Chapter 81 A dishonest groom used to steal and sell a horse’s oats and grain on a regular basis. He would, however, spend hours busily grooming and rubbing him down to make him appear in good condition. Naturally the horse resented this treatment and, said, “If you really want me to look well, groom me […]
Chapter 80 A fisherman went to a river to fish, and when he had laid his nets, he tied a stone to a long cord and beat the water on both sides of the net to drive the fish into the meshes. One of his neighbors who lived nearby saw him doing this and became
Chapter 79 Two pots, one made of clay, the other of brass, were swept down a river in a flood. The brass pot told his companion to stay by his side, and he would protect him.“Thank you for your offer,” said the clay pot, “but that’s just what frightens me. If you’ll just keep your
Chapter 78 A bowman took aim at an eagle and struck him in the heart. As the eagle turned his head in the agony of death, he saw that the arrow was winged with his own feathers.“How sharper and more painful,” said he, “are the wounds made by weapons we ourselves have supplied to the
Chapter 77 One day a fir tree was boasting to a bramble, “Your life is really without significance and no use to anyone, whereas mine is filled with many high and noble purposes. How could barns and houses be built without me? I furnish taper spars for ships and beams for roofs of palaces.”“Good sir,”
Chapter 76 A hunter was returning from the mountains, loaded with game he had bagged, when he met a fisherman coming home with his basket full of fish. The hunter admired the fish and desired to have them for supper, while the fisherman longed to have a meal of game. So they quickly agreed to
Chapter 75 A trumpeter, who had bravely led the charging soldiers of his regiment, was taken prisoner in battle and begged hard for mercy from his captors.“Spare me, good sirs, I beseech you!” he cried. “There’s no reason to put me to death. I haven’t killed anyone, and I was not carrying any weapons. The
Chapter 74 A fox was once caught in a trap, and the only way he could save himself was by leaving his tail behind him. Knowing that without a tail he would be the laughing stock of all the other foxes, he almost wished that he had died rather than having saved himself. Determined to
Chapter 73 On a hot summer’s day, some travellers, worn out by the heat of the sun, noticed a plane tree and rushed toward it. Once they arrived, they threw themselves down on the ground and rested in the shade of its wide spreading branches. As they were lying there, one of the travellers said
Chapter 72 A long time ago when the world was young, a bee had stocked her combs with a bountiful harvest and flew up to heaven to make an offering of honey, Jupiter was so delighted with the gift that he promised to give her whatever she desired. In turn, she responded immediately and said,
Chapter 71 A bird-catcher was setting traps upon a meadow when a lark, who was watching from a distance, asked him what he was doing.“I’m building a colony,” he said, “and I’m laying the foundations for my first city.”After he finished his work, the man retreated to a nearby spot and hid himself. Meanwhile, the
Chapter 70 While roaming about in search of food, a wolf passed a door where a child was crying and his nurse was chiding him. As the wolf stood listening, he heard her say, “If you don’t stop crying this instant, I’ll put you outside, and the wolf will get you.”Thinking the old woman would
Chapter 69 A long time ago a lion fell in love with a woodcutter’s daughter and demanded to marry her. The woodcutter was not very pleased by this offer and declined the honor of such a dangerous alliance. When the lion showed his royal displeasure and threatened the poor man, however, the woodcutter realized that
Chapter 68 Jupiter, Neptune, and Minerva (so the story goes) once had a contest to determine which one could make the most perfect thing in the world. Jupiter made a man; Minerva made a house; Neptune made a bull. And Momus – for he had not been banished from Olympus yet – was chosen to
Chapter 67 There was once a man who had an ass and a beautiful Maltese lap dog. The ass was kept in a stable and had plenty of corn and hay to eat. Indeed, he was just a well off as any ass could be. The little dog stayed in the house and was a