American library books ยป Other ยป Fables by Aesop (e book reader pdf txt) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซFables by Aesop (e book reader pdf txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Aesop



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to look at youโ€; and he let it go. Some time after this the Bat was caught in just the same way by another Weasel, and, as before, begged for its life. โ€œNo,โ€ said the Weasel, โ€œI never let a mouse go by any chance.โ€ โ€œBut Iโ€™m not a mouse,โ€ said the Bat; โ€œIโ€™m a bird.โ€ โ€œWhy, so you are,โ€ said the Weasel; and he too let the Bat go.

Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

The Dog and the Sow

A Dog and a Sow were arguing and each claimed that its own young ones were finer than those of any other animal. โ€œWell,โ€ said the Sow at last, โ€œmine can see, at any rate, when they come into the world: but yours are born blind.โ€

The Fox and the Crow

A Crow was sitting on a branch of a tree with a piece of cheese in her beak when a Fox observed her and set his wits to work to discover some way of getting the cheese. Coming and standing under the tree he looked up and said, โ€œWhat a noble bird I see above me! Her beauty is without equal, the hue of her plumage exquisite. If only her voice is as sweet as her looks are fair, she ought without doubt to be Queen of the Birds.โ€ The Crow was hugely flattered by this, and just to show the Fox that she could sing she gave a loud caw. Down came the cheese, of course, and the Fox, snatching it up, said, โ€œYou have a voice, madam, I see: what you want is wits.โ€

The Horse and the Groom

There was once a Groom who used to spend long hours clipping and combing the Horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a portion of his allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit. The Horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried to the Groom, โ€œIf you really want me to look sleek and well, you must comb me less and feed me more.โ€

The Wolf and the Lamb

A Wolf came upon a Lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse; so he cast about for a grievance and said at last, โ€œLast year, sirrah, you grossly insulted me.โ€ โ€œThat is impossible, sir,โ€ bleated the Lamb, โ€œfor I wasnโ€™t born then.โ€ โ€œWell,โ€ retorted the Wolf, โ€œyou feed in my pastures.โ€ โ€œThat cannot be,โ€ replied the Lamb, โ€œfor I have never yet tasted grass.โ€ โ€œYou drink from my spring, then,โ€ continued the Wolf. โ€œIndeed, sir,โ€ said the poor Lamb, โ€œI have never yet drunk anything but my motherโ€™s milk.โ€ โ€œWell, anyhow,โ€ said the Wolf, โ€œIโ€™m not going without my dinnerโ€: and he sprang upon the Lamb and devoured it without more ado.

The Peacock and the Crane

A Peacock taunted a Crane with the dullness of her plumage. โ€œLook at my brilliant colours,โ€ said she, โ€œand see how much finer they are than your poor feathers.โ€ โ€œI am not denying,โ€ replied the Crane, โ€œthat yours are far gayer than mine; but when it comes to flying I can soar into the clouds, whereas you are confined to the earth like any dunghill cock.โ€

The Cat and the Birds

A Cat heard that the Birds in an aviary were ailing. So he got himself up as a doctor, and, taking with him a set of the instruments proper to his profession, presented himself at the door, and inquired after the health of the Birds. โ€œWe shall do very well,โ€ they replied, without letting him in, โ€œwhen weโ€™ve seen the last of you.โ€

A villain may disguise himself, but he will not deceive the wise.

The Spendthrift and the Swallow

A Spendthrift, who had wasted his fortune, and had nothing left but the clothes in which he stood, saw a Swallow one fine day in early spring. Thinking that summer had come, and that he could now do without his coat, he went and sold it for what it would fetch. A change, however, took place in the weather, and there came a sharp frost which killed the unfortunate Swallow. When the Spendthrift saw its dead body he cried, โ€œMiserable bird! Thanks to you I am perishing of cold myself.โ€

One swallow does not make summer.

The Old Woman and the Doctor

An Old Woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the eyes, and, after consulting a Doctor, made an agreement with him in the presence of witnesses that she should pay him a high fee if he cured her, while if he failed he was to receive nothing. The Doctor accordingly prescribed a course of treatment, and every time he paid her a visit he took away with him some article out of the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last time, and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the Old Woman saw that the house was empty she refused to pay him his fee; and, after repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into court she was ready with her defence. โ€œThe claimant,โ€ said she, โ€œhas stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I undertook to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to charge nothing if he failed. Now, he says I am cured; but I say that I am blinder than ever, and I can prove what I say. When my eyes were bad I could at any rate see well enough to be aware that my house contained a certain amount of furniture and other things; but now, when according to him I am cured,

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