Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Aesops Fables T
Aesops Fables T
This eBook is designed and published by Planet PDF. For more free
eBooks visit our Web site at http://www.planetpdf.com
Aesop’s Fables
2 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
3 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
4 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
5 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
6 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
7 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
8 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
9 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
10 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
11 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
12 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
13 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
14 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
15 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
16 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
17 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
18 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
19 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
20 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
21 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
22 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
23 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
24 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
25 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
Androcles
A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master
and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he
came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At
first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not
pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he
came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all
swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge
thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He
pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion,
who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles
like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and
every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But
shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were
captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the
Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for
several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see
the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle
of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den,
and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But
as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his
friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a
26 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
27 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
28 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
29 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
30 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
31 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
32 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
33 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
34 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
35 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
36 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
37 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
38 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
39 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
40 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
41 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
42 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
43 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
44 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
45 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
The Fisher
A Fisher once took his bagpipes to the bank of a river,
and played upon them with the hope of making the fish
rise; but never a one put his nose out of the water. So he
cast his net into the river and soon drew it forth filled with
fish. Then he took his bagpipes again, and, as he played,
the fish leapt up in the net. ‘Ah, you dance now when I
play,’ said he.
‘Yes,’ said an old Fish:
‘When you are in a man’s power you must do as he
bids you.’
46 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
47 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
48 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
49 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
50 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
51 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
52 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
53 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
54 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
55 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
56 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
57 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
58 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
59 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
60 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
61 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
62 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
63 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
64 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
65 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
66 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to
do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut
down a pole, tied the donkey’s feet to it, and raised the
pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along
amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to
Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet
loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of
the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge,
and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.
‘That will teach you,’ said an old man who had
followed them:
‘Please all, and you will please none.’
67 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
68 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
69 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
70 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
71 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
72 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
73 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
74 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
75 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
76 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
77 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
78 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
79 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
80 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
81 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
82 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
The Cat-Maiden
The gods were once disputing whether it was possible
for a living being to change its nature. Jupiter said ‘Yes,’
but Venus said ‘No.’ So, to try the question, Jupiter
turned a Cat into a Maiden, and gave her to a young man
for a wife. The wedding was duly performed and the
young couple sat down to the wedding-feast. ‘See,’ said
Jupiter, to Venus, ‘how becomingly she behaves. Who
could tell that yesterday she was but a Cat? Surely her
nature is changed?’
‘Wait a minute,’ replied Venus, and let loose a mouse
into the room. No sooner did the bride see this than she
jumped up from her seat and tried to pounce upon the
mouse. ‘Ah, you see,’ said Venus,
‘Nature will out.’
83 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
84 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
85 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
86 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
87 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
88 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
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
89 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
90 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
91 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
92 of 93
Aesop’s Fables
93 of 93