Reading Help Aesop's Fables
`
` The Dog in the Manger `
` `
` A DOG lay in a manger, and by his growling and snapping prevented `
` the oxen from eating the hay which had been placed for them. `
` "What a selfish Dog!" said one of them to his companions; "he `
` cannot eat the hay himself, and yet refuses to allow those to eat `
` who can." `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Goat `
` `
` A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of `
` escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and `
` seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his `
` sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish `
` praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and `
` encouraging him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his `
` thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox `
` informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a `
` scheme for their common escape. "If," said he, "you will place `
` your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up `
` your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards." The Goat `
` readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying `
` himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of the `
` well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided `
` him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, `
` "You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head `
` as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down `
` before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to `
` dangers from which you had no means of escape." `
` `
` Look before you leap. `
` `
` `
` The Bear and the Two Travelers `
` `
` TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on `
` their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and `
` concealed himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he `
` must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came `
` up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held `
` his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he `
` could. The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch `
` a dead body. When he was quite gone, the other Traveler `
` descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of his friend `
` what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear. "He gave me this `
` advice," his companion replied. "Never travel with a friend who `
` deserts you at the approach of danger." `
` `
` Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. `
` `
` `
` The Oxen and the Axle-Trees `
` `
` A HEAVY WAGON was being dragged along a country lane by a team of `
` Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the `
` Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: "Hullo there! why `
` do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not `
` you, ought to cry out." `
` `
` Those who suffer most cry out the least. `
` `
` `
` The Thirsty Pigeon `
` `
` A PIGEON, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water `
` painted on a signboard. Not supposing it to be only a picture, `
` she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed `
` against the signboard, jarring herself terribly. Having broken `
` her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, and was caught by `
` one of the bystanders. `
` `
` Zeal should not outrun discretion. `
` `
` `
` The Raven and the Swan `
` `
` A RAVEN saw a Swan and desired to secure for himself the same `
` beautiful plumage. Supposing that the Swan's splendid white `
` color arose from his washing in the water in which he swam, the `
` Raven left the altars in the neighborhood where he picked up his `
` living, and took up residence in the lakes and pools. But `
` cleansing his feathers as often as he would, he could not change `
` their color, while through want of food he perished. `
` `
` Change of habit cannot alter Nature. `
` `
` `
` The Goat and the Goatherd `
` `
` A GOATHERD had sought to bring back a stray goat to his flock. `
` He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no `
` attention to the summons. At last the Goatherd threw a stone, `
` and breaking its horn, begged the Goat not to tell his master. `
` The Goat replied, "Why, you silly fellow, the horn will speak `
` though I be silent." `
` `
` Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be hid. `
` `
` `
` The Miser `
` `
` A MISER sold all that he had and bought a lump of gold, which he `
` buried in a hole in the ground by the side of an old wall and `
` went to look at daily. One of his workmen observed his frequent `
` visits to the spot and decided to watch his movements. He soon `
` discovered the secret of the hidden treasure, and digging down, `
` came to the lump of gold, and stole it. The Miser, on his next `
` visit, found the hole empty and began to tear his hair and to `
` make loud lamentations. A neighbor, seeing him overcome with `
` grief and learning the cause, said, "Pray do not grieve so; but `
` go and take a stone, and place it in the hole, and fancy that the `
` gold is still lying there. It will do you quite the same `
` service; for when the gold was there, you had it not, as you did `
` not make the slightest use of it." `
` `
` `
` The Sick Lion `
` `
` A LION, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself `
` with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice. He returned `
` to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking `
` care that his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts `
` expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the `
` Lion devoured them. After many of the beasts had thus `
` disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself `
` to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful `
` distance, and asked him how he was. "I am very middling," `
` replied the Lion, "but why do you stand without? Pray enter `
` within to talk with me." "No, thank you," said the Fox. "I `
` notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but `
` I see no trace of any returning." `
` `
` He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others. `
` `
` `
` The Horse and Groom `
` `
` A GROOM used to spend whole days in currycombing and rubbing down `
` his Horse, but at the same time stole his oats and sold them for `
` his own profit. "Alas!" said the Horse, "if you really wish me `
` to be in good condition, you should groom me less, and feed me `
` more." `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Lapdog `
` `
` A MAN had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The `
` Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, `
` just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was `
` a great favorite with his master, who often fondled him and `
` seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to `
` eat. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding `
` the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens `
` from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and `
` contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at `
` last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his `
` master's house, kicking up his heels without measure, and `
` frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump `
` about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the `
` table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then `
` attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The `
` servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of `
` their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his `
` stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned `
` to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented: "I have `
` brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to `
` labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day `
` like that useless little Lapdog!" `
` `
` `
` The Lioness `
` `
` A CONTROVERSY prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which `
` of the animals deserved the most credit for producing the `
` greatest number of whelps at a birth. They rushed clamorously `
` into the presence of the Lioness and demanded of her the `
` settlement of the dispute. "And you," they said, "how many sons `
` have you at a birth?' The Lioness laughed at them, and said: `
` "Why! I have only one; but that one is altogether a thoroughbred `
` Lion." `
` `
` The value is in the worth, not in the number. `
` `
` `
` The Boasting Traveler `
` `
` A MAN who had traveled in foreign lands boasted very much, on `
` returning to his own country, of the many wonderful and heroic `
` feats he had performed in the different places he had visited. `
` Among other things, he said that when he was at Rhodes he had `
` leaped to such a distance that no man of his day could leap `
` anywhere near him as to that, there were in Rhodes many persons `
` who saw him do it and whom he could call as witnesses. One of `
` the bystanders interrupted him, saying: "Now, my good man, if `
` this be all true there is no need of witnesses. Suppose this `
` to be Rhodes, and leap for us." `
` `
` `
` The Cat and the Cock `
`
` The Dog in the Manger `
` `
` A DOG lay in a manger, and by his growling and snapping prevented `
` the oxen from eating the hay which had been placed for them. `
` "What a selfish Dog!" said one of them to his companions; "he `
` cannot eat the hay himself, and yet refuses to allow those to eat `
` who can." `
` `
` `
` The Fox and the Goat `
` `
` A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of `
` escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and `
` seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his `
` sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish `
` praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and `
` encouraging him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his `
` thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox `
` informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a `
` scheme for their common escape. "If," said he, "you will place `
` your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up `
` your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards." The Goat `
` readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying `
` himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of the `
` well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided `
` him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, `
` "You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head `
` as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down `
` before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to `
` dangers from which you had no means of escape." `
` `
` Look before you leap. `
` `
` `
` The Bear and the Two Travelers `
` `
` TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on `
` their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and `
` concealed himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he `
` must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came `
` up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held `
` his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he `
` could. The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch `
` a dead body. When he was quite gone, the other Traveler `
` descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of his friend `
` what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear. "He gave me this `
` advice," his companion replied. "Never travel with a friend who `
` deserts you at the approach of danger." `
` `
` Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. `
` `
` `
` The Oxen and the Axle-Trees `
` `
` A HEAVY WAGON was being dragged along a country lane by a team of `
` Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the `
` Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: "Hullo there! why `
` do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not `
` you, ought to cry out." `
` `
` Those who suffer most cry out the least. `
` `
` `
` The Thirsty Pigeon `
` `
` A PIGEON, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water `
` painted on a signboard. Not supposing it to be only a picture, `
` she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed `
` against the signboard, jarring herself terribly. Having broken `
` her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, and was caught by `
` one of the bystanders. `
` `
` Zeal should not outrun discretion. `
` `
` `
` The Raven and the Swan `
` `
` A RAVEN saw a Swan and desired to secure for himself the same `
` beautiful plumage. Supposing that the Swan's splendid white `
` color arose from his washing in the water in which he swam, the `
` Raven left the altars in the neighborhood where he picked up his `
` living, and took up residence in the lakes and pools. But `
` cleansing his feathers as often as he would, he could not change `
` their color, while through want of food he perished. `
` `
` Change of habit cannot alter Nature. `
` `
` `
` The Goat and the Goatherd `
` `
` A GOATHERD had sought to bring back a stray goat to his flock. `
` He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no `
` attention to the summons. At last the Goatherd threw a stone, `
` and breaking its horn, begged the Goat not to tell his master. `
` The Goat replied, "Why, you silly fellow, the horn will speak `
` though I be silent." `
` `
` Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be hid. `
` `
` `
` The Miser `
` `
` A MISER sold all that he had and bought a lump of gold, which he `
` buried in a hole in the ground by the side of an old wall and `
` went to look at daily. One of his workmen observed his frequent `
` visits to the spot and decided to watch his movements. He soon `
` discovered the secret of the hidden treasure, and digging down, `
` came to the lump of gold, and stole it. The Miser, on his next `
` visit, found the hole empty and began to tear his hair and to `
` make loud lamentations. A neighbor, seeing him overcome with `
` grief and learning the cause, said, "Pray do not grieve so; but `
` go and take a stone, and place it in the hole, and fancy that the `
` gold is still lying there. It will do you quite the same `
` service; for when the gold was there, you had it not, as you did `
` not make the slightest use of it." `
` `
` `
` The Sick Lion `
` `
` A LION, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself `
` with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice. He returned `
` to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking `
` care that his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts `
` expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the `
` Lion devoured them. After many of the beasts had thus `
` disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself `
` to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful `
` distance, and asked him how he was. "I am very middling," `
` replied the Lion, "but why do you stand without? Pray enter `
` within to talk with me." "No, thank you," said the Fox. "I `
` notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but `
` I see no trace of any returning." `
` `
` He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others. `
` `
` `
` The Horse and Groom `
` `
` A GROOM used to spend whole days in currycombing and rubbing down `
` his Horse, but at the same time stole his oats and sold them for `
` his own profit. "Alas!" said the Horse, "if you really wish me `
` to be in good condition, you should groom me less, and feed me `
` more." `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Lapdog `
` `
` A MAN had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The `
` Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, `
` just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was `
` a great favorite with his master, who often fondled him and `
` seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to `
` eat. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding `
` the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens `
` from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and `
` contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at `
` last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his `
` master's house, kicking up his heels without measure, and `
` frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump `
` about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the `
` table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then `
` attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The `
` servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of `
` their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his `
` stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned `
` to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented: "I have `
` brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to `
` labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day `
` like that useless little Lapdog!" `
` `
` `
` The Lioness `
` `
` A CONTROVERSY prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which `
` of the animals deserved the most credit for producing the `
` greatest number of whelps at a birth. They rushed clamorously `
` into the presence of the Lioness and demanded of her the `
` settlement of the dispute. "And you," they said, "how many sons `
` have you at a birth?' The Lioness laughed at them, and said: `
` "Why! I have only one; but that one is altogether a thoroughbred `
` Lion." `
` `
` The value is in the worth, not in the number. `
` `
` `
` The Boasting Traveler `
` `
` A MAN who had traveled in foreign lands boasted very much, on `
` returning to his own country, of the many wonderful and heroic `
` feats he had performed in the different places he had visited. `
` Among other things, he said that when he was at Rhodes he had `
` leaped to such a distance that no man of his day could leap `
` anywhere near him as to that, there were in Rhodes many persons `
` who saw him do it and whom he could call as witnesses. One of `
` the bystanders interrupted him, saying: "Now, my good man, if `
` this be all true there is no need of witnesses. Suppose this `
` to be Rhodes, and leap for us." `
` `
` `
` The Cat and the Cock `
`