10 Aesop's Fables

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

It is believed that Aesop lived between 620 BC and 560 BC, but there is no certainty about the location where
was born. It is unknown whether he came from Thrace, Phrygia, Ethiopia, Samos, Athens, or Sardis, but they say
ancient authors that he was a slave of a citizen named Idamon, in Samos, in present-day Greece.
According to Herodotus, who wrote about two hundred years later, Aesop met a violent death, having
was thrown into a precipice by the people of Delphi. However, the offense he would have committed is unknown.
One author says that it was the biting sarcasm of the fables, another recounts that he appropriated money that
King Croesus of Lydia had entrusted him; another version says that Aesop stole a silver cup.

Some writers deny the existence of Aesop, and the truth is that we have few details about his
life and your work. Even your physical appearance is debatable. According to a monk from Constantinople,
Maximos Planudes, who wrote in the 14th century, said that Aesop was an ugly and deformed dwarf, and that is how the
famous marble statue of Villa Albani, in Rome, represents him. But Plutarch, writing around
One thousand three hundred years ago does not tell us anything about their physical appearance. It is said that the Athenians
they erected a magnificent statue in honor of Aesop. It is currently considered that, although Aesop
if he had existed, he was not the author of the famous fables attributed to him. They were familiar to him, but
did not write any, limiting themselves to telling the stories to others. In Greece, the fables were
popular, as in the whole ancient world. They certainly were, hundreds of years before the time of
Aesop.

In the Middle Ages, there were three collections of the so-called 'Fables of Aesop'; one compiled by the monk
Maximus Planudes in the 14th century, another published in Heidelberg in 1610 and a manuscript discovered
in Florence, dating probably from the 13th century. The Greek collection of Maximus Planudes was
published in Milan in 1840, with a Latin translation by an Italian scholar named Ranuzio.
Currently, Aesop's fables can be read in more than two hundred and fifty languages.
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FABLES

THE TURTLE AND THE HARE

A turtle and a hare were arguing about who was faster. So, they agreed on a date.
for a race and a place they should reach. On the right day, they set off. The hare, who relied on
her natural speed, did not worry about the race. She fell by the side of a road and fell asleep. Already the
the turtle, known for being so slow, did not waste time and, leaving the sleepy hare behind,
won the bet.
Moral of the story
Talented but lazy loses to those who face the challenge.

The Ant and the Beetle

It was summer. An ant was traversing the field gathering her supply of wheat and barley for the winter. A
the beetle was amazed to see her so agitated; while she was so busy, the other animals
let's have fun. The ant said nothing. However, later, when winter came and the rain destroyed the
little ones, the beetle went up to her and asked for a little of what she had stored. The ant replied-

Beetle friend, if you had worked in the time when my efforts evoked only yours
sarcasm, now you would have food.
Moral of the story
Who was irresponsible in times of abundance will cry in times of scarcity.
 3. THE DONKEY AND THE LOAD OF SALT

A donkey loaded with salt was crossing a river. One misstep and there it was in the water. The salt then
melted and the donkey stood up lighter. He was all happy. A little while later, being loaded with
sponge on the banks of the same river, thought that if it fell again it would become lighter and fell on purpose.
in the waters. What happened? The sponges became soaked and, unable to rise, the donkey
drowned.
Moral of the story
Some people are victims of their own tricks.

4. THE MAGPIE AND THE PEACOCKS

There was a very proud and vain jay that, as she was unhappy with life, caught some
peacock feathers that had fallen to the ground. He stuck them in the middle of his own feathers and went to meet the
peacocks. But soon the feathers began to fall, and the peacocks attacked her with their beaks
Sharp. Very sad, the jay searched for its old companions, eager to live with them again.
them. But the other magpies, remembering how she had behaved, ignored her. "Friend",
they said to him, "you could have stayed with us and been happy, but you chose to trade us for a
brightest company. At that time, you didn't need us, now it is us who don't need you.
ti.
Moral of the story
We rob each other in many ways and for many reasons, but pride and ignorance only
they make people ridiculous.

The Wolf and the Lamb

A wolf was drinking water from a river when he spotted a lamb that was also drinking from the same water.
a little further down. Hardly had the lamb seen it, the wolf went to meet him. 'What is this, you rascal?'
said the wolf. "What do you intend, muddling the water so that I cannot drink it?"
I'm sorry,
where were you.
The wolf was determined to fight with the lamb. "It may be," he said, "but a few months ago you spoke ill of
mim on my back, you evil one.
"It can't be," said the lamb. "Six months ago, I hadn't even been born yet!"
"What?" said the wolf. "Aren't you ashamed? Your whole family has always hated mine. If it wasn't you
"What did you say badly about me? It was your father!" And saying this, the wolf jumped on the poor lamb,
tore him apart and ate him.
Moral of the story
Those who are devoid of human feelings will rarely heed the voice of reason. When the
power is given to cruelty and injustice, it is useless to argue against them, because the oppressor will find
always a way to blame your trusted victim.

The Dog and the Shadow

A dog, carrying a piece of meat in its mouth, was passing over a bridge over a river when it saw its
shadow reflected in the water down there. Thinking it was another dog that carried a second piece of
meat, the insatiable dog could not resist and threw himself into the water to steal the meat. Of course, instead
by stealing the second piece of meat from him, he lost what he had, which sank to the bottom of the river.
Moral of the story
He who wants everything, loses everything. Greed ends up losing what it desires, and he who intends for more
What he is owed deserves to lose what he has.
 The Wolf and the Stork

While devouring its prey, the wolf got a bone stuck in its throat, which caused it such pain.
that the beast set off running and howling, asking everyone it met for help. Finally,
he found a stork, to which the wolf promised a reward if she managed to take it out of him
painful object of the throat. The stork did what was requested of her and, after removing the bone, asked the wolf for the
your reward. "What folly!" said the wolf. "You put your head inside my mouth and I
I could have easily taken it away. Instead, I allowed you to remove it safely.
Do you think it's a sufficient reward?
Moral of the story
It is said that a good deed deserves a reward, but those who deal with wild animals (and there are many
men who are not better than these) and escapes with their life should not expect another reward.

The Fox and the Crow

A fox saw a crow perched in a tree, with a piece of meat in its beak, and it salivated.
in the mouth. Wanting to steal the meat from the raven, the fox began to flatter the bird. 'How beautiful you are!'
said the fox. "What delicate feathers! I have never seen more beautiful ones than yours! How slender and graceful
What a delicious voice!
The crow was very pleased to hear these beautiful words and began to hop on the branch. Then, to
to prove to himself that he had a wonderful voice, he opened his mouth to sing. Immediately, the piece of
meat fell from his mouth, in the direction of the fox, which swallowed it, pleased with its brilliant idea.
Moral of the story
There are no people in the world who are not swayed by flattery.

9. THE PIG AND THE WOLF

A sow had just given birth to her piglets when a wolf came to visit her. Deep down, he only
I was thinking of devouring one of the piglets, but I didn't know exactly what to do. So, I asked the sow.
how you were feeling, telling him: "If I can ever be of help to you, look for me. You might need
exercise and get some fresh air. If you want, I would be happy to take care of your
family." However, the pig had realized the wolf's plan. "Thank you very much, Mr. wolf," she said,
I see you very well, and the greatest favor you can do for my piggies is to stay far away!
Moral of the story
There is no scheme as dangerous as the one devised by a person who pretends to be a friend.

10. The Dog and the Sheep

Once, a dog sued a sheep for debt and they agreed that the judges of the matter would be a
the hawk and a wolf. The two judges did not take long to resolve the case, deciding in favor of the dog.
Immediately, he threw himself at the sheep, tearing it to pieces and sharing the chunks with the two judges.

Moral of the story