第2章

Benefitsbestowedupontheevil-disposedincreasetheirmeansofinjuringyou。

TheTwoPotsARIVERcarrieddowninitsstreamtwoPots，onemadeofearthenwareandtheotherofbrass。TheEarthenPotsaidtotheBrassPot，"Praykeepatadistanceanddonotcomenearme，forifyoutouchmeeversoslightly，Ishallbebrokeninpieces，andbesides，Ibynomeanswishtocomenearyou。"

Equalsmakethebestfriends。

TheWolfandtheSheepAWOLF，sorelywoundedandbittenbydogs，laysickandmaimedinhislair。Beinginwantoffood，hecalledtoaSheepwhowaspassing，andaskedhimtofetchsomewaterfromastreamflowingclosebesidehim。"For，"hesaid，"ifyouwillbringmedrink，I

willfindmeanstoprovidemyselfwithmeat。""Yes，"saidtheSheep，"ifIshouldbringyouthedraught，youwoulddoubtlessmakemeprovidethemeatalso。"

Hypocriticalspeechesareeasilyseenthrough。

TheAethiopTHEPURCHASERofablackservantwaspersuadedthatthecolorofhisskinarosefromdirtcontractedthroughtheneglectofhisformermasters。Onbringinghimhomeheresortedtoeverymeansofcleaning，andsubjectedthemantoincessantscrubbings。Theservantcaughtaseverecold，butheneverchangedhiscolororcomplexion。

What"sbredinthebonewillsticktotheflesh。

TheFishermanandHisNetsAFISHERMAN，engagedinhiscalling，madeaverysuccessfulcastandcapturedagreathauloffish。Hemanagedbyaskillfulhandlingofhisnettoretainallthelargefishandtodrawthemtotheshore；buthecouldnotpreventthesmallerfishfromfallingbackthroughthemeshesofthenetintothesea。

TheHuntsmanandtheFishermanAHUNTSMAN，returningwithhisdogsfromthefield，fellinbychancewithaFishermanwhowasbringinghomeabasketwellladenwithfish。TheHuntsmanwishedtohavethefish，andtheirownerexperiencedanequallongingforthecontentsofthegame-bag。

Theyquicklyagreedtoexchangetheproduceoftheirday"ssport。

Eachwassowellpleasedwithhisbargainthattheymadeforsometimethesameexchangedayafterday。Finallyaneighborsaidtothem，"Ifyougooninthisway，youwillsoondestroybyfrequentusethepleasureofyourexchange，andeachwillagainwishtoretainthefruitsofhisownsport。"

Abstainandenjoy。

TheOldWomanandtheWine-JarANOLDWOMANfoundanemptyjarwhichhadlatelybeenfullofprimeoldwineandwhichstillretainedthefragrantsmellofitsformercontents。Shegreedilyplaceditseveraltimestohernose，anddrawingitbackwardsandforwardssaid，"Omostdelicious!HownicemusttheWineitselfhavebeen，whenitleavesbehindintheveryvesselwhichcontaineditsosweetaperfume!"

Thememoryofagooddeedlives。

TheFoxandtheCrowACROWhavingstolenabitofmeat，perchedinatreeandhelditinherbeak。AFox，seeingthis，longedtopossessthemeathimself，andbyawilystratagemsucceeded。"HowhandsomeistheCrow，"heexclaimed，inthebeautyofhershapeandinthefairnessofhercomplexion!Oh，ifhervoicewereonlyequaltoherbeauty，shewoulddeservedlybeconsideredtheQueenofBirds!"Thishesaiddeceitfully；buttheCrow，anxioustorefutethereflectioncastuponhervoice，setupaloudcawanddroppedtheflesh。TheFoxquicklypickeditup，andthusaddressedtheCrow:"MygoodCrow，yourvoiceisrightenough，butyourwitiswanting。"

TheTwoDogsAMANhadtwodogs:aHound，trainedtoassisthiminhissports，andaHousedog，taughttowatchthehouse。Whenhereturnedhomeafteragoodday"ssport，healwaysgavetheHousedogalargeshareofhisspoil。TheHound，feelingmuchaggrievedatthis，reproachedhiscompanion，saying，"Itisveryhardtohaveallthislabor，whileyou，whodonotassistinthechase，luxuriateonthefruitsofmyexertions。"TheHousedogreplied，"Donotblameme，myfriend，butfindfaultwiththemaster，whohasnottaughtmetolabor，buttodependforsubsistenceonthelaborofothers。"

Childrenarenottobeblamedforthefaultsoftheirparents。

TheStagintheOx-StallASTAG，roundlychasedbythehoundsandblindedbyfeartothedangerhewasrunninginto，tookshelterinafarmyardandhidhimselfinashedamongtheoxen。AnOxgavehimthiskindlywarning:"Ounhappycreature!whyshouldyouthus，ofyourownaccord，incurdestructionandtrustyourselfinthehouseofyourenemy？"TheStagreplied:"Onlyallowme，friend，tostaywhereI

am，andIwillundertaketofindsomefavorableopportunityofeffectingmyescape。"Attheapproachoftheeveningtheherdsmancametofeedhiscattle，butdidnotseetheStag；andeventhefarm-bailiffwithseverallaborerspassedthroughtheshedandfailedtonoticehim。TheStag，congratulatinghimselfonhissafety，begantoexpresshissincerethankstotheOxenwhohadkindlyhelpedhiminthehourofneed。Oneofthemagainansweredhim:"Weindeedwishyouwell，butthedangerisnotover。Thereisoneotheryettopassthroughtheshed，whohasasitwereahundredeyes，anduntilhehascomeandgone，yourlifeisstillinperil。"Atthatmomentthemasterhimselfentered，andhavinghadtocomplainthathisoxenhadnotbeenproperlyfed，hewentuptotheirracksandcriedout:"Whyistheresuchascarcityoffodder？Thereisnothalfenoughstrawforthemtolieon。Thoselazyfellowshavenotevensweptthecobwebsaway。"Whilehethusexaminedeverythinginturn，hespiedthetipsoftheantlersoftheStagpeepingoutofthestraw。Thensummoninghislaborers，heorderedthattheStagshouldbeseizedandkilled。

TheHawk，theKite，andthePigeonsTHEPIGEONS，terrifiedbytheappearanceofaKite，calledupontheHawktodefendthem。Heatonceconsented。Whentheyhadadmittedhimintothecote，theyfoundthathemademorehavocandslewalargernumberoftheminonedaythantheKitecouldpounceuponinawholeyear。

Avoidaremedythatisworsethanthedisease。

TheWidowandtheSheepACERTAINpoorwidowhadonesolitarySheep。Atshearingtime，wishingtotakehisfleeceandtoavoidexpense，sheshearedhimherself，butusedtheshearssounskillfullythatwiththefleecesheshearedtheflesh。TheSheep，writhingwithpain，said，"Whydoyouhurtmeso，Mistress？Whatweightcanmybloodaddtothewool？Ifyouwantmyflesh，thereisthebutcher，whowillkillmeinaninstant；butifyouwantmyfleeceandwool，thereistheshearer，whowillshearandnothurtme。"

Theleastoutlayisnotalwaysthegreatestgain。

TheWildAssandtheLionAWILDASSandaLionenteredintoanalliancesothattheymightcapturethebeastsoftheforestwithgreaterease。TheLionagreedtoassisttheWildAsswithhisstrength，whiletheWildAssgavetheLionthebenefitofhisgreaterspeed。Whentheyhadtakenasmanybeastsastheirnecessitiesrequired，theLionundertooktodistributetheprey，andforthispurposedivideditintothreeshares。"Iwilltakethefirstshare，"hesaid，"becauseIamKing:andthesecondshare，asapartnerwithyouinthechase:andthethirdshare(believeme)willbeasourceofgreateviltoyou，unlessyouwillinglyresignittome，andsetoffasfastasyoucan。"

Mightmakesright。

TheEagleandtheArrowANEAGLEsatonaloftyrock，watchingthemovementsofaHarewhomhesoughttomakehisprey。Anarcher，whosawtheEaglefromaplaceofconcealment，tookanaccurateaimandwoundedhimmortally。TheEaglegaveonelookatthearrowthathadenteredhisheartandsawinthatsingleglancethatitsfeathershadbeenfurnishedbyhimself。"Itisadoublegrieftome，"heexclaimed，"thatIshouldperishbyanarrowfeatheredfrommyownwings。"

TheSickKiteAKITE，sickuntodeath，saidtohismother:"OMother!donotmourn，butatonceinvokethegodsthatmylifemaybeprolonged。"Shereplied，"Alas!myson，whichofthegodsdoyouthinkwillpityyou？Isthereonewhomyouhavenotoutragedbyfilchingfromtheirveryaltarsapartofthesacrificeoffereduptothem？"

Wemustmakefriendsinprosperityifwewouldhavetheirhelpinadversity。

TheLionandtheDolphinALIONroamingbytheseashoresawaDolphinliftupitsheadoutofthewaves，andsuggestedthattheycontractanalliance，sayingthatofalltheanimalstheyoughttobethebestfriends，sincetheonewasthekingofbeastsontheearth，andtheotherwasthesovereignrulerofalltheinhabitantsoftheocean。TheDolphingladlyconsentedtothisrequest。NotlongafterwardstheLionhadacombatwithawildbull，andcalledontheDolphintohelphim。TheDolphin，thoughquitewillingtogivehimassistance，wasunabletodoso，ashecouldnotbyanymeansreachtheland。TheLionabusedhimasatraitor。TheDolphinreplied，"Nay，myfriend，blamenotme，butNature，which，whilegivingmethesovereigntyofthesea，hasquitedeniedmethepoweroflivingupontheland。"

TheLionandtheBoarONASUMMERDAY，whenthegreatheatinducedageneralthirstamongthebeasts，aLionandaBoarcameatthesamemomenttoasmallwelltodrink。Theyfiercelydisputedwhichofthemshoulddrinkfirst，andweresoonengagedintheagoniesofamortalcombat。Whentheystoppedsuddenlytocatchtheirbreathforafiercerrenewalofthefight，theysawsomeVultureswaitinginthedistancetofeastontheonethatshouldfallfirst。Theyatoncemadeuptheirquarrel，saying，"Itisbetterforustomakefriends，thantobecomethefoodofCrowsorVultures。"

TheOne-EyedDoeADOEblindinoneeyewasaccustomedtograzeasneartotheedgeofthecliffasshepossiblycould，inthehopeofsecuringhergreatersafety。Sheturnedhersoundeyetowardsthelandthatshemightgettheearliesttidingsoftheapproachofhunterorhound，andherinjuredeyetowardsthesea，fromwhencesheentertainednoanticipationofdanger。Someboatmensailingbysawher，andtakingasuccessfulaim，mortallywoundedher。

Yieldingupherlastbreath，shegaspedforththislament:"O

wretchedcreaturethatIam!totakesuchprecautionagainsttheland，andafteralltofindthisseashore，towhichIhadcomeforsafety，somuchmoreperilous。"

TheShepherdandtheSeaASHEPHERD，keepingwatchoverhissheepneartheshore，sawtheSeaverycalmandsmooth，andlongedtomakeavoyagewithaviewtocommerce。Hesoldallhisflock，investeditinacargoofdates，andsetsail。Butaverygreattempestcameon，andtheshipbeingindangerofsinking，hethrewallhismerchandiseoverboard，andbarelyescapedwithhislifeintheemptyship。

NotlongafterwardswhensomeonepassedbyandobservedtheunruffledcalmoftheSea，heinterruptedhimandsaid，"Itisagaininwantofdates，andthereforelooksquiet。"

TheAss，theCock，andtheLionANASSandaCockwereinastraw-yardtogetherwhenaLion，desperatefromhunger，approachedthespot。HewasabouttospringupontheAss，whentheCock(tothesoundofwhosevoicetheLion，itissaid，hasasingularaversion)crowedloudly，andtheLionfledawayasfastashecould。TheAss，observinghistrepidationatthemerecrowingofaCocksummonedcouragetoattackhim，andgallopedafterhimforthatpurpose。Hehadrunnolongdistance，whentheLion，turningabout，seizedhimandtorehimtopieces。

Falseconfidenceoftenleadsintodanger。

TheMiceandtheWeaselsTHEWEASELSandtheMicewagedaperpetualwarwitheachother，inwhichmuchbloodwasshed。TheWeaselswerealwaysthevictors。TheMicethoughtthatthecauseoftheirfrequentdefeatswasthattheyhadnoleaderssetapartfromthegeneralarmytocommandthem，andthattheywereexposedtodangersfromlackofdiscipline。TheythereforechoseasleadersMicethatweremostrenownedfortheirfamilydescent，strength，andcounsel，aswellasthosemostnotedfortheircourageinthefight，sothattheymightbebettermarshaledinbattlearrayandformedintotroops，regiments，andbattalions。Whenallthiswasdone，andthearmydisciplined，andtheheraldMousehaddulyproclaimedwarbychallengingtheWeasels，thenewlychosengeneralsboundtheirheadswithstraws，thattheymightbemoreconspicuoustoalltheirtroops。Scarcelyhadthebattlebegun，whenagreatroutoverwhelmedtheMice，whoscamperedoffasfastastheycouldtotheirholes。Thegenerals，notbeingabletogetinonaccountoftheornamentsontheirheads，wereallcapturedandeatenbytheWeasels。

Themorehonorthemoredanger。

TheMiceinCouncilTHEMICEsummonedacounciltodecidehowtheymightbestdevisemeansofwarningthemselvesoftheapproachoftheirgreatenemytheCat。Amongthemanyplanssuggested，theonethatfoundmostfavorwastheproposaltotieabelltotheneckoftheCat，sothattheMice，beingwarnedbythesoundofthetinkling，mightrunawayandhidethemselvesintheirholesathisapproach。ButwhentheMicefurtherdebatedwhoamongthemshouldthus"belltheCat，"therewasnoonefoundtodoit。

TheWolfandtheHousedogAWOLF，meetingabigwell-fedMastiffwithawoodencollarabouthisneckaskedhimwhoitwasthatfedhimsowellandyetcompelledhimtodragthatheavylogaboutwhereverhewent。

"Themaster，"hereplied。ThensaidtheWolf:"Maynofriendofmineeverbeinsuchaplight；fortheweightofthischainisenoughtospoiltheappetite。"

TheRiversandtheSeaTHERIVERSjoinedtogethertocomplaintotheSea，saying，"Whyisitthatwhenweflowintoyourtidessopotableandsweet，youworkinussuchachange，andmakeussaltyandunfittodrink？"

TheSea，perceivingthattheyintendedtothrowtheblameonhim，said，"Prayceasetoflowintome，andthenyouwillnotbemadebriny。"

ThePlayfulAssANASSclimbeduptotheroofofabuilding，andfriskingaboutthere，brokeinthetiling。Theownerwentupafterhimandquicklydrovehimdown，beatinghimseverelywithathickwoodencudgel。TheAsssaid，"Why，IsawtheMonkeydothisverythingyesterday，andyoualllaughedheartily，asifitaffordedyouverygreatamusement。"

TheThreeTradesmenAGREATCITYwasbesieged，anditsinhabitantswerecalledtogethertoconsiderthebestmeansofprotectingitfromtheenemy。ABricklayerearnestlyrecommendedbricksasaffordingthebestmaterialforaneffectiveresistance。ACarpenter，withequalenthusiasm，proposedtimberasapreferablemethodofdefense。UponwhichaCurrierstoodupandsaid，"Sirs，Idifferfromyoualtogether:thereisnomaterialforresistanceequaltoacoveringofhides；andnothingsogoodasleather。"

Everymanforhimself。

TheMasterandHisDogsACERTAINMAN，detainedbyastorminhiscountryhouse，firstofallkilledhissheep，andthenhisgoats，forthemaintenanceofhishousehold。Thestormstillcontinuing，hewasobligedtoslaughterhisyokeoxenforfood。Onseeingthis，hisDogstookcounseltogether，andsaid，"Itistimeforustobeoff，forifthemastersparenothisoxen，whoworkforhisgain，howcanweexpecthimtospareus？"

Heisnottobetrustedasafriendwhomistreatshisownfamily。

TheWolfandtheShepherdsAWOLF，passingby，sawsomeShepherdsinahuteatingahaunchofmuttonfortheirdinner。Approachingthem，hesaid，"WhataclamoryouwouldraiseifIweretodoasyouaredoing!"

TheDolphins，theWhales，andtheSpratTHEDOLPHINSandWhaleswagedafiercewarwitheachother。Whenthebattlewasatitsheight，aSpratlifteditsheadoutofthewavesandsaidthathewouldreconciletheirdifferencesiftheywouldaccepthimasanumpire。OneoftheDolphinsreplied，"Wewouldfarratherbedestroyedinourbattlewitheachotherthanadmitanyinterferencefromyouinouraffairs。"

TheAssCarryingtheImageANASSoncecarriedthroughthestreetsofacityafamouswoodenImage，tobeplacedinoneofitsTemples。Ashepassedalong，thecrowdmadelowlyprostrationbeforetheImage。TheAss，thinkingthattheybowedtheirheadsintokenofrespectforhimself，bristledupwithpride，gavehimselfairs，andrefusedtomoveanotherstep。Thedriver，seeinghimthusstop，laidhiswhiplustilyabouthisshouldersandsaid，"Oyouperversedull-head!itisnotyetcometothis，thatmenpayworshiptoanAss。"

Theyarenotwisewhogivetothemselvesthecreditduetoothers。

TheTwoTravelersandtheAxeTWOMENwerejourneyingtogether。Oneofthempickedupanaxethatlayuponthepath，andsaid，"Ihavefoundanaxe。""Nay，myfriend，"repliedtheother，"donotsay"I，"but"We"havefoundanaxe。"Theyhadnotgonefarbeforetheysawtheowneroftheaxepursuingthem，andhewhohadpickeduptheaxesaid，"Weareundone。""Nay，"repliedtheother，"keeptoyourfirstmodeofspeech，myfriend；whatyouthoughtrightthen，thinkrightnow。

Say"I，"not"We"areundone。"

Hewhosharesthedangeroughttosharetheprize。

TheOldLionALION，wornoutwithyearsandpowerlessfromdisease，layonthegroundatthepointofdeath。ABoarrusheduponhim，andavengedwithastrokeofhistusksalong-rememberedinjury。

ShortlyafterwardstheBullwithhishornsgoredhimasifhewereanenemy。WhentheAsssawthatthehugebeastcouldbeassailedwithimpunity，heletdriveathisforeheadwithhisheels。TheexpiringLionsaid，"Ihavereluctantlybrookedtheinsultsofthebrave，buttobecompelledtoenduresuchtreatmentfromthee，adisgracetoNature，isindeedtodieadoubledeath。"

TheOldHoundAHOUND，whointhedaysofhisyouthandstrengthhadneveryieldedtoanybeastoftheforest，encounteredinhisoldageaboarinthechase。Heseizedhimboldlybytheear，butcouldnotretainhisholdbecauseofthedecayofhisteeth，sothattheboarescaped。Hismaster，quicklycomingup，wasverymuchdisappointed，andfiercelyabusedthedog。TheHoundlookedupandsaid，"Itwasnotmyfault。master:myspiritwasasgoodasever，butIcouldnothelpmyinfirmities。IratherdeservetobepraisedforwhatIhavebeen，thantobeblamedforwhatI

am。"

TheBeeandJupiterABEEfromMountHymettus，thequeenofthehive，ascendedtoOlympustopresentJupitersomehoneyfreshfromhercombs。

Jupiter，delightedwiththeofferingofhoney，promisedtogivewhateversheshouldask。Shethereforebesoughthim，saying，"Giveme，Ipraythee，asting，thatifanymortalshallapproachtotakemyhoney，Imaykillhim。"Jupiterwasmuchdispleased，forhelovedtheraceofman，butcouldnotrefusetherequestbecauseofhispromise。HethusansweredtheBee:"Youshallhaveyourrequest，butitwillbeattheperilofyourownlife。

Forifyouuseyoursting，itshallremaininthewoundyoumake，andthenyouwilldiefromthelossofit。"

Evilwishes，likechickens，comehometoroost。

TheMilk-WomanandHerPailAFARMER"SdaughterwascarryingherPailofmilkfromthefieldtothefarmhouse，whenshefella-musing。"Themoneyforwhichthismilkwillbesold，willbuyatleastthreehundredeggs。

Theeggs，allowingforallmishaps，willproducetwohundredandfiftychickens。Thechickenswillbecomereadyforthemarketwhenpoultrywillfetchthehighestprice，sothatbytheendoftheyearIshallhavemoneyenoughfrommysharetobuyanewgown。InthisdressIwillgototheChristmasparties，wherealltheyoungfellowswillproposetome，butIwilltossmyheadandrefusethemeveryone。"Atthismomentshetossedherheadinunisonwithherthoughts，whendownfellthemilkpailtotheground，andallherimaginaryschemesperishedinamoment。

TheSeasideTravelersSOMETRAVELERS，journeyingalongtheseashore，climbedtothesummitofatallcliff，andlookingoverthesea，sawinthedistancewhattheythoughtwasalargeship。Theywaitedinthehopeofseeingitentertheharbor，butastheobjectonwhichtheylookedwasdrivennearertoshorebythewind，theyfoundthatitcouldatthemostbeasmallboat，andnotaship。Whenhoweveritreachedthebeach，theydiscoveredthatitwasonlyalargefaggotofsticks，andoneofthemsaidtohiscompanions，"Wehavewaitedfornopurpose，forafterallthereisnothingtoseebutaloadofwood。"

Ourmereanticipationsoflifeoutrunitsrealities。

TheBrazierandHisDogABRAZIERhadalittleDog，whichwasagreatfavoritewithhismaster，andhisconstantcompanion。WhilehehammeredawayathismetalstheDogslept；butwhen，ontheotherhand，hewenttodinnerandbegantoeat，theDogwokeupandwaggedhistail，asifhewouldaskforashareofhismeal。Hismasteroneday，pretendingtobeangryandshakinghisstickathim，said，"Youwretchedlittlesluggard!whatshallIdotoyou？WhileIamhammeringontheanvil，yousleeponthemat；andwhenIbegintoeataftermytoil，youwakeupandwagyourtailforfood。Doyounotknowthatlaboristhesourceofeveryblessing，andthatnonebutthosewhoworkareentitledtoeat？"

TheAssandHisShadowATRAVELERhiredanAsstoconveyhimtoadistantplace。Thedaybeingintenselyhot，andthesunshininginitsstrength，theTravelerstoppedtorest，andsoughtshelterfromtheheatundertheShadowoftheAss。Asthisaffordedonlyprotectionforone，andastheTravelerandtheowneroftheAssbothclaimedit，aviolentdisputearosebetweenthemastowhichofthemhadtherighttotheShadow。TheownermaintainedthathehadlettheAssonly，andnothisShadow。TheTravelerassertedthathehad，withthehireoftheAss，hiredhisShadowalso。Thequarrelproceededfromwordstoblows，andwhilethemenfought，theAssgallopedoff。

Inquarrelingabouttheshadowweoftenlosethesubstance。

TheAssandHisMastersANASS，belongingtoanherb-sellerwhogavehimtoolittlefoodandtoomuchworkmadeapetitiontoJupitertobereleasedfromhispresentserviceandprovidedwithanothermaster。Jupiter，afterwarninghimthathewouldrepenthisrequest，causedhimtobesoldtoatile-maker。Shortlyafterwards，findingthathehadheavierloadstocarryandharderworkinthebrick-field，hepetitionedforanotherchangeofmaster。Jupiter，tellinghimthatitwouldbethelasttimethathecouldgranthisrequest，ordainedthathebesoldtoatanner。TheAssfoundthathehadfallenintoworsehands，andnotinghismaster"soccupation，said，groaning:"Itwouldhavebeenbetterformetohavebeeneitherstarvedbytheone，ortohavebeenoverworkedbytheotherofmyformermasters，thantohavebeenboughtbymypresentowner，whowillevenafterIamdeadtanmyhide，andmakemeusefultohim。"

TheOakandtheReedsAVERYLARGEOAKwasuprootedbythewindandthrownacrossastream。ItfellamongsomeReeds，whichitthusaddressed:"I

wonderhowyou，whoaresolightandweak，arenotentirelycrushedbythesestrongwinds。"Theyreplied，"Youfightandcontendwiththewind，andconsequentlyyouaredestroyed；whileweonthecontrarybendbeforetheleastbreathofair，andthereforeremainunbroken，andescape。"

Stooptoconquer。

TheFishermanandtheLittleFishAFISHERMANwholivedontheproduceofhisnets，onedaycaughtasinglesmallFishastheresultofhisday"slabor。TheFish，pantingconvulsively，thusentreatedforhislife:"OSir，whatgoodcanIbetoyou，andhowlittleamIworth？Iamnotyetcometomyfullsize。Praysparemylife，andputmebackintothesea。Ishallsoonbecomealargefishfitforthetablesoftherich，andthenyoucancatchmeagain，andmakeahandsomeprofitofme。"TheFishermanreplied，"Ishouldindeedbeaverysimplefellowif，forthechanceofagreateruncertainprofit，I

weretoforegomypresentcertaingain。"

TheHunterandtheWoodmanAHUNTER，notverybold，wassearchingforthetracksofaLion。

Heaskedamanfellingoaksintheforestifhehadseenanymarksofhisfootstepsorknewwherehislairwas。"Iwill，"

saidtheman，"atonceshowyoutheLionhimself。"TheHunter，turningverypaleandchatteringwithhisteethfromfear，replied，"No，thankyou。Ididnotaskthat；itishistrackonlyIaminsearchof，nottheLionhimself。"

Theheroisbraveindeedsaswellaswords。

TheWildBoarandtheFoxAWILDBOARstoodunderatreeandrubbedhistusksagainstthetrunk。AFoxpassingbyaskedhimwhyhethussharpenedhisteethwhentherewasnodangerthreateningfromeitherhuntsmanorhound。Hereplied，"Idoitadvisedly；foritwouldneverdotohavetosharpenmyweaponsjustatthetimeIoughttobeusingthem。"

TheLioninaFarmyardALIONenteredafarmyard。TheFarmer，wishingtocatchhim，shutthegate。WhentheLionfoundthathecouldnotescape，heflewuponthesheepandkilledthem，andthenattackedtheoxen。

TheFarmer，beginningtobealarmedforhisownsafety，openedthegateandreleasedtheLion。OnhisdeparturetheFarmergrievouslylamentedthedestructionofhissheepandoxen，buthiswife，whohadbeenaspectatortoallthattookplace，said，"Onmyword，youarerightlyserved，forhowcouldyouforamomentthinkofshuttingupaLionalongwithyouinyourfarmyardwhenyouknowthatyoushakeinyourshoesifyouonlyhearhisroaratadistance？"

MercuryandtheSculptorMERCURYONCEDETERMINEDtolearninwhatesteemhewasheldamongmortals。ForthispurposeheassumedthecharacterofamanandvisitedinthisdisguiseaSculptor"sstudiohavinglookedatvariousstatues，hedemandedthepriceoftwofiguresofJupiterandJuno。Whenthesumatwhichtheywerevaluedwasnamed，hepointedtoafigureofhimself，sayingtotheSculptor，"Youwillcertainlywantmuchmoreforthis，asitisthestatueoftheMessengeroftheGods，andauthorofallyourgain。"TheSculptorreplied，"Well，ifyouwillbuythese，I"llflingyouthatintothebargain。"

TheSwanandtheGooseACERTAINrichmanboughtinthemarketaGooseandaSwan。Hefedtheoneforhistableandkepttheotherforthesakeofitssong。WhenthetimecameforkillingtheGoose，thecookwenttogethimatnight，whenitwasdark，andhewasnotabletodistinguishonebirdfromtheother。BymistakehecaughttheSwaninsteadoftheGoose。TheSwan，threatenedwithdeath，burstforthintosongandthusmadehimselfknownbyhisvoice，andpreservedhislifebyhismelody。

TheSwollenFoxAVERYHUNGRYFOX，seeingsomebreadandmeatleftbyshepherdsinthehollowofanoak，creptintotheholeandmadeaheartymeal。Whenhefinished，hewassofullthathewasnotabletogetout，andbegantogroanandlamenthisfate。AnotherFoxpassingbyheardhiscries，andcomingup，inquiredthecauseofhiscomplaining。Onlearningwhathadhappened，hesaidtohim，"Ah，youwillhavetoremainthere，myfriend，untilyoubecomesuchasyouwerewhenyoucreptin，andthenyouwilleasilygetout。"

TheFoxandtheWoodcutterAFOX，runningbeforethehounds，cameacrossaWoodcutterfellinganoakandbeggedhimtoshowhimasafehiding-place。

TheWoodcutteradvisedhimtotakeshelterinhisownhut，sotheFoxcreptinandhidhimselfinacorner。ThehuntsmansooncameupwithhishoundsandinquiredoftheWoodcutterifhehadseentheFox。Hedeclaredthathehadnotseenhim，andyetpointed，allthetimehewasspeaking，tothehutwheretheFoxlayhidden。Thehuntsmantooknonoticeofthesigns，butbelievinghisword，hastenedforwardinthechase。Assoonastheywerewellaway，theFoxdepartedwithouttakinganynoticeoftheWoodcutter:whereonhecalledtohimandreproachedhim，saying，"Youungratefulfellow，youoweyourlifetome，andyetyouleavemewithoutawordofthanks。"TheFoxreplied，"Indeed，I

shouldhavethankedyouferventlyifyourdeedshadbeenasgoodasyourwords，andifyourhandshadnotbeentraitorstoyourspeech。"

TheBirdcatcher，thePartridge，andtheCockABIRDCATCHERwasabouttositdowntoadinnerofherbswhenafriendunexpectedlycamein。Thebird-trapwasquiteempty，ashehadcaughtnothing，andhehadtokillapiedPartridge，whichhehadtamedforadecoy。Thebirdentreatedearnestlyforhislife:"Whatwouldyoudowithoutmewhennextyouspreadyournets？Whowouldchirpyoutosleep，orcallforyouthecoveyofansweringbirds？"TheBirdcatchersparedhislife，anddeterminedtopickoutafineyoungCockjustattainingtohiscomb。ButtheCockexpostulatedinpiteoustonesfromhisperch:"Ifyoukillme，whowillannouncetoyoutheappearanceofthedawn？

Whowillwakeyoutoyourdailytasksortellyouwhenitistimetovisitthebird-trapinthemorning？"Hereplied，"Whatyousayistrue。Youareacapitalbirdattellingthetimeofday。ButmyfriendandImusthaveourdinners。"

Necessityknowsnolaw。

TheMonkeyandtheFishermenAMONKEYpercheduponaloftytreesawsomeFishermencastingtheirnetsintoariver，andnarrowlywatchedtheirproceedings。

TheFishermenafterawhilegaveupfishing，andongoinghometodinnerlefttheirnetsuponthebank。TheMonkey，whoisthemostimitativeofanimals，descendedfromthetreetopandendeavoredtodoastheyhaddone。Havinghandledthenet，hethrewitintotheriver，butbecametangledinthemeshesanddrowned。Withhislastbreathhesaidtohimself，"Iamrightlyserved；forwhatbusinesshadIwhohadneverhandledanettotryandcatchfish？"

TheFleaandtheWrestlerAFLEAsettleduponthebarefootofaWrestlerandbithim，causingthemantocallloudlyuponHerculesforhelp。WhentheFleaasecondtimehoppeduponhisfoot，hegroanedandsaid，"O

Hercules!ifyouwillnothelpmeagainstaFlea，howcanIhopeforyourassistanceagainstgreaterantagonists？"

TheTwoFrogsTWOFROGSdweltinthesamepool。Whenthepooldriedupunderthesummer"sheat，theyleftitandsetouttogetherforanotherhome。Astheywentalongtheychancedtopassadeepwell，amplysuppliedwithwater，andwhentheysawit，oneoftheFrogssaidtotheother，"Letusdescendandmakeourabodeinthiswell:itwillfurnishuswithshelterandfood。"Theotherrepliedwithgreatercaution，"Butsupposethewatershouldfailus。Howcanwegetoutagainfromsogreatadepth？"

Donothingwithoutaregardtotheconsequences。

TheCatandtheMiceACERTAINHOUSEwasoverrunwithMice。ACat，discoveringthis，madeherwayintoitandbegantocatchandeatthemonebyone。

Fearingfortheirlives，theMicekeptthemselvescloseintheirholes。TheCatwasnolongerabletogetatthemandperceivedthatshemusttemptthemforthbysomedevice。Forthispurposeshejumpeduponapeg，andsuspendingherselffromit，pretendedtobedead。OneoftheMice，peepingstealthilyout，sawherandsaid，"Ah，mygoodmadam，eventhoughyoushouldturnintoameal-bag，wewillnotcomenearyou。"

TheLion，theBear，andtheFoxALIONandaBearseizedaKidatthesamemoment，andfoughtfiercelyforitspossession。Whentheyhadfearfullylaceratedeachotherandwerefaintfromthelongcombat，theylaydownexhaustedwithfatigue。AFox，whohadgoneroundthematadistanceseveraltimes，sawthembothstretchedonthegroundwiththeKidlyinguntouchedinthemiddle。Heraninbetweenthem，andseizingtheKidscamperedoffasfastashecould。TheLionandtheBearsawhim，butnotbeingabletogetup，said，"Woebetous，thatweshouldhavefoughtandbelaboredourselvesonlytoservetheturnofaFox。"

Itsometimeshappensthatonemanhasallthetoil，andanotheralltheprofit。

TheDoeandtheLionADOEhardpressedbyhunterssoughtrefugeinacavebelongingtoaLion。TheLionconcealedhimselfonseeingherapproach，butwhenshewassafewithinthecave，spranguponherandtorehertopieces。"Woeisme，"exclaimedtheDoe，"whohaveescapedfromman，onlytothrowmyselfintothemouthofawildbeast？"

Inavoidingoneevil，caremustbetakennottofallintoanother。

TheFarmerandtheFoxAFARMER，whoboreagrudgeagainstaFoxforrobbinghispoultryyard，caughthimatlast，andbeingdeterminedtotakeanamplerevenge，tiedsomeropewellsoakedinoiltohistail，andsetitonfire。TheFoxbyastrangefatalityrushedtothefieldsoftheFarmerwhohadcapturedhim。Itwasthetimeofthewheatharvest；buttheFarmerreapednothingthatyearandreturnedhomegrievingsorely。

TheSeagullandtheKiteASEAGULLhavingbolteddowntoolargeafish，burstitsdeepgullet-bagandlaydownontheshoretodie。AKitesawhimandexclaimed:"Yourichlydeserveyourfate；forabirdoftheairhasnobusinesstoseekitsfoodfromthesea。"

Everymanshouldbecontenttomindhisownbusiness。

ThePhilosopher，theAnts，andMercuryAPHILOSOPHERwitnessedfromtheshoretheshipwreckofavessel，ofwhichthecrewandpassengerswerealldrowned。HeinveighedagainsttheinjusticeofProvidence，whichwouldforthesakeofonecriminalperchancesailingintheshipallowsomanyinnocentpersonstoperish。Ashewasindulginginthesereflections，hefoundhimselfsurroundedbyawholearmyofAnts，nearwhosenesthewasstanding。Oneofthemclimbedupandstunghim，andheimmediatelytrampledthemalltodeathwithhisfoot。Mercurypresentedhimself，andstrikingthePhilosopherwithhiswand，said，"AndareyouindeedtomakeyourselfajudgeofthedealingsofProvidence，whohastthyselfinasimilarmannertreatedthesepoorAnts？"

TheMouseandtheBullABULLwasbittenbyaMouseand，angeredbythewound，triedtocapturehim。ButtheMousereachedhisholeinsafety。ThoughtheBulldugintothewallswithhishorns，hetiredbeforehecouldroutouttheMouse，andcrouchingdown，wenttosleepoutsidethehole。TheMousepeepedout，creptfurtivelyuphisflank，andagainbitinghim，retreatedtohishole。TheBullrisingup，andnotknowingwhattodo，wassadlyperplexed。AtwhichtheMousesaid，"Thegreatdonotalwaysprevail。Therearetimeswhenthesmallandlowlyarethestrongesttodomischief。"

TheLionandtheHareALIONcameacrossaHare，whowasfastasleep。Hewasjustintheactofseizingher，whenafineyoungHarttrottedby，andhelefttheHaretofollowhim。TheHare，scaredbythenoise，awokeandscuddedaway。TheLionwasunableafteralongchasetocatchtheHart，andreturnedtofeedupontheHare。OnfindingthattheHarealsohadrunoff，hesaid，"Iamrightlyserved，forhavingletgoofthefoodthatIhadinmyhandforthechanceofobtainingmore。"

ThePeasantandtheEagleAPEASANTfoundanEaglecapturedinatrap，andmuchadmiringthebird，sethimfree。TheEagledidnotproveungratefultohisdeliverer，forseeingthePeasantsittingunderawallwhichwasnotsafe，heflewtowardhimandwithhistalonssnatchedabundlefromhishead。WhenthePeasantroseinpursuit，theEagleletthebundlefallagain。Takingitup，themanreturnedtothesameplace，tofindthatthewallunderwhichhehadbeensittinghadfallentopieces；andhemarveledattheservicerenderedhimbytheEagle。

TheImageofMercuryandtheCarpenterAVERYPOORMAN，aCarpenterbytrade，hadawoodenimageofMercury，beforewhichhemadeofferingsdaybyday，andbeggedtheidoltomakehimrich，butinspiteofhisentreatieshebecamepoorerandpoorer。Atlast，beingveryangry，hetookhisimagedownfromitspedestalanddasheditagainstthewall。

Whenitsheadwasknockedoff，outcameastreamofgold，whichtheCarpenterquicklypickedupandsaid，"Well，Ithinkthouartaltogethercontradictoryandunreasonable；forwhenIpaidyouhonor，Ireapednobenefits:butnowthatImaltreatyouIamloadedwithanabundanceofriches。"

TheBullandtheGoatABULL，escapingfromaLion，hidinacavewhichsomeshepherdshadrecentlyoccupied。Assoonasheentered，aHe-Goatleftinthecavesharplyattackedhimwithhishorns。TheBullquietlyaddressedhim:"Buttawayasmuchasyouwill。Ihavenofearofyou，butoftheLion。LetthatmonstergoawayandIwillsoonletyouknowwhatistherespectivestrengthofaGoatandaBull。"

Itshowsanevildispositiontotakeadvantageofafriendindistress。

TheDancingMonkeysAPRINCEhadsomeMonkeystrainedtodance。Beingnaturallygreatmimicsofmen"sactions，theyshowedthemselvesmostaptpupils，andwhenarrayedintheirrichclothesandmasks，theydancedaswellasanyofthecourtiers。Thespectaclewasoftenrepeatedwithgreatapplause，tillononeoccasionacourtier，bentonmischief，tookfromhispocketahandfulofnutsandthrewthemuponthestage。TheMonkeysatthesightofthenutsforgottheirdancingandbecame(asindeedtheywere)Monkeysinsteadofactors。Pullingofftheirmasksandtearingtheirrobes，theyfoughtwithoneanotherforthenuts。Thedancingspectaclethuscametoanendamidstthelaughterandridiculeoftheaudience。

TheFoxandtheLeopardTHEFOXandtheLeoparddisputedwhichwasthemorebeautifulofthetwo。TheLeopardexhibitedonebyonethevariousspotswhichdecoratedhisskin。ButtheFox，interruptinghim，said，"AndhowmuchmorebeautifulthanyouamI，whoamdecorated，notinbody，butinmind。"

TheMonkeysandTheirMotherTHEMONKEY，itissaid，hastwoyoungonesateachbirth。TheMotherfondlesoneandnurturesitwiththegreatestaffectionandcare，buthatesandneglectstheother。IthappenedoncethattheyoungonewhichwascaressedandlovedwassmotheredbythetoogreataffectionoftheMother，whilethedespisedonewasnurturedandrearedinspiteoftheneglecttowhichitwasexposed。

Thebestintentionswillnotalwaysensuresuccess。

TheOaksandJupiterTHEOAKSpresentedacomplainttoJupiter，saying，"Webearfornopurposetheburdenoflife，asofallthetreesthatgrowwearethemostcontinuallyinperiloftheaxe。"Jupitermadeanswer:"Youhaveonlytothankyourselvesforthemisfortunestowhichyouareexposed:forifyoudidnotmakesuchexcellentpillarsandposts，andproveyourselvessoserviceabletothecarpentersandthefarmers，theaxewouldnotsofrequentlybelaidtoyourroots。"

TheHareandtheHoundAHOUNDstartedaHarefromhislair，butafteralongrun，gaveupthechase。Agoat-herdseeinghimstop，mockedhim，saying"Thelittleoneisthebestrunnerofthetwo。"TheHoundreplied，"Youdonotseethedifferencebetweenus:Iwasonlyrunningforadinner，butheforhislife。"

TheTravelerandFortuneATRAVELERweariedfromalongjourneylaydown，overcomewithfatigue，ontheverybrinkofadeepwell。Justashewasabouttofallintothewater，DameFortune，itissaid，appearedtohimandwakinghimfromhisslumberthusaddressedhim:"GoodSir，praywakeup:forifyoufallintothewell，theblamewillbethrownonme，andIshallgetanillnameamongmortals；forI

findthatmenaresuretoimputetheircalamitiestome，howevermuchbytheirownfollytheyhavereallybroughtthemonthemselves。"

Everyoneismoreorlessmasterofhisownfate。

TheBaldKnightABALDKNIGHT，whoworeawig，wentouttohunt。Asuddenpuffofwindblewoffhishatandwig，atwhichaloudlaughrangforthfromhiscompanions。Hepulleduphishorse，andwithgreatgleejoinedinthejokebysaying，"Whatamarvelitisthathairswhicharenotmineshouldflyfromme，whentheyhaveforsakeneventhemanonwhoseheadtheygrew。"

TheShepherdandtheDogASHEPHERDpenninghissheepinthefoldforthenightwasabouttoshutupawolfwiththem，whenhisDogperceivingthewolfsaid，"Master，howcanyouexpectthesheeptobesafeifyouadmitawolfintothefold？"

TheLampALAMP，soakedwithtoomuchoilandflaringbrightly，boastedthatitgavemorelightthanthesun。Thenasuddenpuffofwindarose，andtheLampwasimmediatelyextinguished。Itsownerlititagain，andsaid:"Boastnomore，buthenceforthbecontenttogivethylightinsilence。Knowthatnoteventhestarsneedtoberelit"

TheLion，theFox，andtheAssTHELION，theFoxandtheAssenteredintoanagreementtoassisteachotherinthechase。Havingsecuredalargebooty，theLionontheirreturnfromtheforestaskedtheAsstoallothisdueportiontoeachofthethreepartnersinthetreaty。TheAsscarefullydividedthespoilintothreeequalsharesandmodestlyrequestedthetwootherstomakethefirstchoice。TheLion，burstingoutintoagreatrage，devouredtheAss。ThenherequestedtheFoxtodohimthefavortomakeadivision。TheFoxaccumulatedallthattheyhadkilledintoonelargeheapandlefttohimselfthesmallestpossiblemorsel。TheLionsaid，"Whohastaughtyou，myveryexcellentfellow，theartofdivision？Youareperfecttoafraction。"Hereplied，"IlearneditfromtheAss，bywitnessinghisfate。"

Happyisthemanwholearnsfromthemisfortunesofothers。

TheBull，theLioness，andtheWild-BoarHunterABULLfindingalion"scubasleepgoredhimtodeathwithhishorns。TheLionesscameup，andbitterlylamentedthedeathofherwhelp。Awild-boarHunter，seeingherdistress，stoodatadistanceandsaidtoher，"Thinkhowmanymentherearewhohavereasontolamentthelossoftheirchildren，whosedeathshavebeencausedbyyou。"

TheOakandtheWoodcuttersTHEWOODCUTTERcutdownaMountainOakandsplititinpieces，makingwedgesofitsownbranchesfordividingthetrunk。TheOaksaidwithasigh，"Idonotcareabouttheblowsoftheaxeaimedatmyroots，butIdogrieveatbeingtorninpiecesbythesewedgesmadefrommyownbranches。"

Misfortunesspringingfromourselvesarethehardesttobear。

TheHenandtheGoldenEggsACOTTAGERandhiswifehadaHenthatlaidagoldeneggeveryday。TheysupposedthattheHenmustcontainagreatlumpofgoldinitsinside，andinordertogetthegoldtheykilledit。

Havingdoneso，theyfoundtotheirsurprisethattheHendifferedinnorespectfromtheirotherhens。Thefoolishpair，thushopingtobecomerichallatonce，deprivedthemselvesofthegainofwhichtheywereassureddaybyday。

TheAssandtheFrogsANASS，carryingaloadofwood，passedthroughapond。Ashewascrossingthroughthewaterhelosthisfooting，stumbledandfell，andnotbeingabletoriseonaccountofhisload，groanedheavily。SomeFrogsfrequentingthepoolheardhislamentation，andsaid，"Whatwouldyoudoifyouhadtoliveherealwaysaswedo，whenyoumakesuchafussaboutamerefallintothewater？"

Menoftenbearlittlegrievanceswithlesscouragethantheydolargemisfortunes。

TheCrowandtheRavenACROWwasjealousoftheRaven，becausehewasconsideredabirdofgoodomenandalwaysattractedtheattentionofmen，whonotedbyhisflightthegoodorevilcourseoffutureevents。Seeingsometravelersapproaching，theCrowflewupintoatree，andperchingherselfononeofthebranches，cawedasloudlyasshecould。Thetravelersturnedtowardsthesoundandwonderedwhatitforeboded，whenoneofthemsaidtohiscompanion，"Letusproceedonourjourney，myfriend，foritisonlythecawofacrow，andhercry，youknow，isnoomen。"

Thosewhoassumeacharacterwhichdoesnotbelongtothem，onlymakethemselvesridiculous。

TheTreesandtheAxeAMANcameintoaforestandaskedtheTreestoprovidehimahandleforhisaxe。TheTreesconsentedtohisrequestandgavehimayoungash-tree。Nosoonerhadthemanfittedanewhandletohisaxefromit，thanhebegantouseitandquicklyfelledwithhisstrokesthenoblestgiantsoftheforest。Anoldoak，lamentingwhentoolatethedestructionofhiscompanions，saidtoaneighboringcedar，"Thefirststephaslostusall。Ifwehadnotgivenuptherightsoftheash，wemightyethaveretainedourownprivilegesandhavestoodforages。"

TheCrabandtheFoxACRAB，forsakingtheseashore，choseaneighboringgreenmeadowasitsfeedingground。AFoxcameacrosshim，andbeingveryhungryatehimup。Justashewasonthepointofbeingeaten，theCrabsaid，"Iwelldeservemyfate，forwhatbusinesshadI

ontheland，whenbymynatureandhabitsIamonlyadaptedforthesea？"

Contentmentwithourlotisanelementofhappiness。

TheWomanandHerHenAWOMANpossessedaHenthatgaveheraneggeveryday。Sheoftenponderedhowshemightobtaintwoeggsdailyinsteadofone，andatlast，togainherpurpose，determinedtogivetheHenadoubleallowanceofbarley。FromthatdaytheHenbecamefatandsleek，andneveroncelaidanotheregg。

TheAssandtheOldShepherdASHEPHERD，watchinghisAssfeedinginameadow，wasalarmedallofasuddenbythecriesoftheenemy。HeappealedtotheAsstoflywithhim，lesttheyshouldbothbecaptured，buttheanimallazilyreplied，"WhyshouldI，pray？Doyouthinkitlikelytheconquerorwillplaceonmetwosetsofpanniers？""No，"rejoinedtheShepherd。"Then，"saidtheAss，"aslongasIcarrythepanniers，whatmattersittomewhomIserve？"

Inachangeofgovernmentthepoorchangenothingbeyondthenameoftheirmaster。

TheKitesandtheSwansTEEKITESofoldentimes，aswellastheSwans，hadtheprivilegeofsong。Buthavingheardtheneighofthehorse，theyweresoenchantedwiththesound，thattheytriedtoimitateit；and，intryingtoneigh，theyforgothowtosing。

Thedesireforimaginarybenefitsofteninvolvesthelossofpresentblessings。

TheWolvesandtheSheepdogsTHEWOLVESthusaddressedtheSheepdogs:"Whyshouldyou，whoarelikeusinsomanythings，notbeentirelyofonemindwithus，andlivewithusasbrothersshould？Wedifferfromyouinonepointonly。Weliveinfreedom，butyoubowdowntoandslaveformen，whoinreturnforyourservicesflogyouwithwhipsandputcollarsonyournecks。Theymakeyoualsoguardtheirsheep，andwhiletheyeatthemuttonthrowonlythebonestoyou。Ifyouwillbepersuadedbyus，youwillgiveusthesheep，andwewillenjoythemincommon，tillweallaresurfeited。"TheDogslistenedfavorablytotheseproposals，and，enteringthedenoftheWolves，theyweresetuponandtorntopieces。

TheHaresandtheFoxesTHEHARESwagedwarwiththeEagles，andcalledupontheFoxestohelpthem。Theyreplied，"Wewouldwillinglyhavehelpedyou，ifwehadnotknownwhoyouwere，andwithwhomyouwerefighting。"

Countthecostbeforeyoucommityourselves。