第1章

"Sirrah，lastyearyougrosslyinsultedme。""Indeed，"bleatedtheLambinamournfultoneofvoice，"Iwasnotthenborn。"ThensaidtheWolf，"Youfeedinmypasture。""No，goodsir，"repliedtheLamb，"Ihavenotyettastedgrass。"AgainsaidtheWolf，"Youdrinkofmywell。""No，"exclaimedtheLamb，"Ineveryetdrankwater，forasyetmymother"smilkisbothfoodanddrinktome。"UponwhichtheWolfseizedhimandatehimup，saying，"Well!Iwon"tremainsupperless，eventhoughyourefuteeveryoneofmyimputations。"Thetyrantwillalwaysfindapretextforhistyranny。

TheBatandtheWeaselsABATwhofelluponthegroundandwascaughtbyaWeaselpleadedtobesparedhislife。TheWeaselrefused，sayingthathewasbynaturetheenemyofallbirds。TheBatassuredhimthathewasnotabird，butamouse，andthuswassetfree。ShortlyafterwardstheBatagainfelltothegroundandwascaughtbyanotherWeasel，whomhelikewiseentreatednottoeathim。TheWeaselsaidthathehadaspecialhostilitytomice。TheBatassuredhimthathewasnotamouse，butabat，andthusasecondtimeescaped。

Itiswisetoturncircumstancestogoodaccount。

TheAssandtheGrasshopperANASShavingheardsomeGrasshopperschirping，washighlyenchanted；and，desiringtopossessthesamecharmsofmelody，demandedwhatsortoffoodtheylivedontogivethemsuchbeautifulvoices。Theyreplied，"Thedew。"TheAssresolvedthathewouldliveonlyupondew，andinashorttimediedofhunger。

TheLionandtheMouseALIONwasawakenedfromsleepbyaMouserunningoverhisface。

Risingupangrily，hecaughthimandwasabouttokillhim，whentheMousepiteouslyentreated，saying:"Ifyouwouldonlysparemylife，Iwouldbesuretorepayyourkindness。"TheLionlaughedandlethimgo。IthappenedshortlyafterthisthattheLionwascaughtbysomehunters，whoboundhimbystropestotheground。TheMouse，recognizinghisroar，camegnawedtheropewithhisteeth，andsethimfree，exclaim"Youridiculedtheideaofmyeverbeingabletohelpyou，expectingtoreceivefrommeanyrepaymentofyourfavor；InowyouknowthatitispossibleforevenaMousetoconbenefitsonaLion。"

TheCharcoal-BurnerandtheFullerACHARCOAL-BURNERcarriedonhistradeinhisownhouse。Onedayhemetafriend，aFuller，andentreatedhimtocomeandlivewithhim，sayingthattheyshouldbefarbetterneighborsandthattheirhousekeepingexpenseswouldbelessened。TheFullerreplied，"ThearrangementisimpossibleasfarasIamconcerned，forwhateverIshouldwhiten，youwouldimmediatelyblackenagainwithyourcharcoal。"

Likewilldrawlike。

TheFatherandHisSonsAFATHERhadafamilyofsonswhowereperpetuallyquarrelingamongthemselves。Whenhefailedtohealtheirdisputesbyhisexhortations，hedeterminedtogivethemapracticalillustrationoftheevilsofdisunion；andforthispurposeheonedaytoldthemtobringhimabundleofsticks。Whentheyhaddoneso，heplacedthefaggotintothehandsofeachoftheminsuccession，andorderedthemtobreakitinpieces。Theytriedwithalltheirstrength，andwerenotabletodoit。Henextopenedthefaggot，tookthesticksseparately，onebyone，andagainputthemintohissons"hands，uponwhichtheybrokethemeasily。Hethenaddressedtheminthesewords:"Mysons，ifyouareofonemind，andunitetoassisteachother，youwillbeasthisfaggot，uninjuredbyalltheattemptsofyourenemies；butifyouaredividedamongyourselves，youwillbebrokenaseasilyasthesesticks。"

TheBoyHuntingLocustsABOYwashuntingforlocusts。Hehadcaughtagoodlynumber，whenhesawaScorpion，andmistakinghimforalocust，reachedouthishandtotakehim。TheScorpion，showinghissting，said:

Ifyouhadbuttouchedme，myfriend，youwouldhavelostme，andallyourlocuststoo!"

TheCockandtheJewelACOCK，scratchingforfoodforhimselfandhishens，foundapreciousstoneandexclaimed:"Ifyourownerhadfoundthee，andnotI，hewouldhavetakentheeup，andhavesettheeinthyfirstestate；butIhavefoundtheefornopurpose。Iwouldratherhaveonebarleycornthanallthejewelsintheworld。"

TheKingdomoftheLionTHEBEASTSofthefieldandforesthadaLionastheirking。Hewasneitherwrathful，cruel，nortyrannical，butjustandgentleasakingcouldbe。Duringhisreignhemadearoyalproclamationforageneralassemblyofallthebirdsandbeasts，anddrewupconditionsforauniversalleague，inwhichtheWolfandtheLamb，thePantherandtheKid，theTigerandtheStag，theDogandtheHare，shouldlivetogetherinperfectpeaceandamity。TheHaresaid，"Oh，howIhavelongedtoseethisday，inwhichtheweakshalltaketheirplacewithimpunitybythesideofthestrong。"AndaftertheHaresaidthis，heranforhislife。

TheWolfandtheCraneAWOLFwhohadabonestuckinhisthroathiredaCrane，foralargesum，toputherheadintohismouthanddrawoutthebone。

WhentheCranehadextractedtheboneanddemandedthepromisedpayment，theWolf，grinningandgrindinghisteeth，exclaimed:

"Why，youhavesurelyalreadyhadasufficientrecompense，inhavingbeenpermittedtodrawoutyourheadinsafetyfromthemouthandjawsofawolf。"

Inservingthewicked，expectnoreward，andbethankfulifyouescapeinjuryforyourpains。

TheFishermanPipingAFISHERMANskilledinmusictookhisfluteandhisnetstotheseashore。Standingonaprojectingrock，heplayedseveraltunesinthehopethatthefish，attractedbyhismelody，wouldoftheirownaccorddanceintohisnet，whichhehadplacedbelow。

Atlast，havinglongwaitedinvain，helaidasidehisflute，andcastinghisnetintothesea，madeanexcellenthauloffish。

Whenhesawthemleapingaboutinthenetupontherockhesaid:

"Oyoumostperversecreatures，whenIpipedyouwouldnotdance，butnowthatIhaveceasedyoudosomerrily。"

HerculesandtheWagonerACARTERwasdrivingawagonalongacountrylane，whenthewheelssankdowndeepintoarut。Therusticdriver，stupefiedandaghast，stoodlookingatthewagon，anddidnothingbututterloudcriestoHerculestocomeandhelphim。Hercules，itissaid，appearedandthusaddressedhim:"Putyourshoulderstothewheels，myman。Goadonyourbullocks，andnevermorepraytomeforhelp，untilyouhavedoneyourbesttohelpyourself，ordependuponityouwillhenceforthprayinvain。"

Self-helpisthebesthelp。

TheAntsandtheGrasshopperTHEANTSwerespendingafinewinter"sdaydryinggraincollectedinthesummertime。AGrasshopper，perishingwithfamine，passedbyandearnestlybeggedforalittlefood。TheAntsinquiredofhim，"Whydidyounottreasureupfoodduringthesummer？"Hereplied，"Ihadnotleisureenough。Ipassedthedaysinsinging。"Theythensaidinderision:"Ifyouwerefoolishenoughtosingallthesummer，youmustdancesupperlesstobedinthewinter。"

TheTravelerandHisDogATRAVELERabouttosetoutonajourneysawhisDogstandatthedoorstretchinghimself。Heaskedhimsharply:"Whydoyoustandtheregaping？Everythingisreadybutyou，socomewithmeinstantly。"TheDog，wagginghistail，replied:"O，master!Iamquiteready；itisyouforwhomIamwaiting。"

Theloitereroftenblamesdelayonhismoreactivefriend。

TheDogandtheShadowADOG，crossingabridgeoverastreamwithapieceoffleshinhismouth，sawhisownshadowinthewaterandtookitforthatofanotherDog，withapieceofmeatdoublehisowninsize。Heimmediatelyletgoofhisown，andfiercelyattackedtheotherDogtogethislargerpiecefromhim。Hethuslostboth:thatwhichhegraspedatinthewater，becauseitwasashadow；andhisown，becausethestreamsweptitaway。

TheMoleandHisMotherAMOLE，acreatureblindfrombirth，oncesaidtohisMother:"I

amsurethanIcansee，Mother!"Inthedesiretoprovetohimhismistake，hisMotherplacedbeforehimafewgrainsoffrankincense，andasked，"Whatisit？"TheyoungMolesaid，"Itisapebble。"HisMotherexclaimed:"Myson，Iamafraidthatyouarenotonlyblind，butthatyouhavelostyoursenseofsmell。

TheHerdsmanandtheLostBullAHERDSMANtendinghisflockinaforestlostaBull-calffromthefold。Afteralongandfruitlesssearch，hemadeavowthat，ifhecouldonlydiscoverthethiefwhohadstolentheCalf，hewouldofferalambinsacrificetoHermes，Pan，andtheGuardianDeitiesoftheforest。Notlongafterwards，asheascendedasmallhillock，hesawatitsfootaLionfeedingontheCalf。

Terrifiedatthesight，heliftedhiseyesandhishandstoheaven，andsaid:"JustnowIvowedtoofferalambtotheGuardianDeitiesoftheforestifIcouldonlyfindoutwhohadrobbedme；butnowthatIhavediscoveredthethief，Iwouldwillinglyaddafull-grownBulltotheCalfIhavelost，ifImayonlysecuremyownescapefromhiminsafety。"

TheHareandtheTortoiseAHAREonedayridiculedtheshortfeetandslowpaceoftheTortoise，whoreplied，laughing:"Thoughyoubeswiftasthewind，Iwillbeatyouinarace。"TheHare，believingherassertiontobesimplyimpossible，assentedtotheproposal；andtheyagreedthattheFoxshouldchoosethecourseandfixthegoal。Onthedayappointedfortheracethetwostartedtogether。TheTortoiseneverforamomentstopped，butwentonwithaslowbutsteadypacestraighttotheendofthecourse。

TheHare，lyingdownbythewayside，fellfastasleep。Atlastwakingup，andmovingasfastashecould，hesawtheTortoisehadreachedthegoal，andwascomfortablydozingafterherfatigue。

Slowbutsteadywinstherace。

ThePomegranate，Apple-Tree，andBrambleTHEPOMEGRANATEandApple-Treedisputedastowhichwasthemostbeautiful。Whentheirstrifewasatitsheight，aBramblefromtheneighboringhedgeliftedupitsvoice，andsaidinaboastfultone:"Pray，mydearfriends，inmypresenceatleastceasefromsuchvaindisputings。"

TheFarmerandtheStorkAFARMERplacednetsonhisnewly-sownplowlandsandcaughtanumberofCranes，whichcametopickuphisseed。WiththemhetrappedaStorkthathadfracturedhisleginthenetandwasearnestlybeseechingtheFarmertosparehislife。"Praysaveme，Master，"hesaid，"andletmegofreethisonce。Mybrokenlimbshouldexciteyourpity。Besides，IamnoCrane，IamaStork，abirdofexcellentcharacter；andseehowIloveandslaveformyfatherandmother。Looktoo，atmyfeathers——

theyarenottheleastlikethoseofaCrane。"TheFarmerlaughedaloudandsaid，"Itmaybeallasyousay，Ionlyknowthis:Ihavetakenyouwiththeserobbers，theCranes，andyoumustdieintheircompany。"

Birdsofafeatherflocktogether。

TheFarmerandtheSnakeONEWINTERaFarmerfoundaSnakestiffandfrozenwithcold。Hehadcompassiononit，andtakingitup，placeditinhisbosom。

TheSnakewasquicklyrevivedbythewarmth，andresumingitsnaturalinstincts，bititsbenefactor，inflictingonhimamortalwound。"Oh，"criedtheFarmerwithhislastbreath，"Iamrightlyservedforpityingascoundrel。"

Thegreatestkindnesswillnotbindtheungrateful。

TheFawnandHisMotherAYOUNGFAWNoncesaidtohisMother，"Youarelargerthanadog，andswifter，andmoreusedtorunning，andyouhaveyourhornsasadefense；why，then，OMother!dothehoundsfrightenyouso？"

Shesmiled，andsaid:"Iknowfullwell，myson，thatallyousayistrue。Ihavetheadvantagesyoumention，butwhenIheareventhebarkofasingledogIfeelreadytofaint，andflyawayasfastasIcan。"

Noargumentswillgivecouragetothecoward。

TheBearandtheFoxABEARboastedverymuchofhisphilanthropy，sayingthatofallanimalshewasthemosttenderinhisregardforman，forhehadsuchrespectforhimthathewouldnoteventouchhisdeadbody。

AFoxhearingthesewordssaidwithasmiletotheBear，"Oh!

thatyouwouldeatthedeadandnottheliving。"

TheSwallowandtheCrowTHESWALLOWandtheCrowhadacontentionabouttheirplumage。

TheCrowputanendtothedisputebysaying，"Yourfeathersareallverywellinthespring，butmineprotectmeagainstthewinter。"

Fairweatherfriendsarenotworthmuch。

TheMountaininLaborAMOUNTAINwasoncegreatlyagitated。Loudgroansandnoiseswereheard，andcrowdsofpeoplecamefromallpartstoseewhatwasthematter。Whiletheywereassembledinanxiousexpectationofsometerriblecalamity，outcameaMouse。

Don"tmakemuchadoaboutnothing。

TheAss，theFox，andtheLionTHEASSandtheFox，havingenteredintopartnershiptogetherfortheirmutualprotection，wentoutintotheforesttohunt。TheyhadnotproceededfarwhentheymetaLion。TheFox，seeingimminentdanger，approachedtheLionandpromisedtocontriveforhimthecaptureoftheAssiftheLionwouldpledgehiswordnottoharmtheFox。Then，uponassuringtheAssthathewouldnotbeinjured，theFoxledhimtoadeeppitandarrangedthatheshouldfallintoit。TheLion，seeingthattheAsswassecured，immediatelyclutchedtheFox，andattackedtheAssathisleisure。

TheTortoiseandtheEagleATORTOISE，lazilybaskinginthesun，complainedtothesea-birdsofherhardfate，thatnoonewouldteachhertofly。

AnEagle，hoveringnear，heardherlamentationanddemandedwhatrewardshewouldgivehimifhewouldtakeheraloftandfloatherintheair。"Iwillgiveyou，"shesaid，"alltherichesoftheRedSea。""Iwillteachyoutoflythen，"saidtheEagle；andtakingherupinhistalonshecarriedheralmosttothecloudssuddenlyhelethergo，andshefellonaloftymountain，dashinghershelltopieces。TheTortoiseexclaimedinthemomentofdeath:"Ihavedeservedmypresentfate；forwhathadItodowithwingsandclouds，whocanwithdifficultymoveaboutontheearth？"

Ifmenhadalltheywished，theywouldbeoftenruined。

TheFliesandtheHoney-PotANUMBERofFlieswereattractedtoajarofhoneywhichhadbeenoverturnedinahousekeeper"sroom，andplacingtheirfeetinit，ategreedily。Theirfeet，however，becamesosmearedwiththehoneythattheycouldnotusetheirwings，norreleasethemselves，andweresuffocated。Justastheywereexpiring，theyexclaimed，"Ofoolishcreaturesthatweare，forthesakeofalittlepleasurewehavedestroyedourselves。"

Pleasureboughtwithpains，hurts。

TheManandtheLionAMANandaLiontraveledtogetherthroughtheforest。Theysoonbegantoboastoftheirrespectivesuperioritytoeachotherinstrengthandprowess。Astheyweredisputing，theypassedastatuecarvedinstone，whichrepresented"aLionstrangledbyaMan。"Thetravelerpointedtoitandsaid:"Seethere!Howstrongweare，andhowweprevailovereventhekingofbeasts。"TheLionreplied:"Thisstatuewasmadebyoneofyoumen。IfweLionsknewhowtoerectstatues，youwouldseetheManplacedunderthepawoftheLion。"

Onestoryisgood，tillanotheristold。

TheFarmerandtheCranesSOMECRANESmadetheirfeedinggroundsonsomeplowlandsnewlysownwithwheat。ForalongtimetheFarmer，brandishinganemptysling，chasedthemawaybytheterrorheinspired；butwhenthebirdsfoundthattheslingwasonlyswungintheair，theyceasedtotakeanynoticeofitandwouldnotmove。TheFarmer，onseeingthis，chargedhisslingwithstones，andkilledagreatnumber。Theremainingbirdsatonceforsookhisfields，cryingtoeachother，"ItistimeforustobeofftoLiliput:forthismanisnolongercontenttoscareus，butbeginstoshowusinearnestwhathecando。"

Ifwordssufficenot，blowsmustfollow。

TheDogintheMangerADOGlayinamanger，andbyhisgrowlingandsnappingpreventedtheoxenfromeatingthehaywhichhadbeenplacedforthem。

"WhataselfishDog!"saidoneofthemtohiscompanions；"hecannoteatthehayhimself，andyetrefusestoallowthosetoeatwhocan。"

TheFoxandtheGoatAFOXonedayfellintoadeepwellandcouldfindnomeansofescape。AGoat，overcomewiththirst，cametothesamewell，andseeingtheFox，inquiredifthewaterwasgood。Concealinghissadplightunderamerryguise，theFoxindulgedinalavishpraiseofthewater，sayingitwasexcellentbeyondmeasure，andencouraginghimtodescend。TheGoat，mindfulonlyofhisthirst，thoughtlesslyjumpeddown，butjustashedrank，theFoxinformedhimofthedifficultytheywerebothinandsuggestedaschemefortheircommonescape。"If，"saidhe，"youwillplaceyourforefeetuponthewallandbendyourhead，Iwillrunupyourbackandescape，andwillhelpyououtafterwards。"TheGoatreadilyassentedandtheFoxleapeduponhisback。SteadyinghimselfwiththeGoat"shorns，hesafelyreachedthemouthofthewellandmadeoffasfastashecould。WhentheGoatupbraidedhimforbreakinghispromise，heturnedaroundandcriedout，"Youfoolisholdfellow!Ifyouhadasmanybrainsinyourheadasyouhavehairsinyourbeard，youwouldneverhavegonedownbeforeyouhadinspectedthewayup，norhaveexposedyourselftodangersfromwhichyouhadnomeansofescape。"

Lookbeforeyouleap。

TheBearandtheTwoTravelersTWOMENweretravelingtogether，whenaBearsuddenlymetthemontheirpath。Oneofthemclimbedupquicklyintoatreeandconcealedhimselfinthebranches。Theother，seeingthathemustbeattacked，fellflatontheground，andwhentheBearcameupandfelthimwithhissnout，andsmelthimallover，heheldhisbreath，andfeignedtheappearanceofdeathasmuchashecould。TheBearsoonlefthim，foritissaidhewillnottouchadeadbody。Whenhewasquitegone，theotherTravelerdescendedfromthetree，andjocularlyinquiredofhisfriendwhatitwastheBearhadwhisperedinhisear。"Hegavemethisadvice，"hiscompanionreplied。"Nevertravelwithafriendwhodesertsyouattheapproachofdanger。"

Misfortuneteststhesincerityoffriends。

TheOxenandtheAxle-TreesAHEAVYWAGONwasbeingdraggedalongacountrylanebyateamofOxen。TheAxle-treesgroanedandcreakedterribly；whereupontheOxen，turninground，thusaddressedthewheels:"Hullothere!whydoyoumakesomuchnoise？Webearallthelabor，andwe，notyou，oughttocryout。"

Thosewhosuffermostcryouttheleast。

TheThirstyPigeonAPIGEON，oppressedbyexcessivethirst，sawagobletofwaterpaintedonasignboard。Notsupposingittobeonlyapicture，sheflewtowardsitwithaloudwhirandunwittinglydashedagainstthesignboard，jarringherselfterribly。Havingbrokenherwingsbytheblow，shefelltotheground，andwascaughtbyoneofthebystanders。

Zealshouldnotoutrundiscretion。

TheRavenandtheSwanARAVENsawaSwananddesiredtosecureforhimselfthesamebeautifulplumage。SupposingthattheSwan"ssplendidwhitecolorarosefromhiswashinginthewaterinwhichheswam，theRavenleftthealtarsintheneighborhoodwherehepickeduphisliving，andtookupresidenceinthelakesandpools。Butcleansinghisfeathersasoftenashewould，hecouldnotchangetheircolor，whilethroughwantoffoodheperished。

ChangeofhabitcannotalterNature。

TheGoatandtheGoatherdAGOATHERDhadsoughttobringbackastraygoattohisflock。

Hewhistledandsoundedhishorninvain；thestragglerpaidnoattentiontothesummons。AtlasttheGoatherdthrewastone，andbreakingitshorn，beggedtheGoatnottotellhismaster。

TheGoatreplied，"Why，yousillyfellow，thehornwillspeakthoughIbesilent。"

Donotattempttohidethingswhichcannotbehid。

TheMiserAMISERsoldallthathehadandboughtalumpofgold，whichheburiedinaholeinthegroundbythesideofanoldwallandwenttolookatdaily。Oneofhisworkmenobservedhisfrequentvisitstothespotanddecidedtowatchhismovements。Hesoondiscoveredthesecretofthehiddentreasure，anddiggingdown，cametothelumpofgold，andstoleit。TheMiser，onhisnextvisit，foundtheholeemptyandbegantotearhishairandtomakeloudlamentations。Aneighbor，seeinghimovercomewithgriefandlearningthecause，said，"Praydonotgrieveso；butgoandtakeastone，andplaceitinthehole，andfancythatthegoldisstilllyingthere。Itwilldoyouquitethesameservice；forwhenthegoldwasthere，youhaditnot，asyoudidnotmaketheslightestuseofit。"

TheSickLionALION，unablefromoldageandinfirmitiestoprovidehimselfwithfoodbyforce，resolvedtodosobyartifice。Hereturnedtohisden，andlyingdownthere，pretendedtobesick，takingcarethathissicknessshouldbepubliclyknown。Thebeastsexpressedtheirsorrow，andcameonebyonetohisden，wheretheLiondevouredthem。Aftermanyofthebeastshadthusdisappeared，theFoxdiscoveredthetrickandpresentinghimselftotheLion，stoodontheoutsideofthecave，atarespectfuldistance，andaskedhimhowhewas。"Iamverymiddling，"

repliedtheLion，"butwhydoyoustandwithout？Prayenterwithintotalkwithme。""No，thankyou，"saidtheFox。"I

noticethattherearemanyprintsoffeetenteringyourcave，butIseenotraceofanyreturning。"

Heiswisewhoiswarnedbythemisfortunesofothers。

TheHorseandGroomAGROOMusedtospendwholedaysincurrycombingandrubbingdownhisHorse，butatthesametimestolehisoatsandsoldthemforhisownprofit。"Alas!"saidtheHorse，"ifyoureallywishmetobeingoodcondition，youshouldgroommeless，andfeedmemore。"

TheAssandtheLapdogAMANhadanAss，andaMalteseLapdog，averygreatbeauty。TheAsswasleftinastableandhadplentyofoatsandhaytoeat，justasanyotherAsswould。TheLapdogknewmanytricksandwasagreatfavoritewithhismaster，whooftenfondledhimandseldomwentouttodinewithoutbringinghimhomesometidbittoeat。TheAss，onthecontrary，hadmuchworktodoingrindingthecorn-millandincarryingwoodfromtheforestorburdensfromthefarm。HeoftenlamentedhisownhardfateandcontrasteditwiththeluxuryandidlenessoftheLapdog，tillatlastonedayhebrokehiscordsandhalter，andgallopedintohismaster"shouse，kickinguphisheelswithoutmeasure，andfriskingandfawningaswellashecould。HenexttriedtojumpabouthismasterashehadseentheLapdogdo，buthebrokethetableandsmashedallthedishesuponittoatoms。Hethenattemptedtolickhismaster，andjumpeduponhisback。Theservants，hearingthestrangehubbubandperceivingthedangeroftheirmaster，quicklyrelievedhim，anddroveouttheAsstohisstablewithkicksandclubsandcuffs。TheAss，ashereturnedtohisstallbeatennearlytodeath，thuslamented:"Ihavebroughtitallonmyself!WhycouldInothavebeencontentedtolaborwithmycompanions，andnotwishtobeidleallthedaylikethatuselesslittleLapdog!"

TheLionessACONTROVERSYprevailedamongthebeastsofthefieldastowhichoftheanimalsdeservedthemostcreditforproducingthegreatestnumberofwhelpsatabirth。TheyrushedclamorouslyintothepresenceoftheLionessanddemandedofherthesettlementofthedispute。"Andyou，"theysaid，"howmanysonshaveyouatabirth？"TheLionesslaughedatthem，andsaid:

"Why!Ihaveonlyone；butthatoneisaltogetherathoroughbredLion。"

Thevalueisintheworth，notinthenumber。

TheBoastingTravelerAMANwhohadtraveledinforeignlandsboastedverymuch，onreturningtohisowncountry，ofthemanywonderfulandheroicfeatshehadperformedinthedifferentplaceshehadvisited。

Amongotherthings，hesaidthatwhenhewasatRhodeshehadleapedtosuchadistancethatnomanofhisdaycouldleapanywherenearhimastothat，therewereinRhodesmanypersonswhosawhimdoitandwhomhecouldcallaswitnesses。Oneofthebystandersinterruptedhim，saying:"Now，mygoodman，ifthisbealltruethereisnoneedofwitnesses。SupposethistobeRhodes，andleapforus。"

TheCatandtheCockACATcaughtaCock，andponderedhowhemightfindareasonableexcuseforeatinghim。Heaccusedhimofbeinganuisancetomenbycrowinginthenighttimeandnotpermittingthemtosleep。

TheCockdefendedhimselfbysayingthathedidthisforthebenefitofmen，thattheymightriseintimefortheirlabors。

TheCatreplied，"Althoughyouaboundinspeciousapologies，I

shallnotremainsupperless"；andhemadeamealofhim。

ThePiglet，theSheep，andtheGoatAYOUNGPIGwasshutupinafold-yardwithaGoatandaSheep。

Ononeoccasionwhentheshepherdlaidholdofhim，hegruntedandsqueakedandresistedviolently。TheSheepandtheGoatcomplainedofhisdistressingcries，saying，"Heoftenhandlesus，andwedonotcryout。"TothisthePigreplied，"Yourhandlingandmineareverydifferentthings。Hecatchesyouonlyforyourwool，oryourmilk，buthelaysholdonmeformyverylife。"

TheBoyandtheFilbertsABOYputhishandintoapitcherfulloffilberts。Hegraspedasmanyashecouldpossiblyhold，butwhenhetriedtopullouthishand，hewaspreventedfromdoingsobytheneckofthepitcher。Unwillingtolosehisfilberts，andyetunabletowithdrawhishand，heburstintotearsandbitterlylamentedhisdisappointment。Abystandersaidtohim，"Besatisfiedwithhalfthequantity，andyouwillreadilydrawoutyourhand。"

Donotattempttoomuchatonce。

TheLioninLoveALIONdemandedthedaughterofawoodcutterinmarriage。TheFather，unwillingtogrant，andyetafraidtorefusehisrequest，hituponthisexpedienttoridhimselfofhisimportunities。HeexpressedhiswillingnesstoaccepttheLionasthesuitorofhisdaughterononecondition:thatheshouldallowhimtoextracthisteeth，andcutoffhisclaws，ashisdaughterwasfearfullyafraidofboth。TheLioncheerfullyassentedtotheproposal。

Butwhenthetoothless，clawlessLionreturnedtorepeathisrequest，theWoodman，nolongerafraid，setuponhimwithhisclub，anddrovehimawayintotheforest。

TheLaborerandtheSnakeASNAKE，havingmadehisholeclosetotheporchofacottage，inflictedamortalbiteontheCottager"sinfantson。Grievingoverhisloss，theFatherresolvedtokilltheSnake。Thenextday，whenitcameoutofitsholeforfood，hetookuphisaxe，butbyswingingtoohastily，misseditsheadandcutoffonlytheendofitstail。AftersometimetheCottager，afraidthattheSnakewouldbitehimalso，endeavoredtomakepeace，andplacedsomebreadandsaltinthehole。TheSnake，slightlyhissing，said:"Therecanhenceforthbenopeacebetweenus；forwheneverIseeyouIshallrememberthelossofmytail，andwheneveryouseemeyouwillbethinkingofthedeathofyourson。"

Noonetrulyforgetsinjuriesinthepresenceofhimwhocausedtheinjury。

TheWolfinSheep"sClothingONCEUPONATIMEaWolfresolvedtodisguisehisappearanceinordertosecurefoodmoreeasily。Encasedintheskinofasheep，hepasturedwiththeflockdeceivingtheshepherdbyhiscostume。Intheeveninghewasshutupbytheshepherdinthefold；thegatewasclosed，andtheentrancemadethoroughlysecure。Buttheshepherd，returningtothefoldduringthenighttoobtainmeatforthenextday，mistakenlycaughtuptheWolfinsteadofasheep，andkilledhiminstantly。

Harmseek。harmfind。

TheAssandtheMuleAMULETEERsetforthonajourney，drivingbeforehimanAssandaMule，bothwellladen。TheAss，aslongashetraveledalongtheplain，carriedhisloadwithease，butwhenhebegantoascendthesteeppathofthemountain，felthisloadtobemorethanhecouldbear。Heentreatedhiscompaniontorelievehimofasmallportion，thathemightcarryhometherest；buttheMulepaidnoattentiontotherequest。TheAssshortlyafterwardsfelldowndeadunderhisburden。Notknowingwhatelsetodoinsowildaregion，theMuleteerplacedupontheMuletheloadcarriedbytheAssinadditiontohisown，andatthetopofallplacedthehideoftheAss，afterhehadskinnedhim。TheMule，groaningbeneathhisheavyburden，saidtohimself:"Iamtreatedaccordingtomydeserts。IfIhadonlybeenwillingtoassisttheAssalittleinhisneed，Ishouldnotnowbebearing，togetherwithhisburden，himselfaswell。"

TheFrogsAskingforaKingTHEFROGS，grievedathavingnoestablishedRuler，sentambassadorstoJupiterentreatingforaKing。Perceivingtheirsimplicity，hecastdownahugelogintothelake。TheFrogswereterrifiedatthesplashoccasionedbyitsfallandhidthemselvesinthedepthsofthepool。Butassoonastheyrealizedthatthehugelogwasmotionless，theyswamagaintothetopofthewater，dismissedtheirfears，climbedup，andbegansquattingonitincontempt。Aftersometimetheybegantothinkthemselvesill-treatedintheappointmentofsoinertaRuler，andsentaseconddeputationtoJupitertopraythathewouldsetoverthemanothersovereign。HethengavethemanEeltogovernthem。

WhentheFrogsdiscoveredhiseasygoodnature，theysentyetathirdtimetoJupitertobeghimtochooseforthemstillanotherKing。Jupiter，displeasedwithalltheircomplaints，sentaHeron，whopreyedupontheFrogsdaybydaytilltherewerenonelefttocroakuponthelake。

TheBoysandtheFrogsSOMEBOYS，playingnearapond，sawanumberofFrogsinthewaterandbegantopeltthemwithstones。Theykilledseveralofthem，whenoneoftheFrogs，liftinghisheadoutofthewater，criedout:"Praystop，myboys:whatissporttoyou，isdeathtous。"

TheSickStagASICKSTAGlaydowninaquietcornerofitspasture-ground。

Hiscompanionscameingreatnumberstoinquireafterhishealth，andeachonehelpedhimselftoashareofthefoodwhichhadbeenplacedforhisuse；sothathedied，notfromhissickness，butfromthefailureofthemeansofliving。

Evilcompanionsbringmorehurtthanprofit。

TheSaltMerchantandHisAssAPEDDLERdrovehisAsstotheseashoretobuysalt。HisroadhomelayacrossastreamintowhichhisAss，makingafalsestep，fellbyaccidentandroseupagainwithhisloadconsiderablylighter，asthewatermeltedthesack。ThePeddlerretracedhisstepsandrefilledhispannierswithalargerquantityofsaltthanbefore。Whenhecameagaintothestream，theAssfelldownonpurposeinthesamespot，and，regaininghisfeetwiththeweightofhisloadmuchdiminished，brayedtriumphantlyasifhehadobtainedwhathedesired。ThePeddlersawthroughhistrickanddrovehimforthethirdtimetothecoast，whereheboughtacargoofspongesinsteadofsalt。TheAss，againplayingthefool，felldownonpurposewhenhereachedthestream，butthespongesbecameswollenwithwater，greatlyincreasinghisload。

Andthushistrickrecoiledonhim，forhenowcarriedonhisbackadoubleburden。

TheOxenandtheButchersTHEOXENonceuponatimesoughttodestroytheButchers，whopracticedatradedestructivetotheirrace。Theyassembledonacertaindaytocarryouttheirpurpose，andsharpenedtheirhornsforthecontest。Butoneofthemwhowasexceedinglyold(formanyafieldhadheplowed)thusspoke:"TheseButchers，itistrue，slaughterus，buttheydosowithskillfulhands，andwithnounnecessarypain。Ifwegetridofthem，weshallfallintothehandsofunskillfuloperators，andthussufferadoubledeath:foryoumaybeassured，thatthoughalltheButchersshouldperish，yetwillmenneverwantbeef。"

Donotbeinahurrytochangeoneevilforanother。

TheLion，theMouse，andtheFoxALION，fatiguedbytheheatofasummer"sday，fellfastasleepinhisden。AMouseranoverhismaneandearsandwokehimfromhisslumbers。Heroseupandshookhimselfingreatwrath，andsearchedeverycornerofhisdentofindtheMouse。AFoxseeinghimsaid:"AfineLionyouare，tobefrightenedofaMouse。"

""TisnottheMouseIfear，"saidtheLion；"Iresenthisfamiliarityandill-breeding。"

Littlelibertiesaregreatoffenses。

TheVainJackdawJUPITERDETERMINED，itissaid，tocreateasovereignoverthebirds，andmadeproclamationthatonacertaindaytheyshouldallpresentthemselvesbeforehim，whenhewouldhimselfchoosethemostbeautifulamongthemtobeking。TheJackdaw，knowinghisownugliness，searchedthroughthewoodsandfields，andcollectedthefeatherswhichhadfallenfromthewingsofhiscompanions，andstucktheminallpartsofhisbody，hopingtherebytomakehimselfthemostbeautifulofall。Whentheappointeddayarrived，andthebirdshadassembledbeforeJupiter，theJackdawalsomadehisappearanceinhismanyfeatheredfinery。ButwhenJupiterproposedtomakehimkingbecauseofthebeautyofhisplumage，thebirdsindignantlyprotested，andeachpluckedfromhimhisownfeathers，leavingtheJackdawnothingbutaJackdaw。

TheGoatherdandtheWildGoatsAGOATHERD，drivinghisflockfromtheirpastureateventide，foundsomeWildGoatsmingledamongthem，andshutthemuptogetherwithhisownforthenight。Thenextdayitsnowedveryhard，sothathecouldnottaketheherdtotheirusualfeedingplaces，butwasobligedtokeeptheminthefold。Hegavehisowngoatsjustsufficientfoodtokeepthemalive，butfedthestrangersmoreabundantlyinthehopeofenticingthemtostaywithhimandofmakingthemhisown。Whenthethawsetin，heledthemallouttofeed，andtheWildGoatsscamperedawayasfastastheycouldtothemountains。TheGoatherdscoldedthemfortheiringratitudeinleavinghim，whenduringthestormhehadtakenmorecareofthemthanofhisownherd。Oneofthem，turningabout，saidtohim:"Thatistheveryreasonwhywearesocautious；forifyouyesterdaytreatedusbetterthantheGoatsyouhavehadsolong，itisplainalsothatifotherscameafterus，youwouldinthesamemannerpreferthemtoourselves。"

Oldfriendscannotwithimpunitybesacrificedfornewones。

TheMischievousDogADOGusedtorunupquietlytotheheelsofeveryonehemet，andtobitethemwithoutnotice。HismastersuspendedabellabouthisnecksothattheDogmightgivenoticeofhispresencewhereverhewent。Thinkingitamarkofdistinction，theDoggrewproudofhisbellandwenttinklingitalloverthemarketplace。Onedayanoldhoundsaidtohim:Whydoyoumakesuchanexhibitionofyourself？Thatbellthatyoucarryisnot，believeme，anyorderofmerit，butonthecontraryamarkofdisgrace，apublicnoticetoallmentoavoidyouasanillmannereddog。"

Notorietyisoftenmistakenforfame。

TheFoxWhoHadLostHisTailAFOXcaughtinatrapescaped，butinsodoinglosthistail。

Thereafter，feelinghislifeaburdenfromtheshameandridiculetowhichhewasexposed，heschemedtoconvincealltheotherFoxesthatbeingtaillesswasmuchmoreattractive，thusmakingupforhisowndeprivation。HeassembledagoodmanyFoxesandpubliclyadvisedthemtocutofftheirtails，sayingthattheywouldnotonlylookmuchbetterwithoutthem，butthattheywouldgetridoftheweightofthebrush，whichwasaverygreatinconvenience。Oneoftheminterruptinghimsaid，"Ifyouhadnotyourselflostyourtail，myfriend，youwouldnotthuscounselus。"

TheBoyandtheNettlesABOYwasstungbyaNettle。HeranhomeandtoldhisMother，saying，"Althoughithurtsmeverymuch，Ionlytoucheditgently。""Thatwasjustwhyitstungyou，"saidhisMother。"ThenexttimeyoutouchaNettle，graspitboldly，anditwillbesoftassilktoyourhand，andnotintheleasthurtyou。"

Whateveryoudo，dowithallyourmight。

TheManandHisTwoSweetheartsAMIDDLE-AGEDMAN，whosehairhadbeguntoturngray，courtedtwowomenatthesametime。Oneofthemwasyoung，andtheotherwelladvancedinyears。Theelderwoman，ashamedtobecourtedbyamanyoungerthanherself，madeapoint，wheneverheradmirervisitedher，topulloutsomeportionofhisblackhairs。Theyounger，onthecontrary，notwishingtobecomethewifeofanoldman，wasequallyzealousinremovingeverygrayhairshecouldfind。Thusitcametopassthatbetweenthembothheverysoonfoundthathehadnotahairleftonhishead。

Thosewhoseektopleaseeverybodypleasenobody。

TheAstronomerANASTRONOMERusedtogooutatnighttoobservethestars。Oneevening，ashewanderedthroughthesuburbswithhiswholeattentionfixedonthesky，hefellaccidentallyintoadeepwell。Whilehelamentedandbewailedhissoresandbruises，andcriedloudlyforhelp，aneighborrantothewell，andlearningwhathadhappenedsaid:"Harkye，oldfellow，why，instrivingtopryintowhatisinheaven，doyounotmanagetoseewhatisonearth？"

TheWolvesandtheSheep"WHYSHOULDtherealwaysbethisfearandslaughterbetweenus？"

saidtheWolvestotheSheep。"Thoseevil-disposedDogshavemuchtoanswerfor。Theyalwaysbarkwheneverweapproachyouandattackusbeforewehavedoneanyharm。Ifyouwouldonlydismissthemfromyourheels，theremightsoonbetreatiesofpeaceandreconciliationbetweenus。"TheSheep，poorsillycreatures，wereeasilybeguiledanddismissedtheDogs，whereupontheWolvesdestroyedtheunguardedflockattheirownpleasure。

TheOldWomanandthePhysicianANOLDWOMANhavinglosttheuseofhereyes，calledinaPhysiciantohealthem，andmadethisbargainwithhiminthepresenceofwitnesses:thatifheshouldcureherblindness，heshouldreceivefromherasumofmoney；butifherinfirmityremained，sheshouldgivehimnothing。Thisagreementbeingmade，thePhysician，timeaftertime，appliedhissalvetohereyes，andoneveryvisittooksomethingaway，stealingallherpropertylittlebylittle。Andwhenhehadgotallshehad，hehealedheranddemandedthepromisedpayment。TheOldWoman，whensherecoveredhersightandsawnoneofhergoodsinherhouse，wouldgivehimnothing。ThePhysicianinsistedonhisclaim，and。asshestillrefused，summonedherbeforetheJudge。

TheOldWoman，standingupintheCourt，argued:"Thismanherespeaksthetruthinwhathesays；forIdidpromisetogivehimasumofmoneyifIshouldrecovermysight:butifIcontinuedblind，Iwastogivehimnothing。NowhedeclaresthatIamhealed。IonthecontraryaffirmthatIamstillblind；forwhenIlosttheuseofmyeyes，Isawinmyhousevariouschattelsandvaluablegoods:butnow，thoughheswearsIamcuredofmyblindness，Iamnotabletoseeasinglethinginit。"

TheFightingCocksandtheEagleTWOGAMECOCKSwerefiercelyfightingforthemasteryofthefarmyard。Oneatlastputtheothertoflight。ThevanquishedCockskulkedawayandhidhimselfinaquietcorner，whiletheconqueror，flyinguptoahighwall，flappedhiswingsandcrowedexultinglywithallhismight。AnEaglesailingthroughtheairpounceduponhimandcarriedhimoffinhistalons。ThevanquishedCockimmediatelycameoutofhiscorner，andruledhenceforthwithundisputedmastery。

Pridegoesbeforedestruction。

TheChargerandtheMillerACHARGER，feelingtheinfirmitiesofage，wassenttoworkinamillinsteadofgoingouttobattle。Butwhenhewascompelledtogrindinsteadofservinginthewars，hebewailedhischangeoffortuneandcalledtomindhisformerstate，saying，"Ah!

Miller，Ihadindeedtogocampaigningbefore，butIwasbarbedfromcountertotail，andamanwentalongtogroomme；andnowI

cannotunderstandwhatailedmetopreferthemillbeforethebattle。""Forbear，"saidtheMillertohim，"harpingonwhatwasofyore，foritisthecommonlotofmortalstosustaintheupsanddownsoffortune。"

TheFoxandtheMonkeyAMONKEYoncedancedinanassemblyoftheBeasts，andsopleasedthemallbyhisperformancethattheyelectedhimtheirKing。A

Fox，envyinghimthehonor，discoveredapieceofmeatlyinginatrap，andleadingtheMonkeytotheplacewhereitwas，saidthatshehadfoundastore，buthadnotusedit，shehadkeptitforhimastreasuretroveofhiskingdom，andcounseledhimtolayholdofit。TheMonkeyapproachedcarelesslyandwascaughtinthetrap；andonhisaccusingtheFoxofpurposelyleadinghimintothesnare，shereplied，"OMonkey，andareyou，withsuchamindasyours，goingtobeKingovertheBeasts？"

TheHorseandHisRiderAHORSESOLDIERtooktheutmostpainswithhischarger。

Aslongasthewarlasted，helookeduponhimashisfellow-helperinallemergenciesandfedhimcarefullywithhayandcorn。Butwhenthewarwasover，heonlyallowedhimchafftoeatandmadehimcarryheavyloadsofwood，subjectinghimtomuchslavishdrudgeryandill-treatment。Warwasagainproclaimed，however，andwhenthetrumpetsummonedhimtohisstandard，theSoldierputonhischargeritsmilitarytrappings，andmounted，beingcladinhisheavycoatofmail。TheHorsefelldownstraightwayundertheweight，nolongerequaltotheburden，andsaidtohismaster，"Youmustnowgotothewaronfoot，foryouhavetransformedmefromaHorseintoanAss；andhowcanyouexpectthatIcanagainturninamomentfromanAsstoaHorse？"

TheBellyandtheMembersTHEMEMBERSoftheBodyrebelledagainsttheBelly，andsaid，"Whyshouldwebeperpetuallyengagedinadministeringtoyourwants，whileyoudonothingbuttakeyourrest，andenjoyyourselfinluxuryandself-indulgence？"TheMemberscarriedouttheirresolveandrefusedtheirassistancetotheBelly。ThewholeBodyquicklybecamedebilitated，andthehands，feet，mouth，andeyes，whentoolate，repentedoftheirfolly。

TheVineandtheGoatAVINEwasluxuriantinthetimeofvintagewithleavesandgrapes。AGoat，passingby，nibbleditsyoungtendrilsanditsleaves。TheVineaddressedhimandsaid:"Whydoyouthusinjuremewithoutacause，andcropmyleaves？Istherenoyounggrassleft？ButIshallnothavetowaitlongformyjustrevenge；forifyounowshouldcropmyleaves，andcutmedowntomyroot，I

shallprovidethewinetopouroveryouwhenyouareledasavictimtothesacrifice。"

JupiterandtheMonkeyJUPITERISSUEDaproclamationtoallthebeastsoftheforestandpromisedaroyalrewardtotheonewhoseoffspringshouldbedeemedthehandsomest。TheMonkeycamewiththerestandpresented，withallamother"stenderness，aflat-nosed，hairless，ill-featuredyoungMonkeyasacandidateforthepromisedreward。Agenerallaughsalutedheronthepresentationofherson。Sheresolutelysaid，"IknownotwhetherJupiterwillallottheprizetomyson，butthisIdoknow，thatheisatleastintheeyesofmehismother，thedearest，handsomest，andmostbeautifulofall。"

TheWidowandHerLittleMaidensAWIDOWwhowasfondofcleaninghadtwolittlemaidenstowaitonher。Shewasinthehabitofwakingthemearlyinthemorning，atcockcrow。Themaidens，aggravatedbysuchexcessivelabor，resolvedtokillthecockwhorousedtheirmistresssoearly。Whentheyhaddonethis，theyfoundthattheyhadonlypreparedforthemselvesgreatertroubles，fortheirmistress，nolongerhearingthehourfromthecock，wokethemuptotheirworkinthemiddleofthenight。

TheShepherd"sBoyandtheWolfASHEPHERD-BOY，whowatchedaflockofsheepnearavillage，broughtoutthevillagersthreeorfourtimesbycryingout，"Wolf!Wolf!"andwhenhisneighborscametohelphim，laughedatthemfortheirpains。TheWolf，however，didtrulycomeatlast。

TheShepherd-boy，nowreallyalarmed，shoutedinanagonyofterror:"Pray，docomeandhelpme；theWolfiskillingthesheep"；butnoonepaidanyheedtohiscries，norrenderedanyassistance。TheWolf，havingnocauseoffear，athisleisurelaceratedordestroyedthewholeflock。

Thereisnobelievingaliar，evenwhenhespeaksthetruth。

TheCatandtheBirdsACAT，hearingthattheBirdsinacertainaviarywereailingdressedhimselfupasaphysician，and，takinghiscaneandabagofinstrumentsbecominghisprofession，wenttocallonthem。Heknockedatthedoorandinquiredoftheinmateshowtheyalldid，sayingthatiftheywereill，hewouldbehappytoprescribeforthemandcurethem。Theyreplied，"Weareallverywell，andshallcontinueso，ifyouwillonlybegoodenoughtogoaway，andleaveusasweare。"

TheKidandtheWolfAKIDstandingontheroofofahouse，outofharm"sway，sawaWolfpassingbyandimmediatelybegantotauntandrevilehim。

TheWolf，lookingup，said，"Sirrah!Ihearthee:yetitisnotthouwhomockestme，buttheroofonwhichthouartstanding。"

Timeandplaceoftengivetheadvantagetotheweakoverthestrong。

TheOxandtheFrogANOXdrinkingatapooltrodonabroodofyoungfrogsandcrushedoneofthemtodeath。TheMothercomingup，andmissingoneofhersons，inquiredofhisbrotherswhathadbecomeofhim。

"Heisdead，dearMother；forjustnowaveryhugebeastwithfourgreatfeetcametothepoolandcrushedhimtodeathwithhisclovenheel。"TheFrog，puffingherselfout，inquired，"ifthebeastwasasbigasthatinsize。""Cease，Mother，topuffyourselfout，"saidherson，"anddonotbeangry；foryouwould，Iassureyou，soonerburstthansuccessfullyimitatethehugenessofthatmonster。"

TheShepherdandtheWolfASHEPHERDoncefoundthewhelpofaWolfandbroughtitup，andafterawhiletaughtittosteallambsfromtheneighboringflocks。TheWolf，havingshownhimselfanaptpupil，saidtotheShepherd，"Sinceyouhavetaughtmetosteal，youmustkeepasharplookout，oryouwilllosesomeofyourownflock。"

TheFatherandHisTwoDaughtersAMANhadtwodaughters，theonemarriedtoagardener，andtheothertoatile-maker。Afteratimehewenttothedaughterwhohadmarriedthegardener，andinquiredhowshewasandhowallthingswentwithher。Shesaid，"Allthingsareprosperingwithme，andIhaveonlyonewish，thattheremaybeaheavyfallofrain，inorderthattheplantsmaybewellwatered。"Notlongafter，hewenttothedaughterwhohadmarriedthetilemaker，andlikewiseinquiredofherhowshefared；shereplied，"Iwantfornothing，andhaveonlyonewish，thatthedryweathermaycontinue，andthesunshinehotandbright，sothatthebricksmightbedried。"Hesaidtoher，"Ifyoursisterwishesforrain，andyoufordryweather，withwhichofthetwoamItojoinmywishes？"

TheFarmerandHisSonsAFATHER，beingonthepointofdeath，wishedtobesurethathissonswouldgivethesameattentiontohisfarmashehimselfhadgivenit。Hecalledthemtohisbedsideandsaid，"Mysons，thereisagreattreasurehidinoneofmyvineyards。"Thesons，afterhisdeath，tooktheirspadesandmattocksandcarefullydugovereveryportionoftheirland。Theyfoundnotreasure，butthevinesrepaidtheirlaborbyanextraordinaryandsuperabundantcrop。

TheCrabandItsMotherACRABsaidtoherson，"Whydoyouwalksoone-sided，mychild？

Itisfarmorebecomingtogostraightforward。"TheyoungCrabreplied:"Quitetrue，dearMother；andifyouwillshowmethestraightway，Iwillpromisetowalkinit。"TheMothertriedinvain，andsubmittedwithoutremonstrancetothereproofofherchild。

Exampleismorepowerfulthanprecept。

TheHeiferandtheOxAHEIFERsawanOxhardatworkharnessedtoaplow，andtormentedhimwithreflectionsonhisunhappyfateinbeingcompelledtolabor。Shortlyafterwards，attheharvestfestival，theownerreleasedtheOxfromhisyoke，butboundtheHeiferwithcordsandledhimawaytothealtartobeslaininhonoroftheoccasion。TheOxsawwhatwasbeingdone，andsaidwithasmiletotheHeifer:"Forthisyouwereallowedtoliveinidleness，becauseyouwerepresentlytobesacrificed。"

TheSwallow，theSerpent，andtheCourtofJusticeASWALLOW，returningfromabroadandespeciallyfondofdwellingwithmen，builtherselfanestinthewallofaCourtofJusticeandtherehatchedsevenyoungbirds。ASerpentglidingpastthenestfromitsholeinthewallateuptheyoungunfledgednestlings。TheSwallow，findinghernestempty，lamentedgreatlyandexclaimed:"Woetomeastranger!thatinthisplacewhereallothers"rightsareprotected，Ialoneshouldsufferwrong。"

TheThiefandHisMotherABOYstolealesson-bookfromoneofhisschoolfellowsandtookithometohisMother。Shenotonlyabstainedfrombeatinghim，butencouragedhim。Henexttimestoleacloakandbroughtittoher，andsheagaincommendedhim。TheYouth，advancedtoadulthood，proceededtostealthingsofstillgreatervalue。Atlasthewascaughtintheveryact，andhavinghishandsboundbehindhim，wasledawaytotheplaceofpublicexecution。HisMotherfollowedinthecrowdandviolentlybeatherbreastinsorrow，whereupontheyoungmansaid，"IwishtosaysomethingtomyMotherinherear。"Shecameclosetohim，andhequicklyseizedherearwithhisteethandbititoff。TheMotherupbraidedhimasanunnaturalchild，whereonhereplied，"Ah!ifyouhadbeatenmewhenIfirststoleandbroughttoyouthatlesson-book，Ishouldnothavecometothis，norhavebeenthusledtoadisgracefuldeath。"

TheOldManandDeathANOLDMANwasemployedincuttingwoodintheforest，and，incarryingthefaggotstothecityforsaleoneday，becameveryweariedwithhislongjourney。Hesatdownbythewayside，andthrowingdownhisload，besought"Death"tocome。"Death"

immediatelyappearedinanswertohissummonsandaskedforwhatreasonhehadcalledhim。TheOldManhurriedlyreplied，"That，liftinguptheload，youmayplaceitagainuponmyshoulders。"

TheFir-TreeandtheBrambleAFIR-TREEsaidboastinglytotheBramble，"Youareusefulfornothingatall；whileIameverywhereusedforroofsandhouses。"

TheBrambleanswered:"Youpoorcreature，ifyouwouldonlycalltomindtheaxesandsawswhichareabouttohewyoudown，youwouldhavereasontowishthatyouhadgrownupaBramble，notaFir-Tree。"

Betterpovertywithoutcare，thanricheswith。

TheMouse，theFrog，andtheHawkAMOUSEwhoalwayslivedontheland，byanunluckychanceformedanintimateacquaintancewithaFrog，wholivedforthemostpartinthewater。TheFrog，onedayintentonmischief，boundthefootoftheMousetightlytohisown。Thusjoinedtogether，theFrogfirstofallledhisfriendtheMousetothemeadowwheretheywereaccustomedtofindtheirfood。Afterthis，hegraduallyledhimtowardsthepoolinwhichhelived，untilreachingtheverybrink，hesuddenlyjumpedin，draggingtheMousewithhim。TheFrogenjoyedthewateramazingly，andswamcroakingabout，asifhehaddoneagooddeed。TheunhappyMousewassoonsuffocatedbythewater，andhisdeadbodyfloatedaboutonthesurface，tiedtothefootoftheFrog。AHawkobservedit，and，pouncinguponitwithhistalons，carrieditaloft。TheFrog，beingstillfastenedtothelegoftheMouse，wasalsocarriedoffaprisoner，andwaseatenbytheHawk。

Harmhatch，harmcatch。

TheManBittenbyaDogAMANwhohadbeenbittenbyaDogwentaboutinquestofsomeonewhomighthealhim。Afriend，meetinghimandlearningwhathewanted，said，"Ifyouwouldbecured，takeapieceofbread，anddipitinthebloodfromyourwound，andgoandgiveittotheDogthatbityou。"TheManwhohadbeenbittenlaughedatthisadviceandsaid，"Why？IfIshoulddoso，itwouldbeasifI

shouldbegeveryDoginthetowntobiteme。"