `
` A MAN had a Wife who made herself hated by all the members of his `
` household. Wishing to find out if she had the same effect on the `
` persons in her father's house, he made some excuse to send her `
` home on a visit to her father. After a short time she returned, `
` and when he inquired how she had got on and how the servants had `
` treated her, she replied, "The herdsmen and shepherds cast on me `
` looks of aversion." He said, "O Wife, if you were disliked by `
` those who go out early in the morning with their flocks and `
` return late in the evening, what must have been felt towards you `
` by those with whom you passed the whole day!" `
` `
` Straws show how the wind blows. `
` `
` `
` The Peacock and Juno `
` `
` THE PEACOCK made complaint to Juno that, while the nightingale `
` pleased every ear with his song, he himself no sooner opened his `
` mouth than he became a laughingstock to all who heard him. The `
` Goddess, to console him, said, "But you far excel in beauty and `
` in size. The splendor of the emerald shines in your neck and you `
` unfold a tail gorgeous with painted plumage." "But for what `
` purpose have I," said the bird, "this dumb beauty so long as I am `
` surpassed in song?' "The lot of each," replied Juno, "has been `
` assigned by the will of the Fates--to thee, beauty; to the eagle, `
` strength; to the nightingale, song; to the raven, favorable, `
` and to the crow, unfavorable auguries. These are all contented `
` with the endowments allotted to them." `
` `
` `
` The Hawk and the Nightingale `
` `
` A NIGHTINGALE, sitting aloft upon an oak and singing according to `
` his wont, was seen by a Hawk who, being in need of food, swooped `
` down and seized him. The Nightingale, about to lose his life, `
` earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not `
` big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted `
` food, ought to pursue the larger birds. The Hawk, interrupting `
` him, said: "I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let `
` go food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing birds which `
` are not yet even within sight." `
` `
` `
` The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox `
` `
` A DOG and a Cock being great friends, agreed to travel together. `
` At nightfall they took shelter in a thick wood. The Cock flying `
` up, perched himself on the branches of a tree, while the Dog `
` found a bed beneath in the hollow trunk. When the morning `
` dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed very loudly several times. A `
` Fox heard the sound, and wishing to make a breakfast on him, came `
` and stood under the branches, saying how earnestly he desired to `
` make the acquaintance of the owner of so magnificent a voice. `
` The Cock, suspecting his civilities, said: "Sir, I wish you would `
` do me the favor of going around to the hollow trunk below me, and `
` waking my porter, so that he may open the door and let you in." `
` When the Fox approached the tree, the Dog sprang out and caught `
` him, and tore him to pieces. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Goat `
` `
` A WOLF saw a Goat feeding at the summit of a steep precipice, `
` where he had no chance of reaching her. He called to her and `
` earnestly begged her to come lower down, lest she fall by some `
` mishap; and he added that the meadows lay where he was standing, `
` and that the herbage was most tender. She replied, "No, my `
` friend, it is not for the pasture that you invite me, but for `
` yourself, who are in want of food." `
` `
` `
` The Lion and the Bull `
` `
` A LION, greatly desiring to capture a Bull, and yet afraid to `
` attack him on account of his great size, resorted to a trick to `
` ensure his destruction. He approached the Bull and said, "I have `
` slain a fine sheep, my friend; and if you will come home and `
` partake of him with me, I shall be delighted to have your `
` company." The Lion said this in the hope that, as the Bull was in `
` the act of reclining to eat, he might attack him to advantage, `
` and make his meal on him. The Bull, on approaching the Lion's `
` den, saw the huge spits and giant caldrons, and no sign whatever `
` of the sheep, and, without saying a word, quietly took his `
` departure. The Lion inquired why he went off so abruptly without `
` a word of salutation to his host, who had not given him any cause `
`