Fables by Aesop (e book reader pdf txt) ๐
Description
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.
Read free book ยซFables by Aesop (e book reader pdf txt) ๐ยป - read online or download for free at americanlibrarybooks.com
- Author: Aesop
Read book online ยซFables by Aesop (e book reader pdf txt) ๐ยป. Author - Aesop
False faith may escape human punishment, but cannot escape the divine.
The Butcher and His CustomersTwo Men were buying meat at a Butcherโs stall in the marketplace, and, while the Butcherโs back was turned for a moment, one of them snatched up a joint and hastily thrust it under the otherโs cloak, where it could not be seen. When the Butcher turned round, he missed the meat at once, and charged them with having stolen it: but the one who had taken it said he hadnโt got it, and the one who had got it said he hadnโt taken it. The Butcher felt sure they were deceiving him, but he only said, โYou may cheat me with your lying, but you canโt cheat the gods, and they wonโt let you off so lightly.โ
Prevarication often amounts to perjury.
Hercules and MinervaHercules was once travelling along a narrow road when he saw lying on the ground in front of him what appeared to be an apple, and as he passed he stamped upon it with his heel. To his astonishment, instead of being crushed it doubled in size; and, on his attacking it again and smiting it with his club, it swelled up to an enormous size and blocked up the whole road. Upon this he dropped his club, and stood looking at it in amazement. Just then Minerva appeared, and said to him, โLeave it alone, my friend; that which you see before you is the apple of discord: if you do not meddle with it, it remains small as it was at first, but if you resort to violence it swells into the thing you see.โ
The Fox Who Served a LionA Lion had a Fox to attend on him, and whenever they went hunting the Fox found the prey and the Lion fell upon it and killed it, and then they divided it between them in certain proportions. But the Lion always got a very large share, and the Fox a very small one, which didnโt please the latter at all; so he determined to set up on his own account. He began by trying to steal a lamb from a flock of sheep: but the shepherd saw him and set his dogs on him. The hunter was now the hunted, and was very soon caught and despatched by the dogs.
Better servitude with safety than freedom with danger.
The Quack DoctorA certain man fell sick and took to his bed. He consulted a number of doctors from time to time, and they all, with one exception, told him that his life was in no immediate danger, but that his illness would probably last a considerable time. The one who took a different view of his case, who was also the last to be consulted, bade him prepare for the worst: โYou have not twenty-four hours to live,โ said he, โand I fear I can do nothing.โ As it turned out, however, he was quite wrong; for at the end of a few days the sick man quitted his bed and took a walk abroad, looking, it is true, as pale as a ghost. In the course of his walk he met the Doctor who had prophesied his death. โDear me,โ said the latter, โhow do you do? You are fresh from the other world, no doubt. Pray, how are our departed friends getting on there?โ โMost comfortably,โ replied the other, โfor they have drunk the water of oblivion, and have forgotten all the troubles of life. By the way, just before I left, the authorities were making arrangements to prosecute all the doctors, because they wonโt let sick men die in the course of nature, but use their arts to keep them alive. They were going to charge you along with the rest, till I assured them that you were no doctor, but a mere impostor.โ
The Lion, the Wolf, and the FoxA Lion, infirm with age, lay sick in his den, and all the beasts of the forest came to inquire after his health with the exception of the Fox. The Wolf thought this was a good opportunity for paying off old scores against the Fox, so he called the attention of the Lion to his absence, and said, โYou see, sire, that we have all come to see how you are except the Fox, who hasnโt come near you, and doesnโt care whether you are well or ill.โ Just then the Fox came in and heard the last words of the Wolf. The Lion roared at him in deep displeasure, but he begged to be allowed to explain his absence, and said, โNot one of them cares for you so much as I, sire, for all the time I have been going round to the doctors and trying to find a cure for your illness.โ โAnd may I ask if you have found one?โ said the Lion. โI have, sire,โ said the Fox, โand it is this: you must flay a Wolf and wrap yourself in his skin while it is still warm.โ The Lion accordingly turned to the Wolf and struck him dead with one blow of his paw, in order to try the Foxโs prescription; but the Fox laughed and said to himself, โThatโs what comes of stirring up ill-will.โ
Hercules and PlutusWhen Hercules was received among the gods and was entertained at a banquet by Jupiter, he responded courteously to the greetings of all with the exception of Plutus, the god of wealth. When Plutus approached him,
Comments (0)