Chapter 126 While chopping down a tree on the bank of a river a woodcutter let his ax slip by chance into the water, and it immediately sank to the bottom. This accident upset him so much that he sat down by the side of the stream and lamented his carelessness with bitter tears. Fortunately, […]

Chapter 125 There was once a dog so wild and mischievous that his master was obliged to fasten a heavy collar with a bell around his neck to prevent him from biting and worrying his neighbors. The dog was so proud of his badge that he paraded about in the marketplace, shaking his collar to

Chapter 124 A horse once had a whole meadow to himself, but a stag came and damaged the pasture. Anxious to gain revenge, the horse asked a man if he would help him punish the stag.“Yes,” said the man, “but you must let me put a bit in your mouth and get on your back.

Chapter 123 An old woman, who had become blind, called in a physician and promised him before witnesses that she would reward him most generously if he could restore her eyesight. However, he was to receive nothing if he did not cure her malady. Upon agreeing to these conditions, the physician treated the old lady’s

Chapter 122 A fox had never seen a lion before, and when he finally encountered one for the first time, he was so terrified that he almost died of fright. When he met him the second time, he was still afraid but managed to conceal his fear. When he saw him the third time, he

Chapter 121 Once when all the beasts were arguing among themselves as to which of the animals could produce the largest number of whelps at birth, they went to the lioness and asked her to settle the dispute.“And how many do you have at birth?” they asked.“One,” she said defiantly, “but that one is a

Chapter 120 A farmer set up a net in his field to catch some cranes that had been constantly feeding upon his newly-sown corn. When he went to examine the net and to see what the cranes had taken, there was a stork among them.“Spare me!” cried the stork. “I’m not a crane. Nor have

Chapter 119 The wind and the sun once had an argument as to which was the stronger of the two, and they agreed to settle the issue by holding a contest: whoever could make a traveller take off his coat first would be recognized as the most powerful. The wind began and blew with all

Chapter 118 One day a fisherman, who earned his living with his nets, caught nothing but one little fish after a long, hard day of work.“Spare me,” pleaded the little creature. “I beg you. I’m so small that I wouldn’t be much of a meal for you anyway. I haven’t reached my full size yet.

Chapter 117 Since the hares were continually threatened by enemies all around them, they once held a meeting to discuss their sad predicament. Eventually they decided that death would be much more preferable to their desperate condition, and off they went to a nearby lake, determined to drown themselves as the most miserable of creatures.It

Chapter 116 A shepherd boy, who tended his flock not far from a village, used to amuse himself at times by crying out “Wolf! Wolf!” His trick succeeded two or three times, and the whole village came running to his rescue. However, the villagers were simply rewarded with mocking laughter for their pains.One day the

Chapter 115 On an ill-fated day a mouse made the acquaintance of a frog, and they set off on their travels together. The frog pretended to be very fond of the mouse and invited him to visit the pond in which he lived. To keep his companion out of harm’s way, the frog tied the

Chapter 114 Hundreds of years ago, a camel asked Jupiter to grant him horns because he felt deprived and defenseless when he regarded other animals.“The bull,” said he, “has horns, the boar, tusks, and the lion and tiger, sharp claws and fangs that make them feared and respected everywhere. On the other hand, I have

Chapter 113 While lapping water at the head of a running brook, a wolf noticed a stray lamb some distance down the stream. Once he made up his mind to attack her, he began thinking of a plausible excuse for making her his prey.“Scoundrel!” he cried, running up to her. “How dare you muddle the

Chapter 112 A crow, as vain and conceited as only a crow can be, picked up the feathers that some peacocks had shed and stuck them among his own. Then he scoffed at his old companions and joined a flock of beautiful peacocks. After introducing himself with great self-confidence, the crow was immediately recognized for