Reading Help Aesop's Fables
`
` A CERTAIN MAN, detained by a storm in his country house, first of `
` all killed his sheep, and then his goats, for the maintenance of `
` his household. The storm still continuing, he was obliged to `
` slaughter his yoke oxen for food. On seeing this, his Dogs took `
` counsel together, and said, "It is time for us to be off, for if `
` the master spare not his oxen, who work for his gain, how can we `
` expect him to spare us?' `
` `
` He is not to be trusted as a friend who mistreats his own family. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Shepherds `
` `
` A WOLF, passing by, saw some Shepherds in a hut eating a haunch `
` of mutton for their dinner. Approaching them, he said, "What a `
` clamor you would raise if I were to do as you are doing!" `
` `
` `
` The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat `
` `
` THE DOLPHINS and Whales waged a fierce war with each other. When `
` the battle was at its height, a Sprat lifted its head out of the `
` waves and said that he would reconcile their differences if they `
` would accept him as an umpire. One of the Dolphins replied, "We `
` would far rather be destroyed in our battle with each other than `
` admit any interference from you in our affairs." `
` `
` `
` The Ass Carrying the Image `
` `
` AN ASS once carried through the streets of a city a famous wooden `
` Image, to be placed in one of its Temples. As he passed along, `
` the crowd made lowly prostration before the Image. The Ass, `
` thinking that they bowed their heads in token of respect for `
` himself, bristled up with pride, gave himself airs, and refused `
` to move another step. The driver, seeing him thus stop, laid his `
` whip lustily about his shoulders and said, "O you perverse `
` dull-head! it is not yet come to this, that men pay worship to an `
` Ass." `
` `
` They are not wise who give to themselves the credit due to `
` others. `
` `
` `
` The Two Travelers and the Axe `
` `
` TWO MEN were journeying together. One of them picked up an axe `
` that lay upon the path, and said, "I have found an axe." "Nay, my `
` friend," replied the other, "do not say 'I,' but 'We' have found `
` an axe." They had not gone far before they saw the owner of the `
` axe pursuing them, and he who had picked up the axe said, "We are `
` undone." "Nay," replied the other, "keep to your first mode of `
` speech, my friend; what you thought right then, think right now. `
` Say 'I,' not 'We' are undone." `
` `
` He who shares the danger ought to share the prize. `
` `
` `
` The Old Lion `
` `
` A LION, worn out with years and powerless from disease, lay on `
` the ground at the point of death. A Boar rushed upon him, and `
` avenged with a stroke of his tusks a long-remembered injury. `
` Shortly afterwards the Bull with his horns gored him as if he `
` were an enemy. When the Ass saw that the huge beast could be `
` assailed with impunity, he let drive at his forehead with his `
` heels. The expiring Lion said, "I have reluctantly brooked the `
` insults of the brave, but to be compelled to endure such `
` treatment from thee, a disgrace to Nature, is indeed to die a `
` double death." `
` `
` `
` The Old Hound `
` `
` A HOUND, who in the days of his youth and strength had never `
` yielded to any beast of the forest, encountered in his old age a `
` boar in the chase. He seized him boldly by the ear, but could `
` not retain his hold because of the decay of his teeth, so that `
` the boar escaped. His master, quickly coming up, was very much `
` disappointed, and fiercely abused the dog. The Hound looked up `
` and said, "It was not my fault. master: my spirit was as good as `
` ever, but I could not help my infirmities. I rather deserve to `
` be praised for what I have been, than to be blamed for what I `
` am." `
` `
` `
` The Bee and Jupiter `
` `
` A BEE from Mount Hymettus, the queen of the hive, ascended to `
` Olympus to present Jupiter some honey fresh from her combs. `
` Jupiter, delighted with the offering of honey, promised to give `
` whatever she should ask. She therefore besought him, saying, `
` "Give me, I pray thee, a sting, that if any mortal shall approach `
` to take my honey, I may kill him." Jupiter was much displeased, `
` for he loved the race of man, but could not refuse the request `
` because of his promise. He thus answered the Bee: "You shall `
` have your request, but it will be at the peril of your own life. `
` For if you use your sting, it shall remain in the wound you make, `
` and then you will die from the loss of it." `
` `
` Evil wishes, like chickens, come home to roost. `
` `
` `
` The Milk-Woman and Her Pail `
` `
` A FARMER'S daughter was carrying her Pail of milk from the field `
` to the farmhouse, when she fell a-musing. "The money for which `
` this milk will be sold, will buy at least three hundred eggs. `
` The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two hundred and `
` fifty chickens. The chickens will become ready for the market `
` when poultry will fetch the highest price, so that by the end of `
` the year I shall have money enough from my share to buy a new `
` gown. In this dress I will go to the Christmas parties, where `
` all the young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my head `
` and refuse them every one." At this moment she tossed her head in `
` unison with her thoughts, when down fell the milk pail to the `
` ground, and all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment. `
` `
` `
` The Seaside Travelers `
` `
` SOME TRAVELERS, journeying along the seashore, climbed to the `
` summit of a tall cliff, and looking over the sea, saw in the `
` distance what they thought was a large ship. They waited in the `
` hope of seeing it enter the harbor, but as the object on which `
` they looked was driven nearer to shore by the wind, they found `
` that it could at the most be a small boat, and not a ship. When `
` however it reached the beach, they discovered that it was only a `
` large faggot of sticks, and one of them said to his companions, `
` "We have waited for no purpose, for after all there is nothing to `
` see but a load of wood." `
` `
` Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities. `
` `
` `
` The Brazier and His Dog `
` `
` A BRAZIER had a little Dog, which was a great favorite with his `
` master, and his constant companion. While he hammered away at `
` his metals the Dog slept; but when, on the other hand, he went to `
` dinner and began to eat, the Dog woke up and wagged his tail, as `
` if he would ask for a share of his meal. His master one day, `
` pretending to be angry and shaking his stick at him, said, "You `
` wretched little sluggard! what shall I do to you? While I am `
` hammering on the anvil, you sleep on the mat; and when I begin to `
` eat after my toil, you wake up and wag your tail for food. Do `
` you not know that labor is the source of every blessing, and that `
` none but those who work are entitled to eat?' `
` `
` `
` The Ass and His Shadow `
` `
` A TRAVELER hired an Ass to convey him to a distant place. The `
` day being intensely hot, and the sun shining in its strength, the `
` Traveler stopped to rest, and sought shelter from the heat under `
` the Shadow of the Ass. As this afforded only protection for one, `
` and as the Traveler and the owner of the Ass both claimed it, a `
` violent dispute arose between them as to which of them had the `
` right to the Shadow. The owner maintained that he had let the `
` Ass only, and not his Shadow. The Traveler asserted that he had, `
` with the hire of the Ass, hired his Shadow also. The quarrel `
` proceeded from words to blows, and while the men fought, the Ass `
` galloped off. `
` `
` In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and His Masters `
` `
` AN ASS, belonging to an herb-seller who gave him too little food `
` and too much work made a petition to Jupiter to be released from `
` his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter, `
` after warning him that he would repent his request, caused him to `
` be sold to a tile-maker. Shortly afterwards, finding that he had `
` heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field, he `
` petitioned for another change of master. Jupiter, telling him `
` that it would be the last time that he could grant his request, `
` ordained that he be sold to a tanner. The Ass found that he had `
` fallen into worse hands, and noting his master's occupation, `
` said, groaning: "It would have been better for me to have been `
` either starved by the one, or to have been overworked by the `
` other of my former masters, than to have been bought by my `
` present owner, who will even after I am dead tan my hide, and `
` make me useful to him." `
` `
` `
` The Oak and the Reeds `
` `
` A VERY LARGE OAK was uprooted by the wind and thrown across a `
` stream. It fell among some Reeds, which it thus addressed: "I `
` wonder how you, who are so light and weak, are not entirely `
` crushed by these strong winds." They replied, "You fight and `
` contend with the wind, and consequently you are destroyed; while `
` we on the contrary bend before the least breath of air, and `
` therefore remain unbroken, and escape." `
` `
` Stoop to conquer. `
` `
` `
` The Fisherman and the Little Fish `
`
` A CERTAIN MAN, detained by a storm in his country house, first of `
` all killed his sheep, and then his goats, for the maintenance of `
` his household. The storm still continuing, he was obliged to `
` slaughter his yoke oxen for food. On seeing this, his Dogs took `
` counsel together, and said, "It is time for us to be off, for if `
` the master spare not his oxen, who work for his gain, how can we `
` expect him to spare us?' `
` `
` He is not to be trusted as a friend who mistreats his own family. `
` `
` `
` The Wolf and the Shepherds `
` `
` A WOLF, passing by, saw some Shepherds in a hut eating a haunch `
` of mutton for their dinner. Approaching them, he said, "What a `
` clamor you would raise if I were to do as you are doing!" `
` `
` `
` The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat `
` `
` THE DOLPHINS and Whales waged a fierce war with each other. When `
` the battle was at its height, a Sprat lifted its head out of the `
` waves and said that he would reconcile their differences if they `
` would accept him as an umpire. One of the Dolphins replied, "We `
` would far rather be destroyed in our battle with each other than `
` admit any interference from you in our affairs." `
` `
` `
` The Ass Carrying the Image `
` `
` AN ASS once carried through the streets of a city a famous wooden `
` Image, to be placed in one of its Temples. As he passed along, `
` the crowd made lowly prostration before the Image. The Ass, `
` thinking that they bowed their heads in token of respect for `
` himself, bristled up with pride, gave himself airs, and refused `
` to move another step. The driver, seeing him thus stop, laid his `
` whip lustily about his shoulders and said, "O you perverse `
` dull-head! it is not yet come to this, that men pay worship to an `
` Ass." `
` `
` They are not wise who give to themselves the credit due to `
` others. `
` `
` `
` The Two Travelers and the Axe `
` `
` TWO MEN were journeying together. One of them picked up an axe `
` that lay upon the path, and said, "I have found an axe." "Nay, my `
` friend," replied the other, "do not say 'I,' but 'We' have found `
` an axe." They had not gone far before they saw the owner of the `
` axe pursuing them, and he who had picked up the axe said, "We are `
` undone." "Nay," replied the other, "keep to your first mode of `
` speech, my friend; what you thought right then, think right now. `
` Say 'I,' not 'We' are undone." `
` `
` He who shares the danger ought to share the prize. `
` `
` `
` The Old Lion `
` `
` A LION, worn out with years and powerless from disease, lay on `
` the ground at the point of death. A Boar rushed upon him, and `
` avenged with a stroke of his tusks a long-remembered injury. `
` Shortly afterwards the Bull with his horns gored him as if he `
` were an enemy. When the Ass saw that the huge beast could be `
` assailed with impunity, he let drive at his forehead with his `
` heels. The expiring Lion said, "I have reluctantly brooked the `
` insults of the brave, but to be compelled to endure such `
` treatment from thee, a disgrace to Nature, is indeed to die a `
` double death." `
` `
` `
` The Old Hound `
` `
` A HOUND, who in the days of his youth and strength had never `
` yielded to any beast of the forest, encountered in his old age a `
` boar in the chase. He seized him boldly by the ear, but could `
` not retain his hold because of the decay of his teeth, so that `
` the boar escaped. His master, quickly coming up, was very much `
` disappointed, and fiercely abused the dog. The Hound looked up `
` and said, "It was not my fault. master: my spirit was as good as `
` ever, but I could not help my infirmities. I rather deserve to `
` be praised for what I have been, than to be blamed for what I `
` am." `
` `
` `
` The Bee and Jupiter `
` `
` A BEE from Mount Hymettus, the queen of the hive, ascended to `
` Olympus to present Jupiter some honey fresh from her combs. `
` Jupiter, delighted with the offering of honey, promised to give `
` whatever she should ask. She therefore besought him, saying, `
` "Give me, I pray thee, a sting, that if any mortal shall approach `
` to take my honey, I may kill him." Jupiter was much displeased, `
` for he loved the race of man, but could not refuse the request `
` because of his promise. He thus answered the Bee: "You shall `
` have your request, but it will be at the peril of your own life. `
` For if you use your sting, it shall remain in the wound you make, `
` and then you will die from the loss of it." `
` `
` Evil wishes, like chickens, come home to roost. `
` `
` `
` The Milk-Woman and Her Pail `
` `
` A FARMER'S daughter was carrying her Pail of milk from the field `
` to the farmhouse, when she fell a-musing. "The money for which `
` this milk will be sold, will buy at least three hundred eggs. `
` The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two hundred and `
` fifty chickens. The chickens will become ready for the market `
` when poultry will fetch the highest price, so that by the end of `
` the year I shall have money enough from my share to buy a new `
` gown. In this dress I will go to the Christmas parties, where `
` all the young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my head `
` and refuse them every one." At this moment she tossed her head in `
` unison with her thoughts, when down fell the milk pail to the `
` ground, and all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment. `
` `
` `
` The Seaside Travelers `
` `
` SOME TRAVELERS, journeying along the seashore, climbed to the `
` summit of a tall cliff, and looking over the sea, saw in the `
` distance what they thought was a large ship. They waited in the `
` hope of seeing it enter the harbor, but as the object on which `
` they looked was driven nearer to shore by the wind, they found `
` that it could at the most be a small boat, and not a ship. When `
` however it reached the beach, they discovered that it was only a `
` large faggot of sticks, and one of them said to his companions, `
` "We have waited for no purpose, for after all there is nothing to `
` see but a load of wood." `
` `
` Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities. `
` `
` `
` The Brazier and His Dog `
` `
` A BRAZIER had a little Dog, which was a great favorite with his `
` master, and his constant companion. While he hammered away at `
` his metals the Dog slept; but when, on the other hand, he went to `
` dinner and began to eat, the Dog woke up and wagged his tail, as `
` if he would ask for a share of his meal. His master one day, `
` pretending to be angry and shaking his stick at him, said, "You `
` wretched little sluggard! what shall I do to you? While I am `
` hammering on the anvil, you sleep on the mat; and when I begin to `
` eat after my toil, you wake up and wag your tail for food. Do `
` you not know that labor is the source of every blessing, and that `
` none but those who work are entitled to eat?' `
` `
` `
` The Ass and His Shadow `
` `
` A TRAVELER hired an Ass to convey him to a distant place. The `
` day being intensely hot, and the sun shining in its strength, the `
` Traveler stopped to rest, and sought shelter from the heat under `
` the Shadow of the Ass. As this afforded only protection for one, `
` and as the Traveler and the owner of the Ass both claimed it, a `
` violent dispute arose between them as to which of them had the `
` right to the Shadow. The owner maintained that he had let the `
` Ass only, and not his Shadow. The Traveler asserted that he had, `
` with the hire of the Ass, hired his Shadow also. The quarrel `
` proceeded from words to blows, and while the men fought, the Ass `
` galloped off. `
` `
` In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance. `
` `
` `
` The Ass and His Masters `
` `
` AN ASS, belonging to an herb-seller who gave him too little food `
` and too much work made a petition to Jupiter to be released from `
` his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter, `
` after warning him that he would repent his request, caused him to `
` be sold to a tile-maker. Shortly afterwards, finding that he had `
` heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field, he `
` petitioned for another change of master. Jupiter, telling him `
` that it would be the last time that he could grant his request, `
` ordained that he be sold to a tanner. The Ass found that he had `
` fallen into worse hands, and noting his master's occupation, `
` said, groaning: "It would have been better for me to have been `
` either starved by the one, or to have been overworked by the `
` other of my former masters, than to have been bought by my `
` present owner, who will even after I am dead tan my hide, and `
` make me useful to him." `
` `
` `
` The Oak and the Reeds `
` `
` A VERY LARGE OAK was uprooted by the wind and thrown across a `
` stream. It fell among some Reeds, which it thus addressed: "I `
` wonder how you, who are so light and weak, are not entirely `
` crushed by these strong winds." They replied, "You fight and `
` contend with the wind, and consequently you are destroyed; while `
` we on the contrary bend before the least breath of air, and `
` therefore remain unbroken, and escape." `
` `
` Stoop to conquer. `
` `
` `
` The Fisherman and the Little Fish `
`