Reading Help Aesop's Fables
The Cat and the Cock `
` `
` A CAT caught a Cock, and pondered how he might find a reasonable `
` excuse for eating him. He accused him of being a nuisance to men `
` by crowing in the nighttime and not permitting them to sleep. `
` The Cock defended himself by saying that he did this for the `
` benefit of men, that they might rise in time for their labors. `
` The Cat replied, "Although you abound in specious apologies, I `
` shall not remain supperless"; and he made a meal of him. `
` `
` `
` The Piglet, the Sheep, and the Goat `
` `
` A YOUNG PIG was shut up in a fold-yard with a Goat and a Sheep. `
` On one occasion when the shepherd laid hold of him, he grunted `
` and squeaked and resisted violently. The Sheep and the Goat `
` complained of his distressing cries, saying, "He often handles `
` us, and we do not cry out." To this the Pig replied, "Your `
` handling and mine are very different things. He catches you only `
` for your wool, or your milk, but he lays hold on me for my very `
` life." `
` `
` `
` The Boy and the Filberts `
` `
` A BOY put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped `
` as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out `
` his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the `
` pitcher. Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to `
` withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his `
` disappointment. A bystander said to him, "Be satisfied with half `
` the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand." `
` `
` Do not attempt too much at once. `
` `
` `
` The Lion in Love `
` `
` A LION demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The `
` Father, unwilling to grant, and yet afraid to refuse his request, `
` hit upon this expedient to rid himself of his importunities. He `
` expressed his willingness to accept the Lion as the suitor of his `
` daughter on one condition: that he should allow him to extract `
` his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his daughter was fearfully `
` afraid of both. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal. `
` But when the toothless, clawless Lion returned to repeat his `
` request, the Woodman, no longer afraid, set upon him with his `
` club, and drove him away into the forest. `
` `
` `
` The Laborer and the Snake `
` `
` A SNAKE, having made his hole close to the porch of a cottage, `
` inflicted a mortal bite on the Cottager's infant son. Grieving `
` over his loss, the Father resolved to kill the Snake. The next `
` day, when it came out of its hole for food, he took up his axe, `
` but by swinging too hastily, missed its head and cut off only the `
` end of its tail. After some time the Cottager, afraid that the `
` Snake would bite him also, endeavored to make peace, and placed `
` some bread and salt in the hole. The Snake, slightly hissing, `
` said: "There can henceforth be no peace between us; for whenever `
` I see you I shall remember the loss of my tail, and whenever you `
` see me you will be thinking of the death of your son." `
` `
` No one truly forgets injuries in the presence of him who caused `
` the injury. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing `
` `
` ONCE UPON A TIME a Wolf resolved to disguise his appearance in `
` order to secure food more easily. Encased in the skin of a `
` sheep, he pastured with the flock deceiving the shepherd by his `
` costume. In the evening he was shut up by the shepherd in the `
` fold; the gate was closed, and the entrance made thoroughly `
` secure. But the shepherd, returning to the fold during the night `
` to obtain meat for the next day, mistakenly caught up the Wolf `
` instead of a sheep, and killed him instantly. `
` `
` Harm seek. harm find. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Mule `
` `
` A MULETEER set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and `
` a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along `
` the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to `
` ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more `
` than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of `
` a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule `
` paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards `
` fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in `
` so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load `
` carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all `
` placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, `
` groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself: "I am treated `
` according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist `
` the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, `
` together with his burden, himself as well." `
` `
` `
` The Frogs Asking for a King `
` `
` THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent `
` ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. Perceiving their `
` simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs `
` were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid `
` themselves in the depths of the pool. But as soon as they `
` realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the `
` top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began `
` squatting on it in contempt. After some time they began to think `
` themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, `
` and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set `
` over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern `
` them. When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent `
` yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still `
` another King. Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, `
` sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there `
` were none left to croak upon the lake. `
` `
` `
` The Boys and the Frogs `
` `
` SOME BOYS, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the `
` water and began to pelt them with stones. They killed several of `
` them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head out of the water, `
` cried out: "Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is death to `
` us." `
` `
` `
` The Sick Stag `
` `
` A SICK STAG lay down in a quiet corner of its pasture-ground. `
` His companions came in great numbers to inquire after his health, `
` and each one helped himself to a share of the food which had been `
` placed for his use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but `
` from the failure of the means of living. `
` `
` Evil companions bring more hurt than profit. `
` `
` `
` The Salt Merchant and His Ass `
` `
` A PEDDLER drove his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. His road `
` home lay across a stream into which his Ass, making a false step, `
` fell by accident and rose up again with his load considerably `
` lighter, as the water melted the sack. The Peddler retraced his `
` steps and refilled his panniers with a larger quantity of salt `
` than before. When he came again to the stream, the Ass fell down `
` on purpose in the same spot, and, regaining his feet with the `
` weight of his load much diminished, brayed triumphantly as if he `
` had obtained what he desired. The Peddler saw through his trick `
` and drove him for the third time to the coast, where he bought a `
` cargo of sponges instead of salt. The Ass, again playing the `
` fool, fell down on purpose when he reached the stream, but the `
` sponges became swollen with water, greatly increasing his load. `
` And thus his trick recoiled on him, for he now carried on his `
` back a double burden. `
` `
` `
` The Oxen and the Butchers `
` `
` THE OXEN once upon a time sought to destroy the Butchers, who `
` practiced a trade destructive to their race. They assembled on a `
` certain day to carry out their purpose, and sharpened their horns `
` for the contest. But one of them who was exceedingly old (for `
` many a field had he plowed) thus spoke: "These Butchers, it is `
` true, slaughter us, but they do so with skillful hands, and with `
` no unnecessary pain. If we get rid of them, we shall fall into `
` the hands of unskillful operators, and thus suffer a double `
` death: for you may be assured, that though all the Butchers `
` should perish, yet will men never want beef." `
` `
` Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another. `
` `
` `
` The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox `
` `
` A LION, fatigued by the heat of a summer's day, fell fast asleep `
` in his den. A Mouse ran over his mane and ears and woke him from `
` his slumbers. He rose up and shook himself in great wrath, and `
` searched every corner of his den to find the Mouse. A Fox seeing `
` him said: "A fine Lion you are, to be frightened of a Mouse." `
` "'Tis not the Mouse I fear," said the Lion; "I resent his `
` familiarity and ill-breeding." `
` `
` Little liberties are great offenses. `
` `
` `
` The Vain Jackdaw `
` `
` JUPITER DETERMINED, it is said, to create a sovereign over the `
` birds, and made proclamation that on a certain day they should `
` all present themselves before him, when he would himself choose `
` the most beautiful among them to be king. The Jackdaw, knowing `
` his own ugliness, searched through the woods and fields, and `
` collected the feathers which had fallen from the wings of his `
` companions, and stuck them in all parts of his body, hoping `
` thereby to make himself the most beautiful of all. When the `
` appointed day arrived, and the birds had assembled before `
` Jupiter, the Jackdaw also made his appearance in his many `
`
` `
` A CAT caught a Cock, and pondered how he might find a reasonable `
` excuse for eating him. He accused him of being a nuisance to men `
` by crowing in the nighttime and not permitting them to sleep. `
` The Cock defended himself by saying that he did this for the `
` benefit of men, that they might rise in time for their labors. `
` The Cat replied, "Although you abound in specious apologies, I `
` shall not remain supperless"; and he made a meal of him. `
` `
` `
` The Piglet, the Sheep, and the Goat `
` `
` A YOUNG PIG was shut up in a fold-yard with a Goat and a Sheep. `
` On one occasion when the shepherd laid hold of him, he grunted `
` and squeaked and resisted violently. The Sheep and the Goat `
` complained of his distressing cries, saying, "He often handles `
` us, and we do not cry out." To this the Pig replied, "Your `
` handling and mine are very different things. He catches you only `
` for your wool, or your milk, but he lays hold on me for my very `
` life." `
` `
` `
` The Boy and the Filberts `
` `
` A BOY put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped `
` as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out `
` his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the `
` pitcher. Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to `
` withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his `
` disappointment. A bystander said to him, "Be satisfied with half `
` the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand." `
` `
` Do not attempt too much at once. `
` `
` `
` The Lion in Love `
` `
` A LION demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The `
` Father, unwilling to grant, and yet afraid to refuse his request, `
` hit upon this expedient to rid himself of his importunities. He `
` expressed his willingness to accept the Lion as the suitor of his `
` daughter on one condition: that he should allow him to extract `
` his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his daughter was fearfully `
` afraid of both. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal. `
` But when the toothless, clawless Lion returned to repeat his `
` request, the Woodman, no longer afraid, set upon him with his `
` club, and drove him away into the forest. `
` `
` `
` The Laborer and the Snake `
` `
` A SNAKE, having made his hole close to the porch of a cottage, `
` inflicted a mortal bite on the Cottager's infant son. Grieving `
` over his loss, the Father resolved to kill the Snake. The next `
` day, when it came out of its hole for food, he took up his axe, `
` but by swinging too hastily, missed its head and cut off only the `
` end of its tail. After some time the Cottager, afraid that the `
` Snake would bite him also, endeavored to make peace, and placed `
` some bread and salt in the hole. The Snake, slightly hissing, `
` said: "There can henceforth be no peace between us; for whenever `
` I see you I shall remember the loss of my tail, and whenever you `
` see me you will be thinking of the death of your son." `
` `
` No one truly forgets injuries in the presence of him who caused `
` the injury. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing `
` `
` ONCE UPON A TIME a Wolf resolved to disguise his appearance in `
` order to secure food more easily. Encased in the skin of a `
` sheep, he pastured with the flock deceiving the shepherd by his `
` costume. In the evening he was shut up by the shepherd in the `
` fold; the gate was closed, and the entrance made thoroughly `
` secure. But the shepherd, returning to the fold during the night `
` to obtain meat for the next day, mistakenly caught up the Wolf `
` instead of a sheep, and killed him instantly. `
` `
` Harm seek. harm find. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and the Mule `
` `
` A MULETEER set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and `
` a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along `
` the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to `
` ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more `
` than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of `
` a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule `
` paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards `
` fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in `
` so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load `
` carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all `
` placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, `
` groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself: "I am treated `
` according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist `
` the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, `
` together with his burden, himself as well." `
` `
` `
` The Frogs Asking for a King `
` `
` THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent `
` ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. Perceiving their `
` simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs `
` were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid `
` themselves in the depths of the pool. But as soon as they `
` realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the `
` top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began `
` squatting on it in contempt. After some time they began to think `
` themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, `
` and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set `
` over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern `
` them. When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent `
` yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still `
` another King. Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, `
` sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there `
` were none left to croak upon the lake. `
` `
` `
` The Boys and the Frogs `
` `
` SOME BOYS, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the `
` water and began to pelt them with stones. They killed several of `
` them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head out of the water, `
` cried out: "Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is death to `
` us." `
` `
` `
` The Sick Stag `
` `
` A SICK STAG lay down in a quiet corner of its pasture-ground. `
` His companions came in great numbers to inquire after his health, `
` and each one helped himself to a share of the food which had been `
` placed for his use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but `
` from the failure of the means of living. `
` `
` Evil companions bring more hurt than profit. `
` `
` `
` The Salt Merchant and His Ass `
` `
` A PEDDLER drove his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. His road `
` home lay across a stream into which his Ass, making a false step, `
` fell by accident and rose up again with his load considerably `
` lighter, as the water melted the sack. The Peddler retraced his `
` steps and refilled his panniers with a larger quantity of salt `
` than before. When he came again to the stream, the Ass fell down `
` on purpose in the same spot, and, regaining his feet with the `
` weight of his load much diminished, brayed triumphantly as if he `
` had obtained what he desired. The Peddler saw through his trick `
` and drove him for the third time to the coast, where he bought a `
` cargo of sponges instead of salt. The Ass, again playing the `
` fool, fell down on purpose when he reached the stream, but the `
` sponges became swollen with water, greatly increasing his load. `
` And thus his trick recoiled on him, for he now carried on his `
` back a double burden. `
` `
` `
` The Oxen and the Butchers `
` `
` THE OXEN once upon a time sought to destroy the Butchers, who `
` practiced a trade destructive to their race. They assembled on a `
` certain day to carry out their purpose, and sharpened their horns `
` for the contest. But one of them who was exceedingly old (for `
` many a field had he plowed) thus spoke: "These Butchers, it is `
` true, slaughter us, but they do so with skillful hands, and with `
` no unnecessary pain. If we get rid of them, we shall fall into `
` the hands of unskillful operators, and thus suffer a double `
` death: for you may be assured, that though all the Butchers `
` should perish, yet will men never want beef." `
` `
` Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another. `
` `
` `
` The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox `
` `
` A LION, fatigued by the heat of a summer's day, fell fast asleep `
` in his den. A Mouse ran over his mane and ears and woke him from `
` his slumbers. He rose up and shook himself in great wrath, and `
` searched every corner of his den to find the Mouse. A Fox seeing `
` him said: "A fine Lion you are, to be frightened of a Mouse." `
` "'Tis not the Mouse I fear," said the Lion; "I resent his `
` familiarity and ill-breeding." `
` `
` Little liberties are great offenses. `
` `
` `
` The Vain Jackdaw `
` `
` JUPITER DETERMINED, it is said, to create a sovereign over the `
` birds, and made proclamation that on a certain day they should `
` all present themselves before him, when he would himself choose `
` the most beautiful among them to be king. The Jackdaw, knowing `
` his own ugliness, searched through the woods and fields, and `
` collected the feathers which had fallen from the wings of his `
` companions, and stuck them in all parts of his body, hoping `
` thereby to make himself the most beautiful of all. When the `
` appointed day arrived, and the birds had assembled before `
` Jupiter, the Jackdaw also made his appearance in his many `
`