Aesop's Fables — Aesop

Aesop's Fables

Aesop · Licencia: Public domain · Fuente

• Translated by George Fyler Townsend ¶3
• It is wise to turn circumstances to good account. ¶8
• AN ASS having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchanted; and, desiring to possess the same charms of melody, demanded what sort of food they lived on to give them such beautiful voices. They replied, "The dew." The Ass resolved that he would live only upon dew, and in a short time died of hunger. ¶10
• "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion." ¶13
• The Charcoal-Burner And The Fuller ¶14
• A BOY was hunting for locusts. He had caught a goodly number, when he saw a Scorpion, and mistaking him for a locust, reached out his hand to take him. The Scorpion, showing his sting, said: "If you had but touched me, my friend, you would have lost me, and all your locusts too!" ¶20
• A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: "If your owner had found thee, and not I, he would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world." ¶22
• In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains. ¶27
• A TRAVELER about to set out on a journey saw his Dog stand at the door stretching himself. He asked him sharply: "Why do you stand there gaping? Everything is ready but you, so come with me instantly." The Dog, wagging his tail, replied: "O, master! I am quite ready; it is you for whom I am waiting." ¶36
• The loiterer often blames delay on his more active friend. ¶37
• The Herdsman and the Lost Bull ¶42
• Slow but steady wins the race. ¶46
• The Pomegranate, Apple-Tree, and Bramble ¶47
• THE POMEGRANATE and Apple-Tree disputed as to which was the most beautiful. When their strife was at its height, a Bramble from the neighboring hedge lifted up its voice, and said in a boastful tone: "Pray, my dear friends, in my presence at least cease from such vain disputings." ¶48
• Birds of a feather flock together. ¶51
• The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful. ¶54
• No arguments will give courage to the coward. ¶57
• A BEAR boasted very much of his philanthropy, saying that of all animals he was the most tender in his regard for man, for he had such respect for him that he would not even touch his dead body. A Fox hearing these words said with a smile to the Bear, "Oh! that you would eat the dead and not the living." ¶59
• THE SWALLOW and the Crow had a contention about their plumage. The Crow put an end to the dispute by saying, "Your feathers are all very well in the spring, but mine protect me against the winter." ¶61
• Fair weather friends are not worth much. ¶62
• A MOUNTAIN was once greatly agitated. Loud groans and noises were heard, and crowds of people came from all parts to see what was the matter. While they were assembled in anxious expectation of some terrible calamity, out came a Mouse. ¶64
• Don't make much ado about nothing. ¶65
• The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion ¶66
• If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined. ¶70
• Pleasure bought with pains, hurts. ¶73
• One story is good, till another is told. ¶76
• If words suffice not, blows must follow. ¶79
• A DOG lay in a manger, and by his growling and snapping prevented the oxen from eating the hay which had been placed for them. "What a selfish Dog!" said one of them to his companions; "he cannot eat the hay himself, and yet refuses to allow those to eat who can." ¶81
• The Bear and the Two Travelers ¶85
• Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. ¶87
• A HEAVY WAGON was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: "Hullo there! why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out." ¶89
• Those who suffer most cry out the least. ¶90
• Zeal should not outrun discretion. ¶93
• Change of habit cannot alter Nature. ¶96
• Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be hid. ¶99
• He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others. ¶104
• A GROOM used to spend whole days in currycombing and rubbing down his Horse, but at the same time stole his oats and sold them for his own profit. "Alas!" said the Horse, "if you really wish me to be in good condition, you should groom me less, and feed me more." ¶106
• The value is in the worth, not in the number. ¶111
• The Piglet, the Sheep, and the Goat ¶116
• Do not attempt too much at once. ¶120

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