The Ant and the Grasshopper

It was summer, hot and sunny, and, instead of working and preparing
for winter, a Grasshopper preferred to dance, sing and play his violin at his
leisure, not minding that these wonderful days will soon be over, that cold
and rainy days will soon be near. On seeing a hardworking Ant passing by
him, preparing for the hard winter that was to come one day, he invited him
to join him and share his fun.
Unfortunately, I dont have time for this, the Ant answered, I must
work hard, so that winter wont find me without shelter and food.
Stop worrying so much, there is still plenty of time to prepare for
winter. Lets sing and dance together, lets laugh and enjoy life.
But the Ant was very wise and wouldnt pay attention to the
Grasshoppers words and continued to work hard and store food for the long
winter that was to come.
The winter came sooner than expected, and the Grasshopper found
himself without home and without food. He went to the Ants house and
begged him for food and shelter.
Im sorry, but I cant help you, the Ant said. I only have room and
food for me and my family, so go find help somewhere else.
I should have followed the Ants example in the summer, the
Grasshopper thought sadly. I would have been so happy now

Prepare for the hard days to come.

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

On his walk through the forest, an Ass found a Lions skin and
instantly, a wonderful idea crossed his mind that was going to help him
be respected and feared by al the other animals. He was going to pretend
to be a Lion! So, he put the skin on and wandered through the forest,
scaring all the small animals around. He felt so strong - he was the king
of the forest! What a great feeling! For a moment, he forgot he was not
supposed to open his mouth to give himself away and brayed
triumphantly. Right then, a fox that was just on the point to run away
scared thinking it was a real Lion, stopped suddenly and began to mock
at him.
An Ass! You were just an Ass pretending to be a Lion! You gave
yourself away with your voice. Had you kept your mouth shut, I would
have been fooled myself, too.

The real fakers will finally give themselves away.

The Fox and the Crow

One day a Crow found a piece of meat, took it in her beak and flew
away with it in a tree. Right that moment, a Fox passing by, saw the Crow
with the meat and, since he was very hungry, thought of a plan meant to
help him steal the meat. So, he sat in front of the Crow and began to
exclaim:
Oh, Crow, you are the most gracious and beautiful bird I have ever
seen! Let me admire you, and let me hear your voice, too, it must be
equally beautiful as your appearance, you, Queen of Birds!
The Crow was truly delighted by all these compliments, and she was
even convinced she had a beautiful voice, so, she opened her mouth to
sing. That moment, she dropped the meat and the Fox grabbed it right
away.
Look, Crow, the Fox said, your voice is ok, but, unfortunately,
you have no wits.

The flatterers are not trustworthy.

The Bear and the Two Travellers

One sunny day, two travellers who seemed to be very good friends
met a bear in their way when they least expected, so they both tried to
climb a tree that was near to save their life, but one of them hurt himself
and didnt manage to climb. His friend was so concerned to save his own
life that forgot about him and didnt offer to help him, so, the only idea
that crossed his mind that moment was to play the dead on the ground.
The bear thought he was really dead, so, he soon left, after smelling him
for a while.
When they finally seemed to be safe, the traveller in the tree
climbed down, asking his friend what the bear whispered in his ear.
The bear advised me not to trust those friends who leave you in a
moment of danger.

Real friends help you when you are in trouble.

The Stag at the River

One hot day a stag came to a river to quench his thirst, and seeing
his reflection in the water, found his horns truly amazing:
They are magnificent, exquisite, I am so proud of them, he
exclaimed, then, looking at his legs, he became very sad. My legs are
too short, too thin, if they could be as amazing as my horns I would be
so happy. But while pondering on all these things, a Lion showed up,
and the Stag ran away, but soon stuck his horns into the branches of the
trees. It was very easy for the Lion to capture him this way.
I cant believe that my very horns which were my pride brought
my misfortune, while my legs which I was so ashamed of would have
served me so well. Things are not what they seem to be.

Most often, we despise the most precious things and appreciate the wrong
ones.
The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox

A poor unfortunate Kid got captured by both a Lion and a Bear and
each one wanted it for himself, not willing to give up on it in favour of
the other one and not even to share it.
Because of this, they started to fight. After they fought for a long
time, they fell down very tired. A cunning Fox who noticed all this from
the very beginning took advantage of this moment, came quickly,
grabbed the Kid and ran away, very happy with his prey.
The Lion and the Bear couldnt believe they had been so unwise
and lost the Kid because of their greed.
Next time we capture a prey, I promise Ill share it with you, said
the Lion after he learned his lesson.

You may work hard and still not get the benefit if youre not wise
enough.
The Hare and the Tortoise

A Hare and a Tortoise decided one day to compete with each other
in a race. That was because the Hare dared to laugh at the Tortoise for
being so slow and heavy and he just couldnt stand this painful offence. So
the Tortoise suggested the race and the Hare agreed, being very confident.
The poor Tortoise will make a fool of himself, he thought very amused.
So, when the big day arrived, they started together. A long road was
to be run, so, after a while, the Hare stopped, being so advanced in
comparison with the slow Tortoise and thought it was a good idea to take a
nap for a few minutes. He did so, but when he finally woke up, he was
horrified to notice that the Tortoise was just about to arrive at the end of
the race.
No, thats not possible. I must be dreaming! he said. I will catch
up with him, I still have time to win, I can run so fast
But he couldnt make it, though, it was too late, the Tortoise was the
winner of the race, as slow as he was!

Be consistent in your effort and you will be successful.

The Fox and the Grapes

Searching for food to satisfy his hunger, a Fox suddenly saw a vine
full of big grapes and ran towards it greedily. But unfortunately, the grapes
were so high that it was impossible for him to reach them. He tried again
and again, but couldnt even touch them. Bitter and frustrated, he comforted
himself by saying:
"Anyway they dont seem ripe, so the taste must be very bad. Surely
they are sour.

You can easily despise what you can't have.

The Shepherds Boy and the Wolf

There lived a shepherd boy in a small mountain village. He had great

imagination, so one day an idea occurred to him to have some fun and
escape from the monotony of his life. So he went very close to the village
so that people could hear him and began to yell: "Wolf! Wolf! Help me!
The villagers got scared and wanted to help him, so they came
quickly, but instead of wolf, they only found the shepherd boy laughing
ironically.
Foolish boy! they said very angry and left.
The boy was really proud of himself and did his stupid joke once
again another day and the villagers believed his lie again and felt sorry they
fell into his trap.
The third time the shepherd boy cried for help, nobody bothered to
help him any more and this time the wolf was real, it was not a joke, but the
villagers didnt believe him any more.

Once you lose your credibility, no one will believe you any more, even
when you speak the truth.
The Ant and the Dove

One day, an Ant went to the river to drink some water, but
unfortunately he fell into the water and was just about to lose his life. That
moment, a Dove saw him and, eager to save his life, threw a bough on the
water, so that the Ant should climb on it. Soon, the Ant was out of any
danger. He was very grateful to the Dove for saving his life, so, one day,
when the Dove was in danger too, because a hunter intended to shot at her,
the Ant stung the hunter in the foot. The hunter dropped his gun because of
the pain, and the Dove flew away in a moment.

One good deed is rewarded with another good deed.

The Dog and His Reflection

A Dog found a piece of meat one day and while walking with it in his
mouth near a stream, he saw another dog in the water with another piece of
meat. He was not aware that it was his own reflection and not another dog.
So, wishing to have the other meat, too, not satisfied with his own, he
opened his mouth to grab it, but that moment, his meat fell into the water
and it was carried away till he couldnt see it any more. So, he remained
hungry that day, because of his greed.

If youre not content if what you have, you may lose everything in the end.
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

A Mouse living in the countryside invited his cousin who lived in a

big town to spend some time in her modest home. She agreed and they
spent a great time together, despite the modest conditions they lived in.
Nothing ever seemed to trouble their peace and harmony. Before returning
to her home, the Town Mouse asked the Country Mouse to come with her.
As the Town Mouse described the city life full of surprises and luxury, her
cousin was very curious to see all that herself, so she said Yes.
They travelled together to the Town Mouse's house and everything
was indeed as described with lots of food and fun. But, at the same time,
many dangers that the Country Mouse wasnt made aware of. A cat tried to
catch them while they were eating, then a dog barked at them, so the
Country Mouse decided immediately to return home and never come back.
Id rather live in poverty, but in peace. Whats the use of having
plenty of food and lots of dangers, too? she said, happy to be back home.

Better a peaceful life in poverty, than luxury at the cost of losing your life.
The Peacock and the Crane

There was once a very conceited Peacock who had a gorgeous tail
like no other bird. So, when he met a Crane one day, the Peacock scoffed
at the Cranes colourless and dull feathers, and immediately spread his
own colourful tail for the Crane to see and admire.
Look at my feathers, he boasted, how they shine in all the colours
of the rainbow, while yours are so pale! I am dressed like a king!
Thats true, the Crane answered, but I can fly high above, among
the clouds and the stars and I can see all the beauty of the earth in all its
glory, while you live down here just like any other cock.

Fine feathers dont make fine birds.

The Hares and the Frogs

The Hares, persecuted by the other beasts and afraid even of their own
shadows, had a council to decide what to do. The conclusion they came to
was to die rather than live on with this shame. So, they went to a pond,
determined to drown themselves.
But when they were just about to jump, some Frogs who had been
sitting on a water lily, startled by the noise they made, rushed to the deep
water for safety.
Look, cried a Hare, there are creatures which are even afraid of us,
so things are not so bad, after all. We dont need to die any more.

However unfortunate we may think we are there is always someone worse

off than ourselves.
The Lion and the Mouse

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and
down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon
him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.
"Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse, "Forgive me this time, I shall
never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of
these days?"
The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help
him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was
caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King,
tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just
then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which
the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the
King of the Beasts.
"Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

Little friends may prove great friends.

The Wind and the Sun

The Wind and the Sun were disputing which was the stronger.
Suddenly they saw a traveller coming down the road, and the Sun said:
"I see a way to decide our dispute. Whichever of us can cause that
traveller to take off his cloak shall be regarded as the stronger. You begin."
So the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow as hard
as it could upon the traveller. But the harder he blew the more closely did the
traveller wrap his cloak round him, till at last the Wind had to give up in
despair. Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveller,
who soon found it too hot to walk with his cloak on.

Kindness effects more than severity.

The Fox and the Goat

By an unlucky chance a Fox fell into a deep well from which he could
not get out. A Goat passed by shortly afterwards, and asked the Fox what he
was doing down there.
"Oh, have you not heard?" said the Fox; "there is going to be a great
drought, so I jumped down here in order to be sure to have water by me.
Why don't you come down too?"
The Goat thought well of this advice, and jumped down into the well.
But the Fox immediately jumped on her back, and by putting his foot on her
long horns managed to jump up to the edge of the well.
"Good-bye, friend," said the Fox, "remember next time,

"Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties."

The Miser and His Gold

Once upon a time there was a Miser who used to hide his gold at the
foot of a tree in his garden; but every week he used to go and dig it up and
gloat over his gains. A robber, who had noticed this, went and dug up the
gold and decamped with it. When the Miser next came to gloat over his
treasures, he found nothing but the empty hole. He tore his hair, and raised
such an outcry that all the neighbours came around him, and he told them
how he used to come and visit his gold.
"Did you ever take any of it out?" asked one of them.
"Nay," said he, "I only came to look at it."
"Then come again and look at the hole," said a neighbour; "it will do
you just as much good."

Wealth unused might as well not exist.

The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog

One moonlight night a Fox was prowling about a farmer's hen-coop,

and saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach.
"Good news, good news!" he cried.
"Why, what is that?" said the Cock.
"King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may hurt a bird
henceforth, but all shall dwell together in brotherly friendship."
"Why, that is good news," said the Cock; "and there I see someone
coming, with whom we can share the good tidings." And so saying he craned
his neck forward and looked afar off.
"What is it you see?" said the Fox.
"It is only my master's Dog that is coming towards us. What, going so
soon?" he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had heard
the news. "Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign of
universal peace?"
"I would gladly do so," said the Fox, "but I fear he may not have heard
of King Lion's decree."

Cunning often outwits itself.

The Dog and the Wolf

A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to meet
a House-dog who was passing by.
"Ah, Cousin," said the Dog. "I knew how it would be; your irregular
life will soon be the ruin of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and
get your food regularly given to you?"
"I would have no objection," said the Wolf, "if I could only get a
place."
"I will easily arrange that for you," said the Dog; "come with me to my
master and you shall share my work."
So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together. On the way
there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the Dog's neck was
very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about.
"Oh, it is nothing," said the Dog. "That is only the place where the
collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it chafes a bit, but one soon
gets used to it."
"Is that all?" said the Wolf. "Then good-bye to you, Master Dog."

Better starve free than be a fat slave.

The Fox and the Stork

At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed
very good friends. So the Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and for a joke put
nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. Thus, the Fox could
easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end of her long bill in it, and
left the meal as hungry as when she began.
"I am sorry," said the Fox, "the soup is not to your liking."
"Pray do not apologise," said the Stork. "I hope you will return this
visit, and come and dine with me soon."
So, a day was appointed when the Fox should visit the Stork, but when
they were seated at table all that was for their dinner was contained in a very
long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his
snout, so all he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar.
"I will not apologise for the dinner," said the Stork:

"One bad turn deserves another."

The Milkmaid and Her Pail

Patty the Milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a Pail on
her head. As she went along she began calculating what she would do with
the money she would get for the milk.
"I'll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown," said she, "and they will lay
eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife. With the money
that I get from the sale of these eggs I'll buy myself a new dimity frock and a
chip hat; and when I go to market, won't all the young men come up and
speak to me! Polly Shaw will be that jealous; but I don't care. I shall just look
at her and toss my head like this
As she spoke she tossed her head back, the Pail fell off it, and all the
milk was spilt. So, she had to go home and tell her mother what had
occurred.
"Ah, my child," said the mother,

"Do not count your chickens before they are hatched."

The Goose with the Golden Eggs

One day a countryman going to the nest of his Goose found there
an egg all yellow and glittering. When he took it up it was as heavy as
lead and he was going to throw it away, because he thought a trick had
been played upon him. But he took it home on second thoughts, and
soon found to his delight that it was an egg of pure gold. Every morning
the same thing occurred, and he soon became rich by selling his eggs.
As he grew rich he grew greedy; and thinking to get at once all the gold
the Goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find nothing.

Greed oft o'er reaches itself.

The Crow and the Pitcher

A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a Pitcher which

had once been full of water; but when the Crow put its beak into the
mouth of the Pitcher he found that only very little water was left in
it, and that he could not reach far enough down to get at it. He tried,
and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair. Then a thought
came to him, and he took a pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher.
Then he took another pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then
he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he
took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took
another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took
another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. At last, at last, he
saw the water mount up near him, and after casting in a few more
pebbles he was able to quench his thirst and save his life.

Little by little does the trick.

The Peacock's Complaint

A peacock was very unhappy with his ugly voice, and he spent most
of his days complaining about it.
"It is true that you cannot sing," said the fox, "but look how beautiful
you are!"
"Oh, but what good is all this beauty," moaned the dishearten bird,
"with such an unpleasant voice!"
"Oh hear," said the fox, "Each one has its special gift. You have such
beauty, the nightingale has his song, the owl has his eyes and the eagle has
his strength. Even if you had an eloquent voice, you would still complain
about another thing."

Do not envy the gifts of others. Make the most of your own.