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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop's Fables, by Aesop These stories are for anyone anywhere at no cost at all. 1. The Wolf And The Lamb 2. The Bat And The Weasels 3. The Ass And The Grasshopper 4. The Lion And The Mouse . The !harcoal"Burner And The #uller $. The #ather And %is &ons '. The Bo( %untin) Locusts *. The !oc+ and the ,ewel -. The .in)dom of the Lion 1/. The Wolf and the !rane 11. The #isherman 0ipin) 12. %ercules and the Wa)oner 13. The Ants and the Grasshopper 14. The Tra1eler and %is 2o) 1 . The 2o) and the &hadow 1$. The Mole and %is Mother 1'. The %erdsman and the Lost Bull 1*. The %are and the Tortoise 1-. The 0ome)ranate3 Apple"Tree3 and Bramble 2/. The #armer and the &na+e 21. The #awn and %is Mother 22. The Bear and the #o4 23. The &wallow and the !row 24. The Mountain in Labor 2 . The Ass3 the #o43 and the Lion 2$. The Tortoise and the 5a)le 2'. The #lies and the %one("0ot 2*. The Man and the Lion 2-. The #armer and the !ranes 3/. The 2o) in the Man)er 31. The #o4 and the Goat 32. The Bear and the Two Tra1elers 33. The 64en and the A4le"Trees 34. The Thirst( 0i)eon 3 . The 7a1en and the &wan 3$. The Goat and the Goatherd 3'. The Miser 3*. The &ic+ Lion 3-. The %orse and Groom 4/. The Ass and the Lapdo) 41. The Lioness 42. The Boastin) Tra1eler 43. The !at and the !oc+ 44. The 0i)let3 the &heep3 and the Goat 4 . The Bo( and the #ilberts 4$. The Lion in Lo1e 4'. The Laborer and the &na+e 4*. The Wolf in &heep8s !lothin) 4-. The Ass and the Mule /. The #ro)s As+in) for a .in) 1. The Bo(s and the #ro)s 2. The &ic+ &ta) 3. The &alt Merchant and %is Ass

4. The 64en and the Butchers . The Lion3 the Mouse3 and the #o4 $. The 9ain ,ac+daw '. The Goatherd and the Wild Goats *. The Mischie1ous 2o) -. The #o4 Who %ad Lost %is Tail $/. The Bo( and the :ettles $1. The Man and %is Two &weethearts $2. The Astronomer $3. The Wol1es and the &heep $4. The 6ld Woman and the 0h(sician $ . The #i)htin) !oc+s and the 5a)le $$. The !har)er and the Miller $'. The #o4 and the Mon+e( $*. The %orse and %is 7ider $-. The Bell( and the Members '/. The 9ine and the Goat '1. ,upiter and the Mon+e( '2. The Widow and %er Little Maidens '3. The &hepherd8s Bo( and the Wolf '4. The !at and the Birds ' . The .id and the Wolf '$. The 64 and the #ro) ''. The &hepherd and the Wolf '*. The #ather and %is Two 2au)hters '-. The #armer and %is &ons */. The !rab and ;ts Mother *1. The %eifer and the 64 *2. The &wallow3 the &erpent3 and the !ourt of ,ustice *3. The Thief and %is Mother *4. The 6ld Man and 2eath * . The #ir"Tree and the Bramble *$. The Mouse3 the #ro)3 and the %aw+ *'. The Man Bitten b( a 2o) **. The Two 0ots *-. The Wolf and the &heep -/. The Aethiop -1. The #isherman and %is :ets -2. The %untsman and the #isherman -3. The 6ld Woman and the Wine",ar -4. The #o4 and the !row - . The Two 2o)s -$. The &ta) in the 64"&tall -'. The %aw+3 the .ite3 and the 0i)eons -*. The Widow and the &heep --. The Wild Ass and the Lion 1//. The 5a)le and the Arrow

The Wolf And The Lamb !"F, #eeting with a "a#b astray fro# the fol$, resol%e$ not to lay %iolent han$s on hi#, but to fin$ so#e plea to justify to the "a#b the olf's right to eat hi#. &e thus a$$resse$ hi#' ()irrah, last year you grossly insulte$ #e.( (*n$ee$,( bleate$ the "a#b in a #ournful tone of %oice, (* was not then born.( Then sai$ the olf, (+ou fee$ in #y pasture.( (,o, goo$ sir,( replie$ the "a#b, (* ha%e not yet taste$

grass.( Again sai$ the olf, (+ou $rink of #y well.( (,o,( e-clai#e$ the "a#b, (* ne%er yet $rank water, for as yet #y #other's #ilk is both foo$ an$ $rink to #e.( .pon which the olf sei/e$ hi# an$ ate hi# up, saying, ( ell0 * won't re#ain supperless, e%en though you refute e%ery one of #y i#putations.( The tyrant will always fin$ a prete-t for his tyranny. The Bat And The Weasels A BAT who fell upon the groun$ an$ was caught by a easel plea$e$ to be spare$ his life. The easel refuse$, saying that he was by nature the ene#y of all bir$s. The Bat assure$ hi# that he was not a bir$, but a #ouse, an$ thus was set free. )hortly afterwar$s the Bat again fell to the groun$ an$ was caught by another easel, who# he likewise entreate$ not to eat hi#. The easel sai$ that he ha$ a special hostility to #ice. The Bat assure$ hi# that he was not a #ouse, but a bat, an$ thus a secon$ ti#e escape$. *t is wise to turn circu#stances to goo$ account. The Ass And The Grasshopper A, A)) ha%ing hear$ so#e Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchante$1 an$, $esiring to possess the sa#e char#s of #elo$y, $e#an$e$ what sort of foo$ they li%e$ on to gi%e the# such beautiful %oices. They replie$, (The $ew.( The Ass resol%e$ that he woul$ li%e only upon $ew, an$ in a short ti#e $ie$ of hunger. The Lion And The Mouse A "*!, was awakene$ fro# sleep by a 2ouse running o%er his face. 3ising up angrily, he caught hi# an$ was about to kill hi#, when the 2ouse piteously entreate$, saying' (*f you woul$ only spare #y life, * woul$ be sure to repay your kin$ness.( The "ion laughe$ an$ let hi# go. *t happene$ shortly after this that the "ion was caught by so#e hunters, who boun$ hi# by strong ropes to the groun$. The 2ouse, recogni/ing his roar, ca#e an$ gnawe$ the rope with his teeth, an$ set hi# free, e-clai#ing' (+ou ri$icule$ the i$ea of #y e%er being able to help you, not e-pecting to recei%e fro# #e any repay#ent of your fa%or1 now you know that it is possible for e%en a 2ouse to confer benefits on a "ion.( The !harcoal"Burner And The #uller A 4&A34!A"5B.3,E3 carrie$ on his tra$e in his own house. !ne $ay he #et a frien$, a Fuller, an$ entreate$ hi# to co#e an$ li%e with hi#, saying that they shoul$ be far better neighbors an$ that their housekeeping e-penses woul$ be lessene$. The Fuller replie$, (The arrange#ent is i#possible as far as * a# concerne$, for whate%er * shoul$ whiten, you woul$ i##e$iately blacken again with your charcoal.( "ike will $raw like. The #ather And %is &ons A FAT&E3 ha$ a fa#ily of sons who were perpetually 6uarreling a#ong the#sel%es. hen he faile$ to heal their $isputes by his e-hortations, he $eter#ine$ to gi%e the# a practical illustration of the e%ils of $isunion1 an$ for this purpose he one $ay tol$ the# to bring hi# a bun$le of sticks. hen they ha$ $one so, he place$ the faggot into the han$s of each of the# in succession, an$ or$ere$ the# to break it in pieces. They trie$ with all their strength, an$ were not able to $o it. &e ne-t opene$ the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, an$ again put the# into his sons' han$s, upon which they broke the# easily. &e then a$$resse$ the# in these wor$s' (2y sons, if you are of one #in$,

an$ unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjure$ by all the atte#pts of your ene#ies1 but if you are $i%i$e$ a#ong yoursel%es, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.( The Bo( %untin) Locusts A B!+ was hunting for locusts. &e ha$ caught a goo$ly nu#ber, when he saw a )corpion, an$ #istaking hi# for a locust, reache$ out his han$ to take hi#. The )corpion, showing his sting, sai$' (*f you ha$ but touche$ #e, #y frien$, you woul$ ha%e lost #e, an$ all your locusts too0( The !oc+ and the ,ewel A 4!47, scratching for foo$ for hi#self an$ his hens, foun$ a precious stone an$ e-clai#e$' (*f your owner ha$ foun$ thee, an$ not *, he woul$ ha%e taken thee up, an$ ha%e set thee in thy first estate1 but * ha%e foun$ thee for no purpose. * woul$ rather ha%e one barleycorn than all the jewels in the worl$.( The .in)dom of the Lion T&E BEA)T) of the fiel$ an$ forest ha$ a "ion as their king. &e was neither wrathful, cruel, nor tyrannical, but just an$ gentle as a king coul$ be. 8uring his reign he #a$e a royal procla#ation for a general asse#bly of all the bir$s an$ beasts, an$ $rew up con$itions for a uni%ersal league, in which the olf an$ the "a#b, the Panther an$ the 7i$, the Tiger an$ the )tag, the 8og an$ the &are, shoul$ li%e together in perfect peace an$ a#ity. The &are sai$, (!h, how * ha%e longe$ to see this $ay, in which the weak shall take their place with i#punity by the si$e of the strong.( An$ after the &are sai$ this, he ran for his life. The Wolf and the !rane A !"F who ha$ a bone stuck in his throat hire$ a 4rane, for a large su#, to put her hea$ into his #outh an$ $raw out the bone. hen the 4rane ha$ e-tracte$ the bone an$ $e#an$e$ the pro#ise$ pay#ent, the olf, grinning an$ grin$ing his teeth, e-clai#e$' ( hy, you ha%e surely alrea$y ha$ a sufficient reco#pense, in ha%ing been per#itte$ to $raw out your hea$ in safety fro# the #outh an$ jaws of a wolf.( *n ser%ing the wicke$, e-pect no rewar$, an$ be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

The #isherman 0ipin) A F*)&E32A, skille$ in #usic took his flute an$ his nets to the seashore. )tan$ing on a projecting rock, he playe$ se%eral tunes in the hope that the fish, attracte$ by his #elo$y, woul$ of their own accor$ $ance into his net, which he ha$ place$ below. At last, ha%ing long waite$ in %ain, he lai$ asi$e his flute, an$ casting his net into the sea, #a$e an e-cellent haul of fish. hen he saw the# leaping about in the net upon the rock he sai$' (! you #ost per%erse creatures, when * pipe$ you woul$ not $ance, but now that * ha%e cease$ you $o so #errily.( %ercules and the Wa)oner A 4A3TE3 was $ri%ing a wagon along a country lane, when the wheels sank $own $eep into a rut. The rustic $ri%er, stupefie$ an$ aghast, stoo$ looking at the wagon, an$ $i$ nothing but utter lou$ cries to &ercules to co#e an$ help hi#. &ercules, it is sai$, appeare$ an$ thus a$$resse$

hi#' (Put your shoul$ers to the wheels, #y #an. Goa$ on your bullocks, an$ ne%er #ore pray to #e for help, until you ha%e $one your best to help yourself, or $epen$ upon it you will henceforth pray in %ain.( )elf5help is the best help. The Ants and the Grasshopper T&E A,T) were spen$ing a fine winter's $ay $rying grain collecte$ in the su##erti#e. A Grasshopper, perishing with fa#ine, passe$ by an$ earnestly begge$ for a little foo$. The Ants in6uire$ of hi#, ( hy $i$ you not treasure up foo$ $uring the su##er9( &e replie$, (* ha$ not leisure enough. * passe$ the $ays in singing.( They then sai$ in $erision' (*f you were foolish enough to sing all the su##er, you #ust $ance supperless to be$ in the winter.( The Tra1eler and %is 2o) A T3A:E"E3 about to set out on a journey saw his 8og stan$ at the $oor stretching hi#self. &e aske$ hi# sharply' ( hy $o you stan$ there gaping9 E%erything is rea$y but you, so co#e with #e instantly.( The 8og, wagging his tail, replie$' (!, #aster0 * a# 6uite rea$y1 it is you for who# * a# waiting.( The loiterer often bla#es $elay on his #ore acti%e frien$. The 2o) and the &hadow A 8!G, crossing a bri$ge o%er a strea# with a piece of flesh in his #outh, saw his own sha$ow in the water an$ took it for that of another 8og, with a piece of #eat $ouble his own in si/e. &e i##e$iately let go of his own, an$ fiercely attacke$ the other 8og to get his larger piece fro# hi#. &e thus lost both' that which he graspe$ at in the water, because it was a sha$ow1 an$ his own, because the strea# swept it away. The Mole and %is Mother A 2!"E, a creature blin$ fro# birth, once sai$ to his 2other' (* a# sure than * can see, 2other0( *n the $esire to pro%e to hi# his #istake, his 2other place$ before hi# a few grains of frankincense, an$ aske$, ( hat is it9( The young 2ole sai$, (*t is a pebble.( &is 2other e-clai#e$' (2y son, * a# afrai$ that you are not only blin$, but that you ha%e lost your sense of s#ell.( The %erdsman and the Lost Bull A &E38)2A, ten$ing his flock in a forest lost a Bull5calf fro# the fol$. After a long an$ fruitless search, he #a$e a %ow that, if he coul$ only $isco%er the thief who ha$ stolen the 4alf, he woul$ offer a la#b in sacrifice to &er#es, Pan, an$ the Guar$ian 8eities of the forest. ,ot long afterwar$s, as he ascen$e$ a s#all hillock, he saw at its foot a "ion fee$ing on the 4alf. Terrifie$ at the sight, he lifte$ his eyes an$ his han$s to hea%en, an$ sai$' (;ust now * %owe$ to offer a la#b to the Guar$ian 8eities of the forest if * coul$ only fin$ out who ha$ robbe$ #e1 but now that * ha%e $isco%ere$ the thief, * woul$ willingly a$$ a full5grown Bull to the 4alf * ha%e lost, if * #ay only secure #y own escape fro# hi# in safety.( The %are and the Tortoise A &A3E one $ay ri$icule$ the short feet an$ slow pace of the Tortoise, who replie$, laughing' (Though you be swift as the win$, * will beat you in a race.( The &are, belie%ing her assertion to be si#ply i#possible, assente$ to the proposal1 an$ they agree$ that the Fo- shoul$ choose the course an$ fi- the goal. !n the $ay appointe$ for the race the two

starte$ together. The Tortoise ne%er for a #o#ent stoppe$, but went on with a slow but stea$y pace straight to the en$ of the course. The &are, lying $own by the waysi$e, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, an$ #o%ing as fast as he coul$, he saw the Tortoise ha$ reache$ the goal, an$ was co#fortably $o/ing after her fatigue. )low but stea$y wins the race. The 0ome)ranate3 Apple"Tree3 and Bramble T&E P!2EG3A,ATE an$ Apple5Tree $ispute$ as to which was the #ost beautiful. hen their strife was at its height, a Bra#ble fro# the neighboring he$ge lifte$ up its %oice, an$ sai$ in a boastful tone' (Pray, #y $ear frien$s, in #y presence at least cease fro# such %ain $isputings.( The #armer and the &tor+ A FA32E3 place$ nets on his newly5sown plowlan$s an$ caught a nu#ber of 4ranes, which ca#e to pick up his see$. ith the# he trappe$ a )tork that ha$ fracture$ his leg in the net an$ was earnestly beseeching the Far#er to spare his life. (Pray sa%e #e, 2aster,( he sai$, (an$ let #e go free this once. 2y broken li#b shoul$ e-cite your pity. Besi$es, * a# no 4rane, * a# a )tork, a bir$ of e-cellent character1 an$ see how * lo%e an$ sla%e for #y father an$ #other. "ook too, at #y feathers55they are not the least like those of a 4rane.( The Far#er laughe$ alou$ an$ sai$, (*t #ay be all as you say, * only know this' * ha%e taken you with these robbers, the 4ranes, an$ you #ust $ie in their co#pany.( Bir$s of a feather flock together. The #armer and the &na+e !,E *,TE3 a Far#er foun$ a )nake stiff an$ fro/en with col$. &e ha$ co#passion on it, an$ taking it up, place$ it in his boso#. The )nake was 6uickly re%i%e$ by the war#th, an$ resu#ing its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on hi# a #ortal woun$. (!h,( crie$ the Far#er with his last breath, (* a# rightly ser%e$ for pitying a scoun$rel.( The greatest kin$ness will not bin$ the ungrateful. The #awn and %is Mother A +!.,G FA , once sai$ to his 2other, (+ou are larger than a $og, an$ swifter, an$ #ore use$ to running, an$ you ha%e your horns as a $efense1 why, then, ! 2other0 $o the houn$s frighten you so9( )he s#ile$, an$ sai$' (* know full well, #y son, that all you say is true. * ha%e the a$%antages you #ention, but when * hear e%en the bark of a single $og * feel rea$y to faint, an$ fly away as fast as * can.( ,o argu#ents will gi%e courage to the cowar$. The Bear and the #o4 A BEA3 boaste$ %ery #uch of his philanthropy, saying that of all ani#als he was the #ost ten$er in his regar$ for #an, for he ha$ such respect for hi# that he woul$ not e%en touch his $ea$ bo$y. A Fo- hearing these wor$s sai$ with a s#ile to the Bear, (!h0 that you woul$ eat the $ea$ an$ not the li%ing.( The &wallow and the !row T&E ) A""! an$ the 4row ha$ a contention about their plu#age. The 4row put an en$ to the $ispute by saying, (+our feathers are all %ery well in the spring, but #ine protect #e against the winter.( Fair weather frien$s are not worth #uch. The Mountain in Labor A 2!.,TA*, was once greatly agitate$. "ou$ groans an$ noises were hear$,

an$ crow$s of people ca#e fro# all parts to see what was the #atter. hile they were asse#ble$ in an-ious e-pectation of so#e terrible cala#ity, out ca#e a 2ouse. 8on't #ake #uch a$o about nothing. The Ass3 the #o43 and the Lion T&E A)) an$ the Fo-, ha%ing entere$ into partnership together for their #utual protection, went out into the forest to hunt. They ha$ not procee$e$ far when they #et a "ion. The Fo-, seeing i##inent $anger, approache$ the "ion an$ pro#ise$ to contri%e for hi# the capture of the Ass if the "ion woul$ ple$ge his wor$ not to har# the Fo-. Then, upon assuring the Ass that he woul$ not be injure$, the Fo- le$ hi# to a $eep pit an$ arrange$ that he shoul$ fall into it. The "ion, seeing that the Ass was secure$, i##e$iately clutche$ the Fo-, an$ attacke$ the Ass at his leisure. The Tortoise and the 5a)le A T!3T!*)E, la/ily basking in the sun, co#plaine$ to the sea5bir$s of her har$ fate, that no one woul$ teach her to fly. An Eagle, ho%ering near, hear$ her la#entation an$ $e#an$e$ what rewar$ she woul$ gi%e hi# if he woul$ take her aloft an$ float her in the air. (* will gi%e you,( she sai$, (all the riches of the 3e$ )ea.( (* will teach you to fly then,( sai$ the Eagle1 an$ taking her up in his talons he carrie$ her al#ost to the clou$s su$$enly he let her go, an$ she fell on a lofty #ountain, $ashing her shell to pieces. The Tortoise e-clai#e$ in the #o#ent of $eath' (* ha%e $eser%e$ #y present fate1 for what ha$ * to $o with wings an$ clou$s, who can with $ifficulty #o%e about on the earth9( *f #en ha$ all they wishe$, they woul$ be often ruine$.

The #lies and the %one("0ot A ,.2BE3 of Flies were attracte$ to a jar of honey which ha$ been o%erturne$ in a housekeeper's roo#, an$ placing their feet in it, ate gree$ily. Their feet, howe%er, beca#e so s#eare$ with the honey that they coul$ not use their wings, nor release the#sel%es, an$ were suffocate$. ;ust as they were e-piring, they e-clai#e$, (! foolish creatures that we are, for the sake of a little pleasure we ha%e $estroye$ oursel%es.( Pleasure bought with pains, hurts. The Man and the Lion A 2A, an$ a "ion tra%ele$ together through the forest. They soon began to boast of their respecti%e superiority to each other in strength an$ prowess. As they were $isputing, they passe$ a statue car%e$ in stone, which represente$ (a "ion strangle$ by a 2an.( The tra%eler pointe$ to it an$ sai$' ()ee there0 &ow strong we are, an$ how we pre%ail o%er e%en the king of beasts.( The "ion replie$' (This statue was #a$e by one of you #en. *f we "ions knew how to erect statues, you woul$ see the 2an place$ un$er the paw of the "ion.( !ne story is goo$, till another is tol$. The #armer and the !ranes )!2E 43A,E) #a$e their fee$ing groun$s on so#e plowlan$s newly sown with wheat. For a long ti#e the Far#er, bran$ishing an e#pty sling, chase$ the# away by the terror he inspire$1 but when the bir$s foun$ that the sling was only swung in the air, they cease$ to take any notice of it an$ woul$ not #o%e. The Far#er, on seeing this, charge$ his sling with stones, an$ kille$ a great nu#ber. The re#aining bir$s at once forsook

his fiel$s, crying to each other, (*t is ti#e for us to be off to "iliput' for this #an is no longer content to scare us, but begins to show us in earnest what he can $o.( *f wor$s suffice not, blows #ust follow. The 2o) in the Man)er A 8!G lay in a #anger, an$ by his growling an$ snapping pre%ente$ the o-en fro# eating the hay which ha$ been place$ for the#. ( hat a selfish 8og0( sai$ one of the# to his co#panions1 (he cannot eat the hay hi#self, an$ yet refuses to allow those to eat who can.( The #o4 and the Goat A F!< one $ay fell into a $eep well an$ coul$ fin$ no #eans of escape. A Goat, o%erco#e with thirst, ca#e to the sa#e well, an$ seeing the Fo-, in6uire$ if the water was goo$. 4oncealing his sa$ plight un$er a #erry guise, the Fo- in$ulge$ in a la%ish praise of the water, saying it was e-cellent beyon$ #easure, an$ encouraging hi# to $escen$. The Goat, #in$ful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly ju#pe$ $own, but just as he $rank, the Fo- infor#e$ hi# of the $ifficulty they were both in an$ suggeste$ a sche#e for their co##on escape. (*f,( sai$ he, (you will place your forefeet upon the wall an$ ben$ your hea$, * will run up your back an$ escape, an$ will help you out afterwar$s.( The Goat rea$ily assente$ an$ the Fo- leape$ upon his back. )tea$ying hi#self with the Goat's horns, he safely reache$ the #outh of the well an$ #a$e off as fast as he coul$. hen the Goat upbrai$e$ hi# for breaking his pro#ise, he turne$ aroun$ an$ crie$ out, (+ou foolish ol$ fellow0 *f you ha$ as #any brains in your hea$ as you ha%e hairs in your bear$, you woul$ ne%er ha%e gone $own before you ha$ inspecte$ the way up, nor ha%e e-pose$ yourself to $angers fro# which you ha$ no #eans of escape.( "ook before you leap. The Bear and the Two Tra1elers T ! 2E, were tra%eling together, when a Bear su$$enly #et the# on their path. !ne of the# cli#be$ up 6uickly into a tree an$ conceale$ hi#self in the branches. The other, seeing that he #ust be attacke$, fell flat on the groun$, an$ when the Bear ca#e up an$ felt hi# with his snout, an$ s#elt hi# all o%er, he hel$ his breath, an$ feigne$ the appearance of $eath as #uch as he coul$. The Bear soon left hi#, for it is sai$ he will not touch a $ea$ bo$y. hen he was 6uite gone, the other Tra%eler $escen$e$ fro# the tree, an$ jocularly in6uire$ of his frien$ what it was the Bear ha$ whispere$ in his ear. (&e ga%e #e this a$%ice,( his co#panion replie$. (,e%er tra%el with a frien$ who $eserts you at the approach of $anger.( 2isfortune tests the sincerity of frien$s. The 64en and the A4le"Trees A &EA:+ AG!, was being $ragge$ along a country lane by a tea# of !-en. The A-le5trees groane$ an$ creake$ terribly1 whereupon the !-en, turning roun$, thus a$$resse$ the wheels' (&ullo there0 why $o you #ake so #uch noise9 e bear all the labor, an$ we, not you, ought to cry out.( Those who suffer #ost cry out the least. The Thirst( 0i)eon A P*GE!,, oppresse$ by e-cessi%e thirst, saw a goblet of water painte$ on a signboar$. ,ot supposing it to be only a picture, she flew towar$s it with a lou$ whir an$ unwittingly $ashe$ against the signboar$, jarring herself terribly. &a%ing broken her wings by the blow, she fell to the groun$, an$ was caught by one of the bystan$ers.

=eal shoul$ not outrun $iscretion. The 7a1en and the &wan A 3A:E, saw a )wan an$ $esire$ to secure for hi#self the sa#e beautiful plu#age. )upposing that the )wan's splen$i$ white color arose fro# his washing in the water in which he swa#, the 3a%en left the altars in the neighborhoo$ where he picke$ up his li%ing, an$ took up resi$ence in the lakes an$ pools. But cleansing his feathers as often as he woul$, he coul$ not change their color, while through want of foo$ he perishe$. 4hange of habit cannot alter ,ature. The Goat and the Goatherd A G!AT&E38 ha$ sought to bring back a stray goat to his flock. &e whistle$ an$ soun$e$ his horn in %ain1 the straggler pai$ no attention to the su##ons. At last the Goather$ threw a stone, an$ breaking its horn, begge$ the Goat not to tell his #aster. The Goat replie$, ( hy, you silly fellow, the horn will speak though * be silent.( 8o not atte#pt to hi$e things which cannot be hi$.

The Miser A 2*)E3 sol$ all that he ha$ an$ bought a lu#p of gol$, which he burie$ in a hole in the groun$ by the si$e of an ol$ wall an$ went to look at $aily. !ne of his work#en obser%e$ his fre6uent %isits to the spot an$ $eci$e$ to watch his #o%e#ents. &e soon $isco%ere$ the secret of the hi$$en treasure, an$ $igging $own, ca#e to the lu#p of gol$, an$ stole it. The 2iser, on his ne-t %isit, foun$ the hole e#pty an$ began to tear his hair an$ to #ake lou$ la#entations. A neighbor, seeing hi# o%erco#e with grief an$ learning the cause, sai$, (Pray $o not grie%e so1 but go an$ take a stone, an$ place it in the hole, an$ fancy that the gol$ is still lying there. *t will $o you 6uite the sa#e ser%ice1 for when the gol$ was there, you ha$ it not, as you $i$ not #ake the slightest use of it.( The &ic+ Lion A "*!,, unable fro# ol$ age an$ infir#ities to pro%i$e hi#self with foo$ by force, resol%e$ to $o so by artifice. &e returne$ to his $en, an$ lying $own there, preten$e$ to be sick, taking care that his sickness shoul$ be publicly known. The beasts e-presse$ their sorrow, an$ ca#e one by one to his $en, where the "ion $e%oure$ the#. After #any of the beasts ha$ thus $isappeare$, the Fo- $isco%ere$ the trick an$ presenting hi#self to the "ion, stoo$ on the outsi$e of the ca%e, at a respectful $istance, an$ aske$ hi# how he was. (* a# %ery #i$$ling,( replie$ the "ion, (but why $o you stan$ without9 Pray enter within to talk with #e.( (,o, thank you,( sai$ the Fo-. (* notice that there are #any prints of feet entering your ca%e, but * see no trace of any returning.( &e is wise who is warne$ by the #isfortunes of others. The %orse and Groom A G3!!2 use$ to spen$ whole $ays in curryco#bing an$ rubbing $own his &orse, but at the sa#e ti#e stole his oats an$ sol$ the# for his own profit. (Alas0( sai$ the &orse, (if you really wish #e to be in goo$ con$ition, you shoul$ groo# #e less, an$ fee$ #e #ore.( The Ass and the Lapdo) A 2A, ha$ an Ass, an$ a 2altese "ap$og, a %ery great beauty. The Ass

was left in a stable an$ ha$ plenty of oats an$ hay to eat, just as any other Ass woul$. The "ap$og knew #any tricks an$ was a great fa%orite with his #aster, who often fon$le$ hi# an$ sel$o# went out to $ine without bringing hi# ho#e so#e ti$bit to eat. The Ass, on the contrary, ha$ #uch work to $o in grin$ing the corn5#ill an$ in carrying woo$ fro# the forest or bur$ens fro# the far#. &e often la#ente$ his own har$ fate an$ contraste$ it with the lu-ury an$ i$leness of the "ap$og, till at last one $ay he broke his cor$s an$ halter, an$ gallope$ into his #aster's house, kicking up his heels without #easure, an$ frisking an$ fawning as well as he coul$. &e ne-t trie$ to ju#p about his #aster as he ha$ seen the "ap$og $o, but he broke the table an$ s#ashe$ all the $ishes upon it to ato#s. &e then atte#pte$ to lick his #aster, an$ ju#pe$ upon his back. The ser%ants, hearing the strange hubbub an$ percei%ing the $anger of their #aster, 6uickly relie%e$ hi#, an$ $ro%e out the Ass to his stable with kicks an$ clubs an$ cuffs. The Ass, as he returne$ to his stall beaten nearly to $eath, thus la#ente$' (* ha%e brought it all on #yself0 hy coul$ * not ha%e been contente$ to labor with #y co#panions, an$ not wish to be i$le all the $ay like that useless little "ap$og0( The Lioness A 4!,T3!:E3)+ pre%aile$ a#ong the beasts of the fiel$ as to which of the ani#als $eser%e$ the #ost cre$it for pro$ucing the greatest nu#ber of whelps at a birth. They rushe$ cla#orously into the presence of the "ioness an$ $e#an$e$ of her the settle#ent of the $ispute. (An$ you,( they sai$, (how #any sons ha%e you at a birth9( The "ioness laughe$ at the#, an$ sai$' ( hy0 * ha%e only one1 but that one is altogether a thoroughbre$ "ion.( The %alue is in the worth, not in the nu#ber. The Boastin) Tra1eler A 2A, who ha$ tra%ele$ in foreign lan$s boaste$ %ery #uch, on returning to his own country, of the #any won$erful an$ heroic feats he ha$ perfor#e$ in the $ifferent places he ha$ %isite$. A#ong other things, he sai$ that when he was at 3ho$es he ha$ leape$ to such a $istance that no #an of his $ay coul$ leap anywhere near hi# as to that, there were in 3ho$es #any persons who saw hi# $o it an$ who# he coul$ call as witnesses. !ne of the bystan$ers interrupte$ hi#, saying' (,ow, #y goo$ #an, if this be all true there is no nee$ of witnesses. )uppose this to be 3ho$es, an$ leap for us.( The !at and the !oc+ A 4AT caught a 4ock, an$ pon$ere$ how he #ight fin$ a reasonable e-cuse for eating hi#. &e accuse$ hi# of being a nuisance to #en by crowing in the nightti#e an$ not per#itting the# to sleep. The 4ock $efen$e$ hi#self by saying that he $i$ this for the benefit of #en, that they #ight rise in ti#e for their labors. The 4at replie$, (Although you aboun$ in specious apologies, * shall not re#ain supperless1( an$ he #a$e a #eal of hi#. The 0i)let3 the &heep3 and the Goat A +!.,G P*G was shut up in a fol$5yar$ with a Goat an$ a )heep. !n one occasion when the shepher$ lai$ hol$ of hi#, he grunte$ an$ s6ueake$ an$ resiste$ %iolently. The )heep an$ the Goat co#plaine$ of his $istressing cries, saying, (&e often han$les us, an$ we $o not cry out.( To this the Pig replie$, (+our han$ling an$ #ine are %ery $ifferent things. &e catches you only for your wool, or your #ilk, but he lays hol$ on #e for #y %ery life.(

The Bo( and the #ilberts A B!+ put his han$ into a pitcher full of filberts. &e graspe$ as #any as he coul$ possibly hol$, but when he trie$ to pull out his han$, he was pre%ente$ fro# $oing so by the neck of the pitcher. .nwilling to lose his filberts, an$ yet unable to with$raw his han$, he burst into tears an$ bitterly la#ente$ his $isappoint#ent. A bystan$er sai$ to hi#, (Be satisfie$ with half the 6uantity, an$ you will rea$ily $raw out your han$.( 8o not atte#pt too #uch at once.

The Lion in Lo1e A "*!, $e#an$e$ the $aughter of a woo$cutter in #arriage. The Father, unwilling to grant, an$ yet afrai$ to refuse his re6uest, hit upon this e-pe$ient to ri$ hi#self of his i#portunities. &e e-presse$ his willingness to accept the "ion as the suitor of his $aughter on one con$ition' that he shoul$ allow hi# to e-tract his teeth, an$ cut off his claws, as his $aughter was fearfully afrai$ of both. The "ion cheerfully assente$ to the proposal. But when the toothless, clawless "ion returne$ to repeat his re6uest, the oo$#an, no longer afrai$, set upon hi# with his club, an$ $ro%e hi# away into the forest. The Laborer and the &na+e A ),A7E, ha%ing #a$e his hole close to the porch of a cottage, inflicte$ a #ortal bite on the 4ottager's infant son. Grie%ing o%er his loss, the Father resol%e$ to kill the )nake. The ne-t $ay, when it ca#e out of its hole for foo$, he took up his a-e, but by swinging too hastily, #isse$ its hea$ an$ cut off only the en$ of its tail. After so#e ti#e the 4ottager, afrai$ that the )nake woul$ bite hi# also, en$ea%ore$ to #ake peace, an$ place$ so#e brea$ an$ salt in the hole. The )nake, slightly hissing, sai$' (There can henceforth be no peace between us1 for whene%er * see you * shall re#e#ber the loss of #y tail, an$ whene%er you see #e you will be thinking of the $eath of your son.( ,o one truly forgets injuries in the presence of hi# who cause$ the injury. The Wolf in &heep8s !lothin) !,4E .P!, A T*2E a olf resol%e$ to $isguise his appearance in or$er to secure foo$ #ore easily. Encase$ in the skin of a sheep, he pasture$ with the flock $ecei%ing the shepher$ by his costu#e. *n the e%ening he was shut up by the shepher$ in the fol$1 the gate was close$, an$ the entrance #a$e thoroughly secure. But the shepher$, returning to the fol$ $uring the night to obtain #eat for the ne-t $ay, #istakenly caught up the olf instea$ of a sheep, an$ kille$ hi# instantly. &ar# seek, har# fin$. The Ass and the Mule A 2."ETEE3 set forth on a journey, $ri%ing before hi# an Ass an$ a 2ule, both well la$en. The Ass, as long as he tra%ele$ along the plain, carrie$ his loa$ with ease, but when he began to ascen$ the steep path of the #ountain, felt his loa$ to be #ore than he coul$ bear. &e entreate$ his co#panion to relie%e hi# of a s#all portion, that he #ight carry ho#e the rest1 but the 2ule pai$ no attention to the re6uest. The Ass shortly afterwar$s fell $own $ea$ un$er his bur$en. ,ot knowing what else to $o in so wil$ a region, the 2uleteer place$ upon the 2ule the

loa$ carrie$ by the Ass in a$$ition to his own, an$ at the top of all place$ the hi$e of the Ass, after he ha$ skinne$ hi#. The 2ule, groaning beneath his hea%y bur$en, sai$ to hi#self' (* a# treate$ accor$ing to #y $eserts. *f * ha$ only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his nee$, * shoul$ not now be bearing, together with his bur$en, hi#self as well.(

The #ro)s As+in) for a .in) T&E F3!G), grie%e$ at ha%ing no establishe$ 3uler, sent a#bassa$ors to ;upiter entreating for a 7ing. Percei%ing their si#plicity, he cast $own a huge log into the lake. The Frogs were terrifie$ at the splash occasione$ by its fall an$ hi$ the#sel%es in the $epths of the pool. But as soon as they reali/e$ that the huge log was #otionless, they swa# again to the top of the water, $is#isse$ their fears, cli#be$ up, an$ began s6uatting on it in conte#pt. After so#e ti#e they began to think the#sel%es ill5treate$ in the appoint#ent of so inert a 3uler, an$ sent a secon$ $eputation to ;upiter to pray that he woul$ set o%er the# another so%ereign. &e then ga%e the# an Eel to go%ern the#. hen the Frogs $isco%ere$ his easy goo$ nature, they sent yet a thir$ ti#e to ;upiter to beg hi# to choose for the# still another 7ing. ;upiter, $isplease$ with all their co#plaints, sent a &eron, who preye$ upon the Frogs $ay by $ay till there were none left to croak upon the lake. The Bo(s and the #ro)s )!2E B!+), playing near a pon$, saw a nu#ber of Frogs in the water an$ began to pelt the# with stones. They kille$ se%eral of the#, when one of the Frogs, lifting his hea$ out of the water, crie$ out' (Pray stop, #y boys' what is sport to you, is $eath to us.( The &ic+ &ta) A )*47 )TAG lay $own in a 6uiet corner of its pasture5groun$. &is co#panions ca#e in great nu#bers to in6uire after his health, an$ each one helpe$ hi#self to a share of the foo$ which ha$ been place$ for his use1 so that he $ie$, not fro# his sickness, but fro# the failure of the #eans of li%ing. E%il co#panions bring #ore hurt than profit. The &alt Merchant and %is Ass A PE88"E3 $ro%e his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. &is roa$ ho#e lay across a strea# into which his Ass, #aking a false step, fell by acci$ent an$ rose up again with his loa$ consi$erably lighter, as the water #elte$ the sack. The Pe$$ler retrace$ his steps an$ refille$ his panniers with a larger 6uantity of salt than before. hen he ca#e again to the strea#, the Ass fell $own on purpose in the sa#e spot, an$, regaining his feet with the weight of his loa$ #uch $i#inishe$, braye$ triu#phantly as if he ha$ obtaine$ what he $esire$. The Pe$$ler saw through his trick an$ $ro%e hi# for the thir$ ti#e to the coast, where he bought a cargo of sponges instea$ of salt. The Ass, again playing the fool, fell $own on purpose when he reache$ the strea#, but the sponges beca#e swollen with water, greatly increasing his loa$. An$ thus his trick recoile$ on hi#, for he now carrie$ on his back a $ouble bur$en. The 64en and the Butchers T&E !<E, once upon a ti#e sought to $estroy the Butchers, who practice$

a tra$e $estructi%e to their race. They asse#ble$ on a certain $ay to carry out their purpose, an$ sharpene$ their horns for the contest. But one of the# who was e-cee$ingly ol$ >for #any a fiel$ ha$ he plowe$? thus spoke' (These Butchers, it is true, slaughter us, but they $o so with skillful han$s, an$ with no unnecessary pain. *f we get ri$ of the#, we shall fall into the han$s of unskillful operators, an$ thus suffer a $ouble $eath' for you #ay be assure$, that though all the Butchers shoul$ perish, yet will #en ne%er want beef.( 8o not be in a hurry to change one e%il for another. The Lion3 the Mouse3 and the #o4 A "*!,, fatigue$ by the heat of a su##er's $ay, fell fast asleep in his $en. A 2ouse ran o%er his #ane an$ ears an$ woke hi# fro# his slu#bers. &e rose up an$ shook hi#self in great wrath, an$ searche$ e%ery corner of his $en to fin$ the 2ouse. A Fo- seeing hi# sai$' (A fine "ion you are, to be frightene$ of a 2ouse.( ('Tis not the 2ouse * fear,( sai$ the "ion1 (* resent his fa#iliarity an$ ill5bree$ing.( "ittle liberties are great offenses. The 9ain ,ac+daw ;.P*TE3 8ETE32*,E8, it is sai$, to create a so%ereign o%er the bir$s, an$ #a$e procla#ation that on a certain $ay they shoul$ all present the#sel%es before hi#, when he woul$ hi#self choose the #ost beautiful a#ong the# to be king. The ;ack$aw, knowing his own ugliness, searche$ through the woo$s an$ fiel$s, an$ collecte$ the feathers which ha$ fallen fro# the wings of his co#panions, an$ stuck the# in all parts of his bo$y, hoping thereby to #ake hi#self the #ost beautiful of all. hen the appointe$ $ay arri%e$, an$ the bir$s ha$ asse#ble$ before ;upiter, the ;ack$aw also #a$e his appearance in his #any feathere$ finery. But when ;upiter propose$ to #ake hi# king because of the beauty of his plu#age, the bir$s in$ignantly proteste$, an$ each plucke$ fro# hi# his own feathers, lea%ing the ;ack$aw nothing but a ;ack$aw. The Goatherd and the Wild Goats A G!AT&E38, $ri%ing his flock fro# their pasture at e%enti$e, foun$ so#e il$ Goats #ingle$ a#ong the#, an$ shut the# up together with his own for the night. The ne-t $ay it snowe$ %ery har$, so that he coul$ not take the her$ to their usual fee$ing places, but was oblige$ to keep the# in the fol$. &e ga%e his own goats just sufficient foo$ to keep the# ali%e, but fe$ the strangers #ore abun$antly in the hope of enticing the# to stay with hi# an$ of #aking the# his own. hen the thaw set in, he le$ the# all out to fee$, an$ the il$ Goats sca#pere$ away as fast as they coul$ to the #ountains. The Goather$ scol$e$ the# for their ingratitu$e in lea%ing hi#, when $uring the stor# he ha$ taken #ore care of the# than of his own her$. !ne of the#, turning about, sai$ to hi#' (That is the %ery reason why we are so cautious1 for if you yester$ay treate$ us better than the Goats you ha%e ha$ so long, it is plain also that if others ca#e after us, you woul$ in the sa#e #anner prefer the# to oursel%es.( !l$ frien$s cannot with i#punity be sacrifice$ for new ones. The Mischie1ous 2o) A 8!G use$ to run up 6uietly to the heels of e%eryone he #et, an$ to bite the# without notice. &is #aster suspen$e$ a bell about his neck so that the 8og #ight gi%e notice of his presence where%er he went. Thinking it a #ark of $istinction, the 8og grew prou$ of his bell an$ went tinkling it all o%er the #arketplace. !ne $ay an ol$ houn$ sai$ to hi#' ( hy $o you #ake such an e-hibition of yourself9 That bell that you

carry is not, belie%e #e, any or$er of #erit, but on the contrary a #ark of $isgrace, a public notice to all #en to a%oi$ you as an ill #annere$ $og.( ,otoriety is often #istaken for fa#e. The #o4 Who %ad Lost %is Tail A F!< caught in a trap escape$, but in so $oing lost his tail. Thereafter, feeling his life a bur$en fro# the sha#e an$ ri$icule to which he was e-pose$, he sche#e$ to con%ince all the other Fo-es that being tailless was #uch #ore attracti%e, thus #aking up for his own $epri%ation. &e asse#ble$ a goo$ #any Fo-es an$ publicly a$%ise$ the# to cut off their tails, saying that they woul$ not only look #uch better without the#, but that they woul$ get ri$ of the weight of the brush, which was a %ery great incon%enience. !ne of the# interrupting hi# sai$, (*f you ha$ not yourself lost your tail, #y frien$, you woul$ not thus counsel us.( The Bo( and the :ettles A B!+ was stung by a ,ettle. &e ran ho#e an$ tol$ his 2other, saying, (Although it hurts #e %ery #uch, * only touche$ it gently.( (That was just why it stung you,( sai$ his 2other. (The ne-t ti#e you touch a ,ettle, grasp it bol$ly, an$ it will be soft as silk to your han$, an$ not in the least hurt you.( hate%er you $o, $o with all your #ight. The Man and %is Two &weethearts A 2*88"E5AGE8 2A,, whose hair ha$ begun to turn gray, courte$ two wo#en at the sa#e ti#e. !ne of the# was young, an$ the other well a$%ance$ in years. The el$er wo#an, asha#e$ to be courte$ by a #an younger than herself, #a$e a point, whene%er her a$#irer %isite$ her, to pull out so#e portion of his black hairs. The younger, on the contrary, not wishing to beco#e the wife of an ol$ #an, was e6ually /ealous in re#o%ing e%ery gray hair she coul$ fin$. Thus it ca#e to pass that between the# both he %ery soon foun$ that he ha$ not a hair left on his hea$. Those who seek to please e%erybo$y please nobo$y. The Astronomer A, A)T3!,!2E3 use$ to go out at night to obser%e the stars. !ne e%ening, as he wan$ere$ through the suburbs with his whole attention fi-e$ on the sky, he fell acci$entally into a $eep well. hile he la#ente$ an$ bewaile$ his sores an$ bruises, an$ crie$ lou$ly for help, a neighbor ran to the well, an$ learning what ha$ happene$ sai$' (&ark ye, ol$ fellow, why, in stri%ing to pry into what is in hea%en, $o you not #anage to see what is on earth9( The Wol1es and the &heep ( &+ )&!."8 there always be this fear an$ slaughter between us9( sai$ the ol%es to the )heep. (Those e%il5$ispose$ 8ogs ha%e #uch to answer for. They always bark whene%er we approach you an$ attack us before we ha%e $one any har#. *f you woul$ only $is#iss the# fro# your heels, there #ight soon be treaties of peace an$ reconciliation between us.( The )heep, poor silly creatures, were easily beguile$ an$ $is#isse$ the 8ogs, whereupon the ol%es $estroye$ the unguar$e$ flock at their own pleasure. The 6ld Woman and the 0h(sician A, !"8 !2A, ha%ing lost the use of her eyes, calle$ in a Physician to heal the#, an$ #a$e this bargain with hi# in the presence of witnesses' that if he shoul$ cure her blin$ness, he shoul$ recei%e fro# her a su# of #oney1 but if her infir#ity re#aine$, she shoul$ gi%e hi# nothing. This agree#ent being #a$e, the Physician, ti#e after ti#e, applie$ his sal%e to her eyes, an$ on e%ery %isit took so#ething away, stealing

all her property little by little. An$ when he ha$ got all she ha$, he heale$ her an$ $e#an$e$ the pro#ise$ pay#ent. The !l$ o#an, when she reco%ere$ her sight an$ saw none of her goo$s in her house, woul$ gi%e hi# nothing. The Physician insiste$ on his clai#, an$, as she still refuse$, su##one$ her before the ;u$ge. The !l$ o#an, stan$ing up in the 4ourt, argue$' (This #an here speaks the truth in what he says1 for * $i$ pro#ise to gi%e hi# a su# of #oney if * shoul$ reco%er #y sight' but if * continue$ blin$, * was to gi%e hi# nothing. ,ow he $eclares that * a# heale$. * on the contrary affir# that * a# still blin$1 for when * lost the use of #y eyes, * saw in #y house %arious chattels an$ %aluable goo$s' but now, though he swears * a# cure$ of #y blin$ness, * a# not able to see a single thing in it.( The #i)htin) !oc+s and the 5a)le T ! GA2E 4!47) were fiercely fighting for the #astery of the far#yar$. !ne at last put the other to flight. The %an6uishe$ 4ock skulke$ away an$ hi$ hi#self in a 6uiet corner, while the con6ueror, flying up to a high wall, flappe$ his wings an$ crowe$ e-ultingly with all his #ight. An Eagle sailing through the air pounce$ upon hi# an$ carrie$ hi# off in his talons. The %an6uishe$ 4ock i##e$iately ca#e out of his corner, an$ rule$ henceforth with un$ispute$ #astery. Pri$e goes before $estruction. The !har)er and the Miller A 4&A3GE3, feeling the infir#ities of age, was sent to work in a #ill instea$ of going out to battle. But when he was co#pelle$ to grin$ instea$ of ser%ing in the wars, he bewaile$ his change of fortune an$ calle$ to #in$ his for#er state, saying, (Ah0 2iller, * ha$ in$ee$ to go ca#paigning before, but * was barbe$ fro# counter to tail, an$ a #an went along to groo# #e1 an$ now * cannot un$erstan$ what aile$ #e to prefer the #ill before the battle.( (Forbear,( sai$ the 2iller to hi#, (harping on what was of yore, for it is the co##on lot of #ortals to sustain the ups an$ $owns of fortune.( The #o4 and the Mon+e( A 2!,7E+ once $ance$ in an asse#bly of the Beasts, an$ so please$ the# all by his perfor#ance that they electe$ hi# their 7ing. A Fo-, en%ying hi# the honor, $isco%ere$ a piece of #eat lying in a trap, an$ lea$ing the 2onkey to the place where it was, sai$ that she ha$ foun$ a store, but ha$ not use$ it, she ha$ kept it for hi# as treasure tro%e of his king$o#, an$ counsele$ hi# to lay hol$ of it. The 2onkey approache$ carelessly an$ was caught in the trap1 an$ on his accusing the Fo- of purposely lea$ing hi# into the snare, she replie$, (! 2onkey, an$ are you, with such a #in$ as yours, going to be 7ing o%er the Beasts9( The %orse and %is 7ider A &!3)E )!"8*E3 took the ut#ost pains with his charger. As long as the war laste$, he looke$ upon hi# as his fellow5helper in all e#ergencies an$ fe$ hi# carefully with hay an$ corn. But when the war was o%er, he only allowe$ hi# chaff to eat an$ #a$e hi# carry hea%y loa$s of woo$, subjecting hi# to #uch sla%ish $ru$gery an$ ill5treat#ent. ar was again proclai#e$, howe%er, an$ when the tru#pet su##one$ hi# to his stan$ar$, the )ol$ier put on his charger its #ilitary trappings, an$ #ounte$, being cla$ in his hea%y coat of #ail. The &orse fell $own straightway un$er the weight, no longer e6ual to the bur$en, an$ sai$ to his #aster, (+ou #ust now go to the war on foot, for you ha%e transfor#e$ #e fro# a &orse into an Ass1 an$ how can you e-pect that * can again turn in a #o#ent fro# an Ass to a &orse9(

The Bell( and the Members T&E 2E2BE3) of the Bo$y rebelle$ against the Belly, an$ sai$, ( hy shoul$ we be perpetually engage$ in a$#inistering to your wants, while you $o nothing but take your rest, an$ enjoy yourself in lu-ury an$ self5in$ulgence9( The 2e#bers carrie$ out their resol%e an$ refuse$ their assistance to the Belly. The whole Bo$y 6uickly beca#e $ebilitate$, an$ the han$s, feet, #outh, an$ eyes, when too late, repente$ of their folly. The 9ine and the Goat A :*,E was lu-uriant in the ti#e of %intage with lea%es an$ grapes. A Goat, passing by, nibble$ its young ten$rils an$ its lea%es. The :ine a$$resse$ hi# an$ sai$' ( hy $o you thus injure #e without a cause, an$ crop #y lea%es9 *s there no young grass left9 But * shall not ha%e to wait long for #y just re%enge1 for if you now shoul$ crop #y lea%es, an$ cut #e $own to #y root, * shall pro%i$e the wine to pour o%er you when you are le$ as a %icti# to the sacrifice.( ,upiter and the Mon+e( ;.P*TE3 *)).E8 a procla#ation to all the beasts of the forest an$ pro#ise$ a royal rewar$ to the one whose offspring shoul$ be $ee#e$ the han$so#est. The 2onkey ca#e with the rest an$ presente$, with all a #other's ten$erness, a flat5nose$, hairless, ill5feature$ young 2onkey as a can$i$ate for the pro#ise$ rewar$. A general laugh salute$ her on the presentation of her son. )he resolutely sai$, (* know not whether ;upiter will allot the pri/e to #y son, but this * $o know, that he is at least in the eyes of #e his #other, the $earest, han$so#est, an$ #ost beautiful of all.( The Widow and %er Little Maidens A *8! who was fon$ of cleaning ha$ two little #ai$ens to wait on her. )he was in the habit of waking the# early in the #orning, at cockcrow. The #ai$ens, aggra%ate$ by such e-cessi%e labor, resol%e$ to kill the cock who rouse$ their #istress so early. hen they ha$ $one this, they foun$ that they ha$ only prepare$ for the#sel%es greater troubles, for their #istress, no longer hearing the hour fro# the cock, woke the# up to their work in the #i$$le of the night. The &hepherd8s Bo( and the Wolf A )&EP&E385B!+, who watche$ a flock of sheep near a %illage, brought out the %illagers three or four ti#es by crying out, ( olf0 olf0( an$ when his neighbors ca#e to help hi#, laughe$ at the# for their pains. The olf, howe%er, $i$ truly co#e at last. The )hepher$5boy, now really alar#e$, shoute$ in an agony of terror' (Pray, $o co#e an$ help #e1 the olf is killing the sheep1( but no one pai$ any hee$ to his cries, nor ren$ere$ any assistance. The olf, ha%ing no cause of fear, at his leisure lacerate$ or $estroye$ the whole flock. There is no belie%ing a liar, e%en when he speaks the truth. The !at and the Birds A 4AT, hearing that the Bir$s in a certain a%iary were ailing $resse$ hi#self up as a physician, an$, taking his cane an$ a bag of instru#ents beco#ing his profession, went to call on the#. &e knocke$ at the $oor an$ in6uire$ of the in#ates how they all $i$, saying that if they were ill, he woul$ be happy to prescribe for the# an$ cure the#. They replie$, ( e are all %ery well, an$ shall continue so, if you will only be goo$ enough to go away, an$ lea%e us as we are.(

The .id and the Wolf A 7*8 stan$ing on the roof of a house, out of har#'s way, saw a olf passing by an$ i##e$iately began to taunt an$ re%ile hi#. The olf, looking up, sai$, ()irrah0 * hear thee' yet it is not thou who #ockest #e, but the roof on which thou art stan$ing.( Ti#e an$ place often gi%e the a$%antage to the weak o%er the strong. The 64 and the #ro) A, !< $rinking at a pool tro$ on a broo$ of young frogs an$ crushe$ one of the# to $eath. The 2other co#ing up, an$ #issing one of her sons, in6uire$ of his brothers what ha$ beco#e of hi#. (&e is $ea$, $ear 2other1 for just now a %ery huge beast with four great feet ca#e to the pool an$ crushe$ hi# to $eath with his clo%en heel.( The Frog, puffing herself out, in6uire$, (if the beast was as big as that in si/e.( (4ease, 2other, to puff yourself out,( sai$ her son, (an$ $o not be angry1 for you woul$, * assure you, sooner burst than successfully i#itate the hugeness of that #onster.( The &hepherd and the Wolf A )&EP&E38 once foun$ the whelp of a olf an$ brought it up, an$ after a while taught it to steal la#bs fro# the neighboring flocks. The olf, ha%ing shown hi#self an apt pupil, sai$ to the )hepher$, ()ince you ha%e taught #e to steal, you #ust keep a sharp lookout, or you will lose so#e of your own flock.( The #ather and %is Two 2au)hters A 2A, ha$ two $aughters, the one #arrie$ to a gar$ener, an$ the other to a tile5#aker. After a ti#e he went to the $aughter who ha$ #arrie$ the gar$ener, an$ in6uire$ how she was an$ how all things went with her. )he sai$, (All things are prospering with #e, an$ * ha%e only one wish, that there #ay be a hea%y fall of rain, in or$er that the plants #ay be well watere$.( ,ot long after, he went to the $aughter who ha$ #arrie$ the tile#aker, an$ likewise in6uire$ of her how she fare$1 she replie$, (* want for nothing, an$ ha%e only one wish, that the $ry weather #ay continue, an$ the sun shine hot an$ bright, so that the bricks #ight be $rie$.( &e sai$ to her, (*f your sister wishes for rain, an$ you for $ry weather, with which of the two a# * to join #y wishes9( The #armer and %is &ons A FAT&E3, being on the point of $eath, wishe$ to be sure that his sons woul$ gi%e the sa#e attention to his far# as he hi#self ha$ gi%en it. &e calle$ the# to his be$si$e an$ sai$, (2y sons, there is a great treasure hi$ in one of #y %ineyar$s.( The sons, after his $eath, took their spa$es an$ #attocks an$ carefully $ug o%er e%ery portion of their lan$. They foun$ no treasure, but the %ines repai$ their labor by an e-traor$inary an$ superabun$ant crop. The !rab and ;ts Mother A 43AB sai$ to her son, ( hy $o you walk so one5si$e$, #y chil$9 *t is far #ore beco#ing to go straight forwar$.( The young 4rab replie$' (@uite true, $ear 2other1 an$ if you will show #e the straight way, * will pro#ise to walk in it.( The 2other trie$ in %ain, an$ sub#itte$ without re#onstrance to the reproof of her chil$. E-a#ple is #ore powerful than precept. The %eifer and the 64 A &E*FE3 saw an !- har$ at work harnesse$ to a plow, an$ tor#ente$ hi# with reflections on his unhappy fate in being co#pelle$ to labor.

)hortly afterwar$s, at the har%est festi%al, the owner release$ the !fro# his yoke, but boun$ the &eifer with cor$s an$ le$ hi# away to the altar to be slain in honor of the occasion. The !- saw what was being $one, an$ sai$ with a s#ile to the &eifer' (For this you were allowe$ to li%e in i$leness, because you were presently to be sacrifice$.( The &wallow3 the &erpent3 and the !ourt of ,ustice A ) A""! , returning fro# abroa$ an$ especially fon$ of $welling with #en, built herself a nest in the wall of a 4ourt of ;ustice an$ there hatche$ se%en young bir$s. A )erpent gli$ing past the nest fro# its hole in the wall ate up the young unfle$ge$ nestlings. The )wallow, fin$ing her nest e#pty, la#ente$ greatly an$ e-clai#e$' ( oe to #e a stranger0 that in this place where all others' rights are protecte$, * alone shoul$ suffer wrong.( The Thief and %is Mother A B!+ stole a lesson5book fro# one of his schoolfellows an$ took it ho#e to his 2other. )he not only abstaine$ fro# beating hi#, but encourage$ hi#. &e ne-t ti#e stole a cloak an$ brought it to her, an$ she again co##en$e$ hi#. The +outh, a$%ance$ to a$ulthoo$, procee$e$ to steal things of still greater %alue. At last he was caught in the %ery act, an$ ha%ing his han$s boun$ behin$ hi#, was le$ away to the place of public e-ecution. &is 2other followe$ in the crow$ an$ %iolently beat her breast in sorrow, whereupon the young #an sai$, (* wish to say so#ething to #y 2other in her ear.( )he ca#e close to hi#, an$ he 6uickly sei/e$ her ear with his teeth an$ bit it off. The 2other upbrai$e$ hi# as an unnatural chil$, whereon he replie$, (Ah0 if you ha$ beaten #e when * first stole an$ brought to you that lesson5book, * shoul$ not ha%e co#e to this, nor ha%e been thus le$ to a $isgraceful $eath.( The 6ld Man and 2eath A, !"8 2A, was e#ploye$ in cutting woo$ in the forest, an$, in carrying the faggots to the city for sale one $ay, beca#e %ery wearie$ with his long journey. &e sat $own by the waysi$e, an$ throwing $own his loa$, besought (8eath( to co#e. (8eath( i##e$iately appeare$ in answer to his su##ons an$ aske$ for what reason he ha$ calle$ hi#. The !l$ 2an hurrie$ly replie$, (That, lifting up the loa$, you #ay place it again upon #y shoul$ers.(

The #ir"Tree and the Bramble A F*35T3EE sai$ boastingly to the Bra#ble, (+ou are useful for nothing at all1 while * a# e%erywhere use$ for roofs an$ houses.( The Bra#ble answere$' (+ou poor creature, if you woul$ only call to #in$ the a-es an$ saws which are about to hew you $own, you woul$ ha%e reason to wish that you ha$ grown up a Bra#ble, not a Fir5Tree.( Better po%erty without care, than riches with. The Mouse3 the #ro)3 and the %aw+ A 2!.)E who always li%e$ on the lan$, by an unlucky chance for#e$ an inti#ate ac6uaintance with a Frog, who li%e$ for the #ost part in the water. The Frog, one $ay intent on #ischief, boun$ the foot of the 2ouse tightly to his own. Thus joine$ together, the Frog first of all le$ his frien$ the 2ouse to the #ea$ow where they were accusto#e$ to fin$ their foo$. After this, he gra$ually le$ hi# towar$s the pool in which he li%e$, until reaching the %ery brink, he su$$enly ju#pe$ in, $ragging the 2ouse with hi#. The Frog enjoye$ the water a#a/ingly, an$ swa#

croaking about, as if he ha$ $one a goo$ $ee$. The unhappy 2ouse was soon suffocate$ by the water, an$ his $ea$ bo$y floate$ about on the surface, tie$ to the foot of the Frog. A &awk obser%e$ it, an$, pouncing upon it with his talons, carrie$ it aloft. The Frog, being still fastene$ to the leg of the 2ouse, was also carrie$ off a prisoner, an$ was eaten by the &awk. &ar# hatch, har# catch. The Man Bitten b( a 2o) A 2A, who ha$ been bitten by a 8og went about in 6uest of so#eone who #ight heal hi#. A frien$, #eeting hi# an$ learning what he wante$, sai$, (*f you woul$ be cure$, take a piece of brea$, an$ $ip it in the bloo$ fro# your woun$, an$ go an$ gi%e it to the 8og that bit you.( The 2an who ha$ been bitten laughe$ at this a$%ice an$ sai$, ( hy9 *f * shoul$ $o so, it woul$ be as if * shoul$ beg e%ery 8og in the town to bite #e.( Benefits bestowe$ upon the e%il5$ispose$ increase their #eans of injuring you. The Two 0ots A 3*:E3 carrie$ $own in its strea# two Pots, one #a$e of earthenware an$ the other of brass. The Earthen Pot sai$ to the Brass Pot, (Pray keep at a $istance an$ $o not co#e near #e, for if you touch #e e%er so slightly, * shall be broken in pieces, an$ besi$es, * by no #eans wish to co#e near you.( E6uals #ake the best frien$s. The Wolf and the &heep A !"F, sorely woun$e$ an$ bitten by $ogs, lay sick an$ #ai#e$ in his lair. Being in want of foo$, he calle$ to a )heep who was passing, an$ aske$ hi# to fetch so#e water fro# a strea# flowing close besi$e hi#. (For,( he sai$, (if you will bring #e $rink, * will fin$ #eans to pro%i$e #yself with #eat.( (+es,( sai$ the )heep, (if * shoul$ bring you the $raught, you woul$ $oubtless #ake #e pro%i$e the #eat also.( &ypocritical speeches are easily seen through.

The Aethiop T&E P.34&A)E3 of a black ser%ant was persua$e$ that the color of his skin arose fro# $irt contracte$ through the neglect of his for#er #asters. !n bringing hi# ho#e he resorte$ to e%ery #eans of cleaning, an$ subjecte$ the #an to incessant scrubbings. The ser%ant caught a se%ere col$, but he ne%er change$ his color or co#ple-ion. hat's bre$ in the bone will stick to the flesh. The #isherman and %is :ets A F*)&E32A,, engage$ in his calling, #a$e a %ery successful cast an$ capture$ a great haul of fish. &e #anage$ by a skillful han$ling of his net to retain all the large fish an$ to $raw the# to the shore1 but he coul$ not pre%ent the s#aller fish fro# falling back through the #eshes of the net into the sea. The %untsman and the #isherman A &.,T)2A,, returning with his $ogs fro# the fiel$, fell in by chance with a Fisher#an who was bringing ho#e a basket well la$en with fish. The &unts#an wishe$ to ha%e the fish, an$ their owner e-perience$ an e6ual longing for the contents of the ga#e5bag. They 6uickly agree$ to e-change the pro$uce of their $ay's sport. Each was so well please$ with

his bargain that they #a$e for so#e ti#e the sa#e e-change $ay after $ay. Finally a neighbor sai$ to the#, (*f you go on in this way, you will soon $estroy by fre6uent use the pleasure of your e-change, an$ each will again wish to retain the fruits of his own sport.( Abstain an$ enjoy. The 6ld Woman and the Wine",ar A, !"8 !2A, foun$ an e#pty jar which ha$ lately been full of pri#e ol$ wine an$ which still retaine$ the fragrant s#ell of its for#er contents. )he gree$ily place$ it se%eral ti#es to her nose, an$ $rawing it backwar$s an$ forwar$s sai$, (! #ost $elicious0 &ow nice #ust the ine itself ha%e been, when it lea%es behin$ in the %ery %essel which containe$ it so sweet a perfu#e0( The #e#ory of a goo$ $ee$ li%es. The #o4 and the !row A 43! ha%ing stolen a bit of #eat, perche$ in a tree an$ hel$ it in her beak. A Fo-, seeing this, longe$ to possess the #eat hi#self, an$ by a wily stratage# succee$e$. (&ow han$so#e is the 4row,( he e-clai#e$, (in the beauty of her shape an$ in the fairness of her co#ple-ion0 !h, if her %oice were only e6ual to her beauty, she woul$ $eser%e$ly be consi$ere$ the @ueen of Bir$s0( This he sai$ $eceitfully1 but the 4row, an-ious to refute the reflection cast upon her %oice, set up a lou$ caw an$ $roppe$ the flesh. The Fo- 6uickly picke$ it up, an$ thus a$$resse$ the 4row' (2y goo$ 4row, your %oice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.( The Two 2o)s A 2A, ha$ two $ogs' a &oun$, traine$ to assist hi# in his sports, an$ a &ouse$og, taught to watch the house. hen he returne$ ho#e after a goo$ $ay's sport, he always ga%e the &ouse$og a large share of his spoil. The &oun$, feeling #uch aggrie%e$ at this, reproache$ his co#panion, saying, (*t is %ery har$ to ha%e all this labor, while you, who $o not assist in the chase, lu-uriate on the fruits of #y e-ertions.( The &ouse$og replie$, (8o not bla#e #e, #y frien$, but fin$ fault with the #aster, who has not taught #e to labor, but to $epen$ for subsistence on the labor of others.( 4hil$ren are not to be bla#e$ for the faults of their parents. The &ta) in the 64"&tall A )TAG, roun$ly chase$ by the houn$s an$ blin$e$ by fear to the $anger he was running into, took shelter in a far#yar$ an$ hi$ hi#self in a she$ a#ong the o-en. An !- ga%e hi# this kin$ly warning' (! unhappy creature0 why shoul$ you thus, of your own accor$, incur $estruction an$ trust yourself in the house of your ene#y9( The )tag replie$' (!nly allow #e, frien$, to stay where * a#, an$ * will un$ertake to fin$ so#e fa%orable opportunity of effecting #y escape.( At the approach of the e%ening the her$s#an ca#e to fee$ his cattle, but $i$ not see the )tag1 an$ e%en the far#5bailiff with se%eral laborers passe$ through the she$ an$ faile$ to notice hi#. The )tag, congratulating hi#self on his safety, began to e-press his sincere thanks to the !-en who ha$ kin$ly helpe$ hi# in the hour of nee$. !ne of the# again answere$ hi#' ( e in$ee$ wish you well, but the $anger is not o%er. There is one other yet to pass through the she$, who has as it were a hun$re$ eyes, an$ until he has co#e an$ gone, your life is still in peril.( At that #o#ent the #aster hi#self entere$, an$ ha%ing ha$ to co#plain that his o-en ha$ not been properly fe$, he went up to their racks an$ crie$ out' ( hy is there such a scarcity of fo$$er9 There is not half enough straw for the# to lie on. Those la/y fellows ha%e not e%en swept the cobwebs away.( hile he thus e-a#ine$ e%erything in turn, he spie$ the tips of the

antlers of the )tag peeping out of the straw. Then su##oning his laborers, he or$ere$ that the )tag shoul$ be sei/e$ an$ kille$. The %aw+3 the .ite3 and the 0i)eons T&E P*GE!,), terrifie$ by the appearance of a 7ite, calle$ upon the &awk to $efen$ the#. &e at once consente$. hen they ha$ a$#itte$ hi# into the cote, they foun$ that he #a$e #ore ha%oc an$ slew a larger nu#ber of the# in one $ay than the 7ite coul$ pounce upon in a whole year. A%oi$ a re#e$y that is worse than the $isease. The Widow and the &heep A 4E3TA*, poor wi$ow ha$ one solitary )heep. At shearing ti#e, wishing to take his fleece an$ to a%oi$ e-pense, she sheare$ hi# herself, but use$ the shears so unskillfully that with the fleece she sheare$ the flesh. The )heep, writhing with pain, sai$, ( hy $o you hurt #e so, 2istress9 hat weight can #y bloo$ a$$ to the wool9 *f you want #y flesh, there is the butcher, who will kill #e in an instant1 but if you want #y fleece an$ wool, there is the shearer, who will shear an$ not hurt #e.( The least outlay is not always the greatest gain. The Wild Ass and the Lion A *"8 A)) an$ a "ion entere$ into an alliance so that they #ight capture the beasts of the forest with greater ease. The "ion agree$ to assist the il$ Ass with his strength, while the il$ Ass ga%e the "ion the benefit of his greater spee$. hen they ha$ taken as #any beasts as their necessities re6uire$, the "ion un$ertook to $istribute the prey, an$ for this purpose $i%i$e$ it into three shares. (* will take the first share,( he sai$, (because * a# 7ing' an$ the secon$ share, as a partner with you in the chase' an$ the thir$ share >belie%e #e? will be a source of great e%il to you, unless you willingly resign it to #e, an$ set off as fast as you can.( 2ight #akes right. The 5a)le and the Arrow A, EAG"E sat on a lofty rock, watching the #o%e#ents of a &are who# he sought to #ake his prey. An archer, who saw the Eagle fro# a place of conceal#ent, took an accurate ai# an$ woun$e$ hi# #ortally. The Eagle ga%e one look at the arrow that ha$ entere$ his heart an$ saw in that single glance that its feathers ha$ been furnishe$ by hi#self. (*t is a $ouble grief to #e,( he e-clai#e$, (that * shoul$ perish by an arrow feathere$ fro# #y own wings.(