Reading Help Aesop's Fables
it, till the Ass, not liking the noise nor the strange handling `
` that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound him and, `
` tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon this, the old `
` man, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, `
` convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased `
` nobody, and lost his Ass in the bargain. `
` `
` The Crow and the Sheep `
` `
` A TROUBLESOME CROW seated herself on the back of a Sheep. The `
` Sheep, much against his will, carried her backward and forward `
` for a long time, and at last said, "If you had treated a dog in `
` this way, you would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth." `
` To this the Crow replied, "I despise the weak and yield to the `
` strong. I know whom I may bully and whom I must flatter; and I `
` thus prolong my life to a good old age." `
` `
` The Fox and the Bramble `
` `
` A FOX was mounting a hedge when he lost his footing and caught `
` hold of a Bramble to save himself. Having pricked and grievously `
` tom the soles of his feet, he accused the Bramble because, when `
` he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than `
` the hedge itself. The Bramble, interrupting him, said, "But you `
` really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on `
` me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others." `
` `
` The Wolf and the Lion `
` `
` A WOLF, having stolen a lamb from a fold, was carrying him off to `
` his lair. A Lion met him in the path, and seizing the lamb, took `
` it from him. Standing at a safe distance, the Wolf exclaimed, `
` "You have unrighteously taken that which was mine from me!" To `
` which the Lion jeeringly replied, "It was righteously yours, eh? `
` The gift of a friend?' `
` `
` The Dog and the Oyster `
` `
` A DOG, used to eating eggs, saw an Oyster and, opening his mouth `
` to its widest extent, swallowed it down with the utmost relish, `
` supposing it to be an egg. Soon afterwards suffering great pain `
` in his stomach, he said, "I deserve all this torment, for my `
` folly in thinking that everything round must be an egg." `
` `
` They who act without sufficient thought, will often fall into `
` unsuspected danger. `
` `
` The Ant and the Dove `
` `
` AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and `
` being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of `
` drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked `
` a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant `
` climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly `
` afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid `
` his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant, `
` perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the `
` birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove `
` take wing. `
` `
` The Partridge and the Fowler `
` `
` A FOWLER caught a Partridge and was about to kill it. The `
` Partridge earnestly begged him to spare his life, saying, "Pray, `
` master, permit me to live and I will entice many Partridges to `
` you in recompense for your mercy to me." The Fowler replied, "I `
` shall now with less scruple take your life, because you are `
` willing to save it at the cost of betraying your friends and `
` relations." `
` `
` The Flea and the Man `
` `
` A MAN, very much annoyed with a Flea, caught him at last, and `
` said, "Who are you who dare to feed on my limbs, and to cost me `
` so much trouble in catching you?' The Flea replied, "O my dear `
` sir, pray spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot `
` possibly do you much harm." The Man, laughing, replied, "Now you `
` shall certainly die by mine own hands, for no evil, whether it be `
` small or large, ought to be tolerated." `
` `
` The Thieves and the Cock `
` `
` SOME THIEVES broke into a house and found nothing but a Cock, `
` whom they stole, and got off as fast as they could. Upon `
` arriving at home they prepared to kill the Cock, who thus pleaded `
` for his life: "Pray spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I `
` wake them up in the night to their work." "That is the very `
` reason why we must the more kill you," they replied; "for when `
` you wake your neighbors, you entirely put an end to our `
` business." `
` `
` The safeguards of virtue are hateful to those with evil `
` intentions. `
` `
` The Dog and the Cook `
` `
` A RICH MAN gave a great feast, to which he invited many friends `
` and acquaintances. His Dog availed himself of the occasion to `
` invite a stranger Dog, a friend of his, saying, "My master gives `
` a feast, and there is always much food remaining; come and sup `
` with me tonight." The Dog thus invited went at the hour `
` appointed, and seeing the preparations for so grand an `
` entertainment, said in the joy of his heart, "How glad I am that `
` I came! I do not often get such a chance as this. I will take `
` care and eat enough to last me both today and tomorrow." While he `
` was congratulating himself and wagging his tail to convey his `
` pleasure to his friend, the Cook saw him moving about among his `
` dishes and, seizing him by his fore and hind paws, bundled him `
` without ceremony out of the window. He fell with force upon the `
` ground and limped away, howling dreadfully. His yelling soon `
` attracted other street dogs, who came up to him and inquired how `
` he had enjoyed his supper. He replied, "Why, to tell you the `
` truth, I drank so much wine that I remember nothing. I do not `
` know how I got out of the house." `
` `
` The Travelers and the Plane-Tree `
` `
` TWO TRAVELERS, worn out by the heat of the summer's sun, laid `
` themselves down at noon under the widespreading branches of a `
` Plane-Tree. As they rested under its shade, one of the Travelers `
` said to the other, "What a singularly useless tree is the Plane! `
` It bears no fruit, and is not of the least service to man." The `
` Plane-Tree, interrupting him, said, "You ungrateful fellows! Do `
` you, while receiving benefits from me and resting under my shade, `
` dare to describe me as useless, and unprofitable?' `
` `
` Some men underrate their best blessings. `
` `
` `
` The Hares and the Frogs `
` `
` THE HARES, oppressed by their own exceeding timidity and weary of `
` the perpetual alarm to which they were exposed, with one accord `
` determined to put an end to themselves and their troubles by `
` jumping from a lofty precipice into a deep lake below. As they `
` scampered off in large numbers to carry out their resolve, the `
` Frogs lying on the banks of the lake heard the noise of their `
` feet and rushed helter-skelter to the deep water for safety. On `
` seeing the rapid disappearance of the Frogs, one of the Hares `
` cried out to his companions: "Stay, my friends, do not do as you `
` intended; for you now see that there are creatures who are still `
` more timid than ourselves." `
` `
` `
` The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant `
` `
` THE LION wearied Jupiter with his frequent complaints. "It is `
` true, O Jupiter!" he said, "that I am gigantic in strength, `
` handsome in shape, and powerful in attack. I have jaws well `
` provided with teeth, and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it `
` over all the beasts of the forest, and what a disgrace it is, `
` that being such as I am, I should be frightened by the crowing of `
` a cock." Jupiter replied, "Why do you blame me without a cause? I `
` have given you all the attributes which I possess myself, and `
` your courage never fails you except in this one instance." On `
` hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented very much and, `
` reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die. `
` As these thoughts passed through his mind, he met an Elephant and `
` came close to hold a conversation with him. After a time he `
` observed that the Elephant shook his ears very often, and he `
` inquired what was the matter and why his ears moved with such a `
` tremor every now and then. Just at that moment a Gnat settled on `
` the head of the Elephant, and he replied, "Do you see that little `
` buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed. I should `
` die presently." The Lion said, "Well, since so huge a beast is `
` afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself `
` dead. I find myself, even as I am, better off than the `
` Elephant." `
` `
` The Lamb and the Wolf `
` `
` A WOLF pursued a Lamb, which fled for refuge to a certain Temple. `
` The Wolf called out to him and said, "The Priest will slay you in `
` sacrifice, if he should catch you." On which the Lamb replied, `
` "It would be better for me to be sacrificed in the Temple than to `
` be eaten by you." `
` `
` `
` The Rich Man and the Tanner `
` `
` A RICH MAN lived near a Tanner, and not being able to bear the `
` unpleasant smell of the tan-yard, he pressed his neighbor to go `
` away. The Tanner put off his departure from time to time, saying `
` that he would leave soon. But as he still continued to stay, as `
` time went on, the rich man became accustomed to the smell, and `
` feeling no manner of inconvenience, made no further complaints. `
` `
` `
` The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea `
` `
` A SHIPWRECKED MAN, having been cast upon a certain shore, slept `
` after his buffetings with the deep. After a while he awoke, and `
` looking upon the Sea, loaded it with reproaches. He argued that `
` it enticed men with the calmness of its looks, but when it had `
` induced them to plow its waters, it grew rough and destroyed `
` them. The Sea, assuming the form of a woman, replied to him: `
` "Blame not me, my good sir, but the winds, for I am by my own `
` nature as calm and firm even as this earth; but the winds `
` suddenly falling on me create these waves, and lash me into `
` fury." `
` `
`
` that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound him and, `
` tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon this, the old `
` man, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, `
` convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased `
` nobody, and lost his Ass in the bargain. `
` `
` The Crow and the Sheep `
` `
` A TROUBLESOME CROW seated herself on the back of a Sheep. The `
` Sheep, much against his will, carried her backward and forward `
` for a long time, and at last said, "If you had treated a dog in `
` this way, you would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth." `
` To this the Crow replied, "I despise the weak and yield to the `
` strong. I know whom I may bully and whom I must flatter; and I `
` thus prolong my life to a good old age." `
` `
` The Fox and the Bramble `
` `
` A FOX was mounting a hedge when he lost his footing and caught `
` hold of a Bramble to save himself. Having pricked and grievously `
` tom the soles of his feet, he accused the Bramble because, when `
` he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than `
` the hedge itself. The Bramble, interrupting him, said, "But you `
` really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on `
` me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others." `
` `
` The Wolf and the Lion `
` `
` A WOLF, having stolen a lamb from a fold, was carrying him off to `
` his lair. A Lion met him in the path, and seizing the lamb, took `
` it from him. Standing at a safe distance, the Wolf exclaimed, `
` "You have unrighteously taken that which was mine from me!" To `
` which the Lion jeeringly replied, "It was righteously yours, eh? `
` The gift of a friend?' `
` `
` The Dog and the Oyster `
` `
` A DOG, used to eating eggs, saw an Oyster and, opening his mouth `
` to its widest extent, swallowed it down with the utmost relish, `
` supposing it to be an egg. Soon afterwards suffering great pain `
` in his stomach, he said, "I deserve all this torment, for my `
` folly in thinking that everything round must be an egg." `
` `
` They who act without sufficient thought, will often fall into `
` unsuspected danger. `
` `
` The Ant and the Dove `
` `
` AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and `
` being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of `
` drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked `
` a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant `
` climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly `
` afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid `
` his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant, `
` perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the `
` birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove `
` take wing. `
` `
` The Partridge and the Fowler `
` `
` A FOWLER caught a Partridge and was about to kill it. The `
` Partridge earnestly begged him to spare his life, saying, "Pray, `
` master, permit me to live and I will entice many Partridges to `
` you in recompense for your mercy to me." The Fowler replied, "I `
` shall now with less scruple take your life, because you are `
` willing to save it at the cost of betraying your friends and `
` relations." `
` `
` The Flea and the Man `
` `
` A MAN, very much annoyed with a Flea, caught him at last, and `
` said, "Who are you who dare to feed on my limbs, and to cost me `
` so much trouble in catching you?' The Flea replied, "O my dear `
` sir, pray spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot `
` possibly do you much harm." The Man, laughing, replied, "Now you `
` shall certainly die by mine own hands, for no evil, whether it be `
` small or large, ought to be tolerated." `
` `
` The Thieves and the Cock `
` `
` SOME THIEVES broke into a house and found nothing but a Cock, `
` whom they stole, and got off as fast as they could. Upon `
` arriving at home they prepared to kill the Cock, who thus pleaded `
` for his life: "Pray spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I `
` wake them up in the night to their work." "That is the very `
` reason why we must the more kill you," they replied; "for when `
` you wake your neighbors, you entirely put an end to our `
` business." `
` `
` The safeguards of virtue are hateful to those with evil `
` intentions. `
` `
` The Dog and the Cook `
` `
` A RICH MAN gave a great feast, to which he invited many friends `
` and acquaintances. His Dog availed himself of the occasion to `
` invite a stranger Dog, a friend of his, saying, "My master gives `
` a feast, and there is always much food remaining; come and sup `
` with me tonight." The Dog thus invited went at the hour `
` appointed, and seeing the preparations for so grand an `
` entertainment, said in the joy of his heart, "How glad I am that `
` I came! I do not often get such a chance as this. I will take `
` care and eat enough to last me both today and tomorrow." While he `
` was congratulating himself and wagging his tail to convey his `
` pleasure to his friend, the Cook saw him moving about among his `
` dishes and, seizing him by his fore and hind paws, bundled him `
` without ceremony out of the window. He fell with force upon the `
` ground and limped away, howling dreadfully. His yelling soon `
` attracted other street dogs, who came up to him and inquired how `
` he had enjoyed his supper. He replied, "Why, to tell you the `
` truth, I drank so much wine that I remember nothing. I do not `
` know how I got out of the house." `
` `
` The Travelers and the Plane-Tree `
` `
` TWO TRAVELERS, worn out by the heat of the summer's sun, laid `
` themselves down at noon under the widespreading branches of a `
` Plane-Tree. As they rested under its shade, one of the Travelers `
` said to the other, "What a singularly useless tree is the Plane! `
` It bears no fruit, and is not of the least service to man." The `
` Plane-Tree, interrupting him, said, "You ungrateful fellows! Do `
` you, while receiving benefits from me and resting under my shade, `
` dare to describe me as useless, and unprofitable?' `
` `
` Some men underrate their best blessings. `
` `
` `
` The Hares and the Frogs `
` `
` THE HARES, oppressed by their own exceeding timidity and weary of `
` the perpetual alarm to which they were exposed, with one accord `
` determined to put an end to themselves and their troubles by `
` jumping from a lofty precipice into a deep lake below. As they `
` scampered off in large numbers to carry out their resolve, the `
` Frogs lying on the banks of the lake heard the noise of their `
` feet and rushed helter-skelter to the deep water for safety. On `
` seeing the rapid disappearance of the Frogs, one of the Hares `
` cried out to his companions: "Stay, my friends, do not do as you `
` intended; for you now see that there are creatures who are still `
` more timid than ourselves." `
` `
` `
` The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant `
` `
` THE LION wearied Jupiter with his frequent complaints. "It is `
` true, O Jupiter!" he said, "that I am gigantic in strength, `
` handsome in shape, and powerful in attack. I have jaws well `
` provided with teeth, and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it `
` over all the beasts of the forest, and what a disgrace it is, `
` that being such as I am, I should be frightened by the crowing of `
` a cock." Jupiter replied, "Why do you blame me without a cause? I `
` have given you all the attributes which I possess myself, and `
` your courage never fails you except in this one instance." On `
` hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented very much and, `
` reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die. `
` As these thoughts passed through his mind, he met an Elephant and `
` came close to hold a conversation with him. After a time he `
` observed that the Elephant shook his ears very often, and he `
` inquired what was the matter and why his ears moved with such a `
` tremor every now and then. Just at that moment a Gnat settled on `
` the head of the Elephant, and he replied, "Do you see that little `
` buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed. I should `
` die presently." The Lion said, "Well, since so huge a beast is `
` afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself `
` dead. I find myself, even as I am, better off than the `
` Elephant." `
` `
` The Lamb and the Wolf `
` `
` A WOLF pursued a Lamb, which fled for refuge to a certain Temple. `
` The Wolf called out to him and said, "The Priest will slay you in `
` sacrifice, if he should catch you." On which the Lamb replied, `
` "It would be better for me to be sacrificed in the Temple than to `
` be eaten by you." `
` `
` `
` The Rich Man and the Tanner `
` `
` A RICH MAN lived near a Tanner, and not being able to bear the `
` unpleasant smell of the tan-yard, he pressed his neighbor to go `
` away. The Tanner put off his departure from time to time, saying `
` that he would leave soon. But as he still continued to stay, as `
` time went on, the rich man became accustomed to the smell, and `
` feeling no manner of inconvenience, made no further complaints. `
` `
` `
` The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea `
` `
` A SHIPWRECKED MAN, having been cast upon a certain shore, slept `
` after his buffetings with the deep. After a while he awoke, and `
` looking upon the Sea, loaded it with reproaches. He argued that `
` it enticed men with the calmness of its looks, but when it had `
` induced them to plow its waters, it grew rough and destroyed `
` them. The Sea, assuming the form of a woman, replied to him: `
` "Blame not me, my good sir, but the winds, for I am by my own `
` nature as calm and firm even as this earth; but the winds `
` suddenly falling on me create these waves, and lash me into `
` fury." `
` `
`