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Aesop’s Fables
Part Six

The Wolf and the Shepherd

A Wolf followed a flock of sheep for a long time and did not attempt to injure one of
them. The Shepherd at first stood on his guard against him, as against an enemy, and
kept a strict watch over his movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the
company of the sheep and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the
Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than as a plotter of
evil against it; and when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep
entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had the opportunity, fell upon the sheep,
and destroyed the greater part of the flock. When the Shepherd returned to find his
flock destroyed, he exclaimed: "I have been rightly served; why did I trust my sheep
to a Wolf?'

The Hares and the Lions

The Hares harangued the assembly, and argued that all should be equal. The Lions
made this reply: "Your words, O Hares! are good; but they lack both claws and teeth
such as we have."

The Lark and Her Young Ones

A Lark had made her nest in the early spring on the young green wheat. The brood
had almost grown to their full strength and attained the use of their wings and the full
plumage of their feathers, when the owner of the field, looking over his ripe crop,
said, "The time has come when I must ask all my neighbors to help me with my
harvest." One of the young Larks heard his speech and related it to his mother,
inquiring of her to what place they should move for safety. "There is no occasion to
move yet, my son," she replied; "the man who only sends to his friends to help him
with his harvest is not really in earnest." The owner of the field came again a few days
later and saw the wheat shedding the grain from excess of ripeness. He said, "I will
come myself tomorrow with my laborers, and with as many reapers as I can hire, and
will get in the harvest." The Lark on hearing these words said to her brood, "It is time
now to be off, my little ones, for the man is in earnest this time; he no longer trusts his
friends, but will reap the field himself."

Self-help is the best help.

The Fox and the Lion

When a Fox who had never yet seen a Lion, fell in with him by chance for the first
time in the forest, he was so frightened that he nearly died with fear. On meeting him
for the second time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same extent as at first.
On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness that he went up to him and
commenced a familiar conversation with him.

Acquaintance softens prejudices.

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The Weasel and the Mice

A Weasel, inactive from age and infirmities, was not able to catch mice as he once
did. He therefore rolled himself in flour and lay down in a dark corner. A Mouse,
supposing him to be food, leaped upon him, and was instantly caught and squeezed to
death. Another perished in a similar manner, and then a third, and still others after
them. A very old Mouse, who had escaped many a trap and snare, observed from a
safe distance the trick of his crafty foe and said, "Ah! you that lie there, may you
prosper just in the same proportion as you are what you pretend to be!"

The Boy Bathing

A boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a passing
traveler for help, but instead of holding out a helping hand, the man stood by
unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth,
"pray help me now and scold me afterwards."

Counsel without help is useless.

The Ass and the Wolf

An Ass feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him, and immediately
pretended to be lame. The Wolf, coming up, inquired the cause of his lameness. The
Ass replied that passing through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn.
He requested that the Wolf pull it out, lest when he ate him it should injure his throat.
The Wolf consented and lifted up the foot, and was giving his whole mind to the
discovery of the thorn, when the Ass, with his heels, kicked his teeth into his mouth
and galloped away. The Wolf, being thus fearfully mauled, said, "I am rightly served,
for why did I attempt the art of healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a
butcher?'

The Seller of Images

A certain man made a wooden image of Mercury and offered it for sale. When no one
appeared willing to buy it, in order to attract purchasers, he cried out that he had the
statue to sell of a benefactor who bestowed wealth and helped to heap up riches. One
of the bystanders said to him, "My good fellow, why do you sell him, being such a
one as you describe, when you may yourself enjoy the good things he has to give?'
"Why," he replied, "I am in need of immediate help, and he is wont to give his good
gifts very slowly."

The Fox and the Grapes

A famished Fox saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging from a trellised vine.
She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could
not reach them. At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and saying: "The
Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought."
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The Man and His Wife

A Man had a Wife who made herself hated by all the members of his household.
Wishing to find out if she had the same effect on the persons in her father's house, he
made some excuse to send her home on a visit to her father. After a short time she
returned, and when he inquired how she had got on and how the servants had treated
her, she replied, "The herdsmen and shepherds cast on me looks of aversion." He said,
"O Wife, if you were disliked by those who go out early in the morning with their
flocks and return late in the evening, what must have been felt towards you by those
with whom you passed the whole day!"

Straws show how the wind blows.

The Peacock and Juno

The Peacock made complaint to Juno that, while the nightingale pleased every ear
with his song, he himself no sooner opened his mouth than he became a laughingstock
to all who heard him. The Goddess, to console him, said, "But you far excel in beauty
and in size. The splendor of the emerald shines in your neck and you unfold a tail
gorgeous with painted plumage." "But for what purpose have I," said the bird, "this
dumb beauty so long as I am surpassed in song?' "The lot of each," replied Juno, "has
been assigned by the will of the Fates--to thee, beauty; to the eagle, strength; to the
nightingale, song; to the raven, favorable, and to the crow, unfavorable auguries.
These are all contented with the endowments allotted to them."

The Hawk and the Nightingale

A Nightingale, sitting aloft upon an oak and singing according to his wont, was seen
by a Hawk who, being in need of food, swooped down and seized him. The
Nightingale, about to lose his life, earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying
that he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted food,
ought to pursue the larger birds. The Hawk, interrupting him, said: "I should indeed
have lost my senses if I should let go food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing
birds which are not yet even within sight."

The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox

A Dog and a Cock being great friends, agreed to travel together. At nightfall they took
shelter in a thick wood. The Cock flying up, perched himself on the branches of a
tree, while the Dog found a bed beneath in the hollow trunk. When the morning
dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed very loudly several times. A Fox heard the sound,
and wishing to make a breakfast on him, came and stood under the branches, saying
how earnestly he desired to make the acquaintance of the owner of so magnificent a
voice. The Cock, suspecting his civilities, said: "Sir, I wish you would do me the
favor of going around to the hollow trunk below me, and waking my porter, so that he
may open the door and let you in." When the Fox approached the tree, the Dog sprang
out and caught him, and tore him to pieces.

The Wolf and the Goat

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A Wolf saw a Goat feeding at the summit of a steep precipice, where he had no
chance of reaching her. He called to her and earnestly begged her to come lower
down, lest she fall by some mishap; and he added that the meadows lay where he was
standing, and that the herbage was most tender. She replied, "No, my friend, it is not
for the pasture that you invite me, but for yourself, who are in want of food."

The Lion and the Bull

A Lion, greatly desiring to capture a Bull, and yet afraid to attack him on account of
his great size, resorted to a trick to ensure his destruction. He approached the Bull and
said, "I have slain a fine sheep, my friend; and if you will come home and partake of
him with me, I shall be delighted to have your company." The Lion said this in the
hope that, as the Bull was in the act of reclining to eat, he might attack him to
advantage, and make his meal on him. The Bull, on approaching the Lion's den, saw
the huge spits and giant caldrons, and no sign whatever of the sheep, and, without
saying a word, quietly took his departure. The Lion inquired why he went off so
abruptly without a word of salutation to his host, who had not given him any cause for
offense. "I have reasons enough," said the Bull. "I see no indication whatever of your
having slaughtered a sheep, while I do see very plainly every preparation for your
dining on a bull."

The Goat and the Ass

A man once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat, envying the Ass on account of his
greater abundance of food, said, "How shamefully you are treated: at one time
grinding in the mill, and at another carrying heavy burdens"; and he further advised
him to pretend to be epileptic and fall into a ditch and so obtain rest. The Ass listened
to his words, and falling into a ditch, was very much bruised. His master, sending for
a leech, asked his advice. He bade him pour upon the wounds the lungs of a Goat.
They at once killed the Goat, and so healed the Ass.

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

A Country Mouse invited a Town Mouse, an intimate friend, to pay him a visit and
partake of his country fare. As they were on the bare plowlands, eating there wheat-
stocks and roots pulled up from the hedgerow, the Town Mouse said to his friend,
"You live here the life of the ants, while in my house is the horn of plenty. I am
surrounded by every luxury, and if you will come with me, as I wish you would, you
shall have an ample share of my dainties." The Country Mouse was easily persuaded,
and returned to town with his friend. On his arrival, the Town Mouse placed before
him bread, barley, beans, dried figs, honey, raisins, and, last of all, brought a dainty
piece of cheese from a basket. The Country Mouse, being much delighted at the sight
of such good cheer, expressed his satisfaction in warm terms and lamented his own
hard fate. Just as they were beginning to eat, someone opened the door, and they both
ran off squeaking, as fast as they could, to a hole so narrow that two could only find
room in it by squeezing. They had scarcely begun their repast again when someone
else entered to take something out of a cupboard, whereupon the two Mice, more
frightened than before, ran away and hid themselves. At last the Country Mouse,
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almost famished, said to his friend: "Although you have prepared for me so dainty a
feast, I must leave you to enjoy it by yourself. It is surrounded by too many dangers to
please me. I prefer my bare plowlands and roots from the hedgerow, where I can live
in safety, and without fear."

The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape

A Wolf accused a Fox of theft, but the Fox entirely denied the charge. An Ape
undertook to adjudge the matter between them. When each had fully stated his case
the Ape announced this sentence: "I do not think you, Wolf, ever lost what you claim;
and I do believe you, Fox, to have stolen what you so stoutly deny."

The dishonest, if they act honestly, get no credit.

The Fly and the Draught-Mule

A Fly sat on the axle-tree of a chariot, and addressing the Draught-Mule said, "How
slow you are! Why do you not go faster? See if I do not prick your neck with my
sting." The Draught-Mule replied, "I do not heed your threats; I only care for him who
sits above you, and who quickens my pace with his whip, or holds me back with the
reins. Away, therefore, with your insolence, for I know well when to go fast, and
when to go slow."

The Fishermen

Some Fishermen were out trawling their nets. Perceiving them to be very heavy, they
danced about for joy and supposed that they had taken a large catch. When they had
dragged the nets to the shore they found but few fish: the nets were full of sand and
stones, and the men were beyond measure cast downso much at the disappointment
which had befallen them, but because they had formed such very different
expectations. One of their company, an old man, said, "Let us cease lamenting, my
mates, for, as it seems to me, sorrow is always the twin sister of joy; and it was only
to be looked for that we, who just now were over-rejoiced, should next have
something to make us sad."

The Lion and the Three Bulls

Three Bulls for a long time pastured together. A Lion lay in ambush in the hope of
making them his prey, but was afraid to attack them while they kept together. Having
at last by guileful speeches succeeded in separating them, he attacked them without
fear as they fed alone, and feasted on them one by one at his own leisure.

Union is strength.

The Fowler and the Viper

A Fowler, taking his bird-lime and his twigs, went out to catch birds. Seeing a thrush
sitting upon a tree, he wished to take it, and fitting his twigs to a proper length,
watched intently, having his whole thoughts directed towards the sky. While thus
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looking upwards, he unknowingly trod upon a Viper asleep just before his feet. The
Viper, turning about, stung him, and falling into a swoon, the man said to himself,
"Woe is me! that while I purposed to hunt another, I am myself fallen unawares into
the snares of death."

The Horse and the Ass

A Horse, proud of his fine trappings, met an Ass on the highway. The Ass, being
heavily laden, moved slowly out of the way. "Hardly," said the Horse, "can I resist
kicking you with my heels." The Ass held his peace, and made only a silent appeal to
the justice of the gods. Not long afterwards the Horse, having become broken-winded,
was sent by his owner to the farm. The Ass, seeing him drawing a dungcart, thus
derided him: "Where, O boaster, are now all thy gay trappings, thou who are thyself
reduced to the condition you so lately treated with contempt?'

The Fox and the Mask

A Fox entered the house of an actor and, rummaging through all his properties, came
upon a Mask, an admirable imitation of a human head. He placed his paws on it and
said, "What a beautiful head! Yet it is of no value, as it entirely lacks brains."

The Geese and the Cranes

The Geese and the Cranes were feeding in the same meadow, when a birdcatcher
came to ensnare them in his nets. The Cranes, being light of wing, fled away at his
approach; while the Geese, being slower of flight and heavier in their bodies, were
captured.

The Blind Man and the Whelp

A Blind Man was accustomed to distinguishing different animals by touching them

with his hands. The whelp of a Wolf was brought him, with a request that he would
feel it, and say what it was. He felt it, and being in doubt, said: "I do not quite know
whether it is the cub of a Fox, or the whelp of a Wolf, but this I know full well. It
would not be safe to admit him to the sheepfold."

Evil tendencies are shown in early life.

The Dogs and the Fox

Some Dogs, finding the skin of a lion, began to tear it in pieces with their teeth. A
Fox, seeing them, said, "If this lion were alive, you would soon find out that his claws
were stronger than your teeth."

It is easy to kick a man that is down.

The Cobbler Turned Doctor

A Cobbler unable to make a living by his trade and made desperate by poverty, began
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to practice medicine in a town in which he was not known. He sold a drug, pretending
that it was an antidote to all poisons, and obtained a great name for himself by long-
winded puffs and advertisements. When the Cobbler happened to fall sick himself of a
serious illness, the Governor of the town determined to test his skill. For this purpose
he called for a cup, and while filling it with water, pretended to mix poison with the
Cobbler's antidote, commanding him to drink it on the promise of a reward. The
Cobbler, under the fear of death, confessed that he had no knowledge of medicine,
and was only made famous by the stupid clamors of the crowd. The Governor then
called a public assembly and addressed the citizens: "Of what folly have you been
guilty? You have not hesitated to entrust your heads to a man, whom no one could
employ to make even the shoes for their feet."

The Wolf and the Horse

A Wolf coming out of a field of oats met a Horse and thus addressed him: "I would
advise you to go into that field. It is full of fine oats, which I have left untouched for
you, as you are a friend whom I would love to hear enjoying good eating." The Horse
replied, "If oats had been the food of wolves, you would never have indulged your
ears at the cost of your belly."

Men of evil reputation, when they perform a good deed, fail to get credit for it.

The Brother and the Sister

A father had one son and one daughter, the former remarkable for his good looks, the
latter for her extraordinary ugliness. While they were playing one day as children,
they happened by chance to look together into a mirror that was placed on their
mother's chair. The boy congratulated himself on his good looks; the girl grew angry,
and could not bear the self-praises of her Brother, interpreting all he said (and how
could she do otherwise?) into reflection on herself. She ran off to her father. to be
avenged on her Brother, and spitefully accused him of having, as a boy, made use of
that which belonged only to girls. The father embraced them both, and bestowing his
kisses and affection impartially on each, said, "I wish you both would look into the
mirror every day: you, my son, that you may not spoil your beauty by evil conduct;
and you, my daughter, that you may make up for your lack of beauty by your virtues."

The Wasps, the Partridges, and the Farmer

The Wasps and the Partridges, overcome with thirst, came to a Farmer and besought
him to give them some water to drink. They promised amply to repay him the favor
which they asked. The Partridges declared that they would dig around his vines and
make them produce finer grapes. The Wasps said that they would keep guard and
drive off thieves with their stings. But the Farmer interrupted them, saying: "I have
already two oxen, who, without making any promises, do all these things. It is surely
better for me to give the water to them than to you."

The Crow and Mercury

A Crow caught in a snare prayed to Apollo to release him, making a vow to offer
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some frankincense at his shrine. But when rescued from his danger, he forgot his
promise. Shortly afterwards, again caught in a snare, he passed by Apollo and made
the same promise to offer frankincense to Mercury. Mercury soon appeared and said
to him, "O thou most base fellow? how can I believe thee, who hast disowned and
wronged thy former patron?'

The North Wind and the Sun

The North Wind and the Sun disputed as to which was the most powerful, and agreed
that he should be declared the victor who could first strip a wayfaring man of his
clothes. The North Wind first tried his power and blew with all his might, but the
keener his blasts, the closer the Traveler wrapped his cloak around him, until at last,
resigning all hope of victory, the Wind called upon the Sun to see what he could do.
The Sun suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The Traveler no sooner felt his
genial rays than he took off one garment after another, and at last, fairly overcome
with heat, undressed and bathed in a stream that lay in his path.

Persuasion is better than Force.

The Two Men Who Were Enemies

Two Men, deadly enemies to each other, were sailing in the same vessel. Determined
to keep as far apart as possible, the one seated himself in the stem, and the other in the
prow of the ship. A violent storm arose, and with the vessel in great danger of sinking,
the one in the stern inquired of the pilot which of the two ends of the ship would go
down first. On his replying that he supposed it would be the prow, the Man said,
"Death would not be grievous to me, if I could only see my Enemy die before me."

The Gamecocks and the Partridge

A man had two Gamecocks in his poultry-yard. One day by chance he found a tame
Partridge for sale. He purchased it and brought it home to be reared with his
Gamecocks. When the Partridge was put into the poultry-yard, they struck at it and
followed it about, so that the Partridge became grievously troubled and supposed that
he was thus evilly treated because he was a stranger. Not long afterwards he saw the
Cocks fighting together and not separating before one had well beaten the other. He
then said to himself, "I shall no longer distress myself at being struck at by these
Gamecocks, when I see that they cannot even refrain from quarreling with each
other."

The Quack Frog

A Frog once upon a time came forth from his home in the marsh and proclaimed to all
the beasts that he was a learned physician, skilled in the use of drugs and able to heal
all diseases. A Fox asked him, "How can you pretend to prescribe for others, when
you are unable to heal your own lame gait and wrinkled skin?'

The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox

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A Lion, growing old, lay sick in his cave. All the beasts came to visit their king,
except the Fox. The Wolf therefore, thinking that he had a capital opportunity,
accused the Fox to the Lion of not paying any respect to him who had the rule over
them all and of not coming to visit him. At that very moment the Fox came in and
heard these last words of the Wolf. The Lion roaring out in a rage against him, the
Fox sought an opportunity to defend himself and said, "And who of all those who
have come to you have benefited you so much as I, who have traveled from place to
place in every direction, and have sought and learnt from the physicians the means of
healing you?' The Lion commanded him immediately to tell him the cure, when he
replied, "You must flay a wolf alive and wrap his skin yet warm around you." The
Wolf was at once taken and flayed; whereon the Fox, turning to him, said with a
smile, "You should have moved your master not to ill, but to good, will."

The Dog's House

In the wintertime, a Dog curled up in as small a space as possible on account of the

cold, determined to make himself a house. However when the summer returned again,
he lay asleep stretched at his full length and appeared to himself to be of a great size.
Now he considered that it would be neither an easy nor a necessary work to make
himself such a house as would accommodate him.

The Wolf and the Lion

Roaming by the mountainside at sundown, a Wolf saw his own shadow become
greatly extended and magnified, and he said to himself, "Why should I, being of such
an immense size and extending nearly an acre in length, be afraid of the Lion? Ought
I not to be acknowledged as King of all the collected beasts?' While he was indulging
in these proud thoughts, a Lion fell upon him and killed him. He exclaimed with a too
late repentance, "Wretched me! this overestimation of myself is the cause of my
destruction."

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