Fables by Aesop (e book reader pdf txt) ๐
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Whether itโs the benefits of taking it slow and steady (โThe Tortoise and the Hareโ), the necessity of invention (โThe Crow and the Pitcherโ), or the problems of cognitive dissonance (โThe Fox and the Grapesโ), Aesop has a fable for every occasion. Aesop lived in Greece in the 6th century BCE, far enough in the past that itโs become impossible to ascribe all these fables to him. Some were certainly retellings of older myths, some share their roots in collections of fables from India and further afield, and many were added well after his time. However, they all share a certain quality of prose that marks them out as belonging to the collection regardless of authorship. Itโs that quality, combined with their insight into the human character, that has meant that theyโve stood the test of time for twenty-five centuries.
This collection is the 1912 translation by V. S. Vernon Jones, comprising two hundred and eighty-four of the fables.
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- Author: Aesop
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A Snake suffered a good deal from being constantly trodden upon by man and beast, owing partly to the length of his body and partly to his being unable to raise himself above the surface of the ground: so he went and complained to Jupiter about the risks to which he was exposed. But Jupiter had little sympathy for him. โI dare say,โ said he, โthat if you had bitten the first that trod on you, the others would have taken more trouble to look where they put their feet.โ
The Wolf and His ShadowA Wolf, who was roaming about on the plain when the sun was getting low in the sky, was much impressed by the size of his shadow, and said to himself, โI had no idea I was so big. Fancy my being afraid of a lion! Why, I, not he, ought to be King of the beastsโ; and, heedless of danger, he strutted about as if there could be no doubt at all about it. Just then a lion sprang upon him and began to devour him. โAlas,โ he cried, โhad I not lost sight of the facts, I shouldnโt have been ruined by my fancies.โ
The Ploughman and the WolfA Ploughman loosed his oxen from the plough, and led them away to the water to drink. While he was absent a half-starved Wolf appeared on the scene, and went up to the plough and began chewing the leather straps attached to the yoke. As he gnawed away desperately in the hope of satisfying his craving for food, he somehow got entangled in the harness, and, taking fright, struggled to get free, tugging at the traces as if he would drag the plough along with him. Just then the Ploughman came back, and seeing what was happening, he cried, โAh, you old rascal, I wish you would give up thieving for good and take to honest work instead.โ
Mercury and the Man Bitten by an AntA Man once saw a ship go down with all its crew, and commented severely on the injustice of the gods. โThey care nothing for a manโs character,โ said he, โbut let the good and the bad go to their deaths together.โ There was an ant-heap close by where he was standing, and, just as he spoke, he was bitten in the foot by an Ant. Turning in a temper to the ant-heap he stamped upon it and crushed hundreds of unoffending ants. Suddenly Mercury appeared, and belaboured him with his staff, saying as he did so, โYou villain, whereโs your nice sense of justice now?โ
The Wily LionA Lion watched a fat Bull feeding in a meadow, and his mouth watered when he thought of the royal feast he would make, but he did not dare to attack him, for he was afraid of his sharp horns. Hunger, however, presently compelled him to do something: and as the use of force did not promise success, he determined to resort to artifice. Going up to the Bull in friendly fashion, he said to him, โI cannot help saying how much I admire your magnificent figure. What a fine head! What powerful shoulders and thighs! But, my dear friend, what in the world makes you wear those ugly horns? You must find them as awkward as they are unsightly. Believe me, you would do much better without them.โ The Bull was foolish enough to be persuaded by this flattery to have his horns cut off; and, having now lost his only means of defence, fell an easy prey to the Lion.
The Parrot and the CatA Man once bought a Parrot and gave it the run of his house. It revelled in its liberty, and presently flew up on to the mantelpiece and screamed away to its heartโs content. The noise disturbed the Cat, who was asleep on the hearthrug. Looking up at the intruder, she said, โWho may you be, and where have you come from?โ The Parrot replied, โYour master has just bought me and brought me home with him.โ โYou impudent bird,โ said the Cat, โhow dare you, a newcomer, make a noise like that? Why, I was born here, and have lived here all my life, and yet, if I venture to mew, they throw things at me and chase me all over the place.โ โLook here, mistress,โ said the Parrot, โyou just hold your tongue. My voice they delight in; but yoursโ โyours is a perfect nuisance.โ
The Stag and the LionA Stag was chased by the hounds, and took refuge in a cave, where he hoped to be safe from his pursuers. Unfortunately the cave contained a Lion, to whom he fell an easy prey. โUnhappy that I am,โ he cried, โI am saved from the power of the dogs only to fall into the clutches of a Lion.โ
Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
The ImpostorA certain man fell ill, and, being in a very bad way, he made a vow that he would sacrifice a hundred oxen to the gods if they would grant him a return to health. Wishing to see how he would keep his vow, they
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