第4章

Mercuryappearedtohimjustashehopedhewould；andhavinglearnedthecauseofhisgrief，plungedintothestreamandbroughtupagoldenaxe，inquiringifhehadlostit。TheWorkmanseizeditgreedily，anddeclaredthattrulyitwastheverysameaxethathehadlost。Mercury，displeasedathisknavery，notonlytookawaythegoldenaxe，butrefusedtorecoverforhimtheaxehehadthrownintothepool。

TheEagleandtheJackdawANEAGLE，flyingdownfromhisperchonaloftyrock，seizeduponalambandcarriedhimaloftinhistalons。AJackdaw，whowitnessedthecaptureofthelamb，wasstirredwithenvyanddeterminedtoemulatethestrengthandflightoftheEagle。Heflewaroundwithagreatwhirofhiswingsandsettleduponalargeram，withtheintentionofcarryinghimoff，buthisclawsbecameentangledintheram"sfleeceandhewasnotabletoreleasehimself，althoughheflutteredwithhisfeathersasmuchashecould。Theshepherd，seeingwhathadhappened，ranupandcaughthim。HeatonceclippedtheJackdaw"swings，andtakinghimhomeatnight，gavehimtohischildren。Ontheirsaying，"Father，whatkindofbirdisit？"hereplied，"TomycertainknowledgeheisaDaw；buthewouldlikeyoutothinkanEagle。"

TheFoxandtheCraneAFOXinvitedaCranetosupperandprovidednothingforhisentertainmentbutsomesoupmadeofpulse，whichwaspouredoutintoabroadflatstonedish。ThesoupfelloutofthelongbilloftheCraneateverymouthful，andhisvexationatnotbeingabletoeataffordedtheFoxmuchamusement。TheCrane，inhisturn，askedtheFoxtosupwithhim，andsetbeforeheraflagonwithalongnarrowmouth，sothathecouldeasilyinserthisneckandenjoyitscontentsathisleisure。TheFox，unableeventotasteit，metwithafittingrequital，afterthefashionofherownhospitality。

Jupiter，Neptune，Minerva，andMomusACCORDINGtoanancientlegend，thefirstmanwasmadebyJupiter，thefirstbullbyNeptune，andthefirsthousebyMinerva。Onthecompletionoftheirlabors，adisputearoseastowhichhadmadethemostperfectwork。TheyagreedtoappointMomusasjudge，andtoabidebyhisdecision。Momus，however，beingveryenviousofthehandicraftofeach，foundfaultwithall。HefirstblamedtheworkofNeptunebecausehehadnotmadethehornsofthebullbelowhiseyes，sohemightbetterseewheretostrike。HethencondemnedtheworkofJupiter，becausehehadnotplacedtheheartofmanontheoutside，thateveryonemightreadthethoughtsoftheevildisposedandtakeprecautionsagainsttheintendedmischief。And，lastly，heinveighedagainstMinervabecauseshehadnotcontrivedironwheelsinthefoundationofherhouse，soitsinhabitantsmightmoreeasilyremoveifaneighborprovedunpleasant。Jupiter，indignantatsuchinveteratefaultfinding，drovehimfromhisofficeofjudge，andexpelledhimfromthemansionsofOlympus。

TheEagleandtheFoxANEAGLEandaFoxformedanintimatefriendshipanddecidedtoliveneareachother。TheEaglebuilthernestinthebranchesofatalltree，whiletheFoxcreptintotheunderwoodandthereproducedheryoung。Notlongaftertheyhadagreeduponthisplan，theEagle，beinginwantofprovisionforheryoungones，swoopeddownwhiletheFoxwasout，seizedupononeofthelittlecubs，andfeastedherselfandherbrood。TheFoxonherreturn，discoveredwhathadhappened，butwaslessgrievedforthedeathofheryoungthanforherinabilitytoavengethem。Ajustretribution，however，quicklyfellupontheEagle。Whilehoveringnearanaltar，onwhichsomevillagersweresacrificingagoat，shesuddenlyseizedapieceoftheflesh，andcarriedit，alongwithaburningcinder，tohernest。Astrongbreezesoonfannedthesparkintoaflame，andtheeaglets，asyetunfledgedandhelpless，wereroastedintheirnestanddroppeddowndeadatthebottomofthetree。There，inthesightoftheEagle，theFoxgobbledthemup。

TheManandtheSatyrAMANandaSatyroncedranktogetherintokenofabondofalliancebeingformedbetweenthem。Oneverycoldwintryday，astheytalked，theManputhisfingerstohismouthandblewonthem。WhentheSatyraskedthereasonforthis，hetoldhimthathedidittowarmhishandsbecausetheyweresocold。Lateroninthedaytheysatdowntoeat，andthefoodpreparedwasquitescalding。TheManraisedoneofthedishesalittletowardshismouthandblewinit。WhentheSatyragaininquiredthereason，hesaidthathedidittocoolthemeat，whichwastoohot。"I

cannolongerconsideryouasafriend，"saidtheSatyr，"afellowwhowiththesamebreathblowshotandcold。"

TheAssandHisPurchaserAMANwishedtopurchaseanAss，andagreedwithitsownerthatheshouldtryouttheanimalbeforeheboughthim。HetooktheAsshomeandputhiminthestraw-yardwithhisotherAsses，uponwhichthenewanimalleftalltheothersandatoncejoinedtheonethatwasmostidleandthegreatesteaterofthemall。

Seeingthis，themanputahalteronhimandledhimbacktohisowner。Onbeingaskedhow，insoshortatime，hecouldhavemadeatrialofhim，heanswered，"Idonotneedatrial；Iknowthathewillbejustthesameastheonehechoseforhiscompanion。"

Amanisknownbythecompanyhekeeps。

TheTwoBagsEVERYMAN，accordingtoanancientlegend，isbornintotheworldwithtwobagssuspendedfromhisneckallbaginfrontfullofhisneighbors"faults，andalargebagbehindfilledwithhisownfaults。Henceitisthatmenarequicktoseethefaultsofothers，andyetareoftenblindtotheirownfailings。

TheStagatthePoolASTAGoverpoweredbyheatcametoaspringtodrink。Seeinghisownshadowreflectedinthewater，hegreatlyadmiredthesizeandvarietyofhishorns，butfeltangrywithhimselfforhavingsuchslenderandweakfeet。Whilehewasthuscontemplatinghimself，aLionappearedatthepoolandcrouchedtospringuponhim。TheStagimmediatelytooktoflight，andexertinghisutmostspeed，aslongastheplainwassmoothandopenkepthimselfeasilyatasafedistancefromtheLion。Butenteringawoodhebecameentangledbyhishorns，andtheLionquicklycameuptohimandcaughthim。Whentoolate，hethusreproachedhimself:"Woeisme!HowIhavedeceivedmyself!ThesefeetwhichwouldhavesavedmeIdespised，andIgloriedintheseantlerswhichhaveprovedmydestruction。"

Whatismosttrulyvaluableisoftenunderrated。

TheJackdawandtheFoxAHALF-FAMISHEDJACKDAWseatedhimselfonafig-tree，whichhadproducedsomefruitentirelyoutofseason，andwaitedinthehopethatthefigswouldripen。AFoxseeinghimsittingsolongandlearningthereasonofhisdoingso，saidtohim，"Youareindeed，sir，sadlydeceivingyourself；youareindulgingahopestrongenoughtocheatyou，butwhichwillneverrewardyouwithenjoyment。"

TheLarkBuryingHerFatherTHELARK(accordingtoanancientlegend)wascreatedbeforetheearthitself，andwhenherfatherdied，astherewasnoearth，shecouldfindnoplaceofburialforhim。Shelethimlieuninterredforfivedays，andonthesixthday，notknowingwhatelsetodo，sheburiedhiminherownhead。Hencesheobtainedhercrest，whichispopularlysaidtobeherfather"sgrave-hillock。

Youth"sfirstdutyisreverencetoparents。

TheGnatandtheBullAGNATsettledonthehornofaBull，andsattherealongtime。

Justashewasabouttoflyoff，hemadeabuzzingnoise，andinquiredoftheBullifhewouldlikehimtogo。TheBullreplied，"Ididnotknowyouhadcome，andIshallnotmissyouwhenyougoaway。"

Somemenareofmoreconsequenceintheirowneyesthanintheeyesoftheirneighbors。

TheBitchandHerWhelpsABITCH，readytowhelp，earnestlybeggedashepherdforaplacewhereshemightlitter。Whenherrequestwasgranted，shebesoughtpermissiontorearherpuppiesinthesamespot。Theshepherdagainconsented。ButatlasttheBitch，protectedbythebodyguardofherWhelps，whohadnowgrownupandwereabletodefendthemselves，assertedherexclusiverighttotheplaceandwouldnotpermittheshepherdtoapproach。

TheDogsandtheHidesSOMEDOGSfamishedwithhungersawanumberofcowhidessteepinginariver。Notbeingabletoreachthem，theyagreedtodrinkuptheriver，butithappenedthattheyburstthemselveswithdrinkinglongbeforetheyreachedthehides。

Attemptnotimpossibilities。

TheShepherdandtheSheepASHEPHERDdrivinghisSheeptoawood，sawanoakofunusualsizefullofacorns，andspreadinghiscloakunderthebranches，heclimbedupintothetreeandshookthemdown。TheSheepeatingtheacornsinadvertentlyfrayedandtorethecloak。WhentheShepherdcamedownandsawwhatwasdone，hesaid，"Oyoumostungratefulcreatures!Youprovidewooltomakegarmentsforallothermen，butyoudestroytheclothesofhimwhofeedsyou。"

TheGrasshopperandtheOwlANOWL，accustomedtofeedatnightandtosleepduringtheday，wasgreatlydisturbedbythenoiseofaGrasshopperandearnestlybesoughthertostopchirping。TheGrasshopperrefusedtodesist，andchirpedlouderandlouderthemoretheOwlentreated。

Whenshesawthatshecouldgetnoredressandthatherwordsweredespised，theOwlattackedthechattererbyastratagem。

"SinceIcannotsleep，"shesaid，"onaccountofyoursongwhich，believeme，issweetasthelyreofApollo，IshallindulgemyselfindrinkingsomenectarwhichPallaslatelygaveme。Ifyoudonotdislikeit，cometomeandwewilldrinkittogether。"

TheGrasshopper，whowasthirsty，andpleasedwiththepraiseofhervoice，eagerlyflewup。TheOwlcameforthfromherhollow，seizedher，andputhertodeath。

TheMonkeyandtheCamelTHEBEASTSoftheforestgaveasplendidentertainmentatwhichtheMonkeystoodupanddanced。Havingvastlydelightedtheassembly，hesatdownamidstuniversalapplause。TheCamel，enviousofthepraisesbestowedontheMonkeyanddesiringtodiverttohimselfthefavoroftheguests，proposedtostandupinhisturnanddancefortheiramusement。HemovedaboutinsoutterlyridiculousamannerthattheBeasts，inafitofindignation，setuponhimwithclubsanddrovehimoutoftheassembly。

Itisabsurdtoapeourbetters。

ThePeasantandtheApple-TreeAPEASANThadinhisgardenanApple-Treewhichborenofruitbutonlyservedasaharborforthesparrowsandgrasshoppers。Heresolvedtocutitdown，andtakinghisaxeinhishand，madeaboldstrokeatitsroots。Thegrasshoppersandsparrowsentreatedhimnottocutdownthetreethatshelteredthem，buttospareit，andtheywouldsingtohimandlightenhislabors。

Hepaidnoattentiontotheirrequest，butgavethetreeasecondandathirdblowwithhisaxe。Whenhereachedthehollowofthetree，hefoundahivefullofhoney。Havingtastedthehoneycomb，hethrewdownhisaxe，andlookingonthetreeassacred，tookgreatcareofit。

Self-interestalonemovessomemen。

TheTwoSoldiersandtheRobberTWOSOLDIERStravelingtogetherweresetuponbyaRobber。Theonefledaway；theotherstoodhisgroundanddefendedhimselfwithhisstoutrighthand。TheRobberbeingslain，thetimidcompanionranupanddrewhissword，andthen，throwingbackhistravelingcloaksaid，"I"llathim，andI"lltakecareheshalllearnwhomhehasattacked。"Onthis，hewhohadfoughtwiththeRobbermadeanswer，"Ionlywishthatyouhadhelpedmejustnow，evenifithadbeenonlywiththosewords，forIshouldhavebeenthemoreencouraged，believingthemtobetrue；butnowputupyourswordinitssheathandholdyourequallyuselesstongue，tillyoucandeceiveotherswhodonotknowyou。I，indeed，whohaveexperiencedwithwhatspeedyourunaway，knowrightwellthatnodependencecanbeplacedonyourvalor。"

TheTreesUndertheProtectionoftheGodsTHEGODS，accordingtoanancientlegend，madechoiceofcertaintreestobeundertheirspecialprotection。Jupiterchosetheoak，Venusthemyrtle，Apollothelaurel，Cybelethepine，andHerculesthepoplar。Minerva，wonderingwhytheyhadpreferredtreesnotyieldingfruit，inquiredthereasonfortheirchoice。

Jupiterreplied，"Itislestweshouldseemtocovetthehonorforthefruit。"ButsaidMinerva，"Letanyonesaywhathewilltheoliveismoredeartomeonaccountofitsfruit。"ThensaidJupiter，"Mydaughter，youarerightlycalledwise；forunlesswhatwedoisuseful，thegloryofitisvain。"

TheMotherandtheWolfAFAMISHEDWOLFwasprowlingaboutinthemorninginsearchoffood。Ashepassedthedoorofacottagebuiltintheforest，heheardaMothersaytoherchild，"Bequiet，orIwillthrowyououtofthewindow，andtheWolfshalleatyou。"TheWolfsatalldaywaitingatthedoor。Intheeveningheheardthesamewomanfondlingherchildandsaying:"Youarequietnow，andiftheWolfshouldcome，wewillkillhim。"TheWolf，hearingthesewords，wenthome，gaspingwithcoldandhunger。Whenhereachedhisden，MistressWolfinquiredofhimwhyhereturnedweariedandsupperless，socontrarytohiswont。Hereplied:"Why，forsooth!

useIgavecredencetothewordsofawoman!"

TheAssandtheHorseANASSbesoughtaHorsetosparehimasmallportionofhisfeed。

"Yes，"saidtheHorse；"ifanyremainsoutofwhatIamnoweatingIwillgiveityouforthesakeofmyownsuperiordignity，andifyouwillcomewhenIreachmyownstallintheevening，Iwillgiveyoualittlesackfullofbarley。"TheAssreplied，"Thankyou。ButIcan"tthinkthatyou，whorefusemealittlematternow。willbyandbyconferonmeagreaterbenefit。"

TruthandtheTravelerAWAYFARINGMAN，travelinginthedesert，metawomanstandingaloneandterriblydejected。Heinquiredofher，"Whoartthou？"

"MynameisTruth，"shereplied。"Andforwhatcause，"heasked，"haveyouleftthecitytodwellalonehereinthewilderness？"

Shemadeanswer，"Becauseinformertimes，falsehoodwaswithfew，butisnowwithallmen。"

TheManslayerAMANcommittedamurder，andwaspursuedbytherelationsofthemanwhomhemurdered。OnhisreachingtheriverNilehesawaLiononitsbankandbeingfearfullyafraid，climbedupatree。

Hefoundaserpentintheupperbranchesofthetree，andagainbeinggreatlyalarmed，hethrewhimselfintotheriver，whereacrocodilecaughthimandatehim。Thustheearth，theair，andthewateralikerefusedsheltertoamurderer。

TheLionandtheFoxAFOXenteredintopartnershipwithaLiononthepretenseofbecominghisservant。Eachundertookhisproperdutyinaccordancewithhisownnatureandpowers。TheFoxdiscoveredandpointedouttheprey；theLionsprangonitandseizedit。

TheFoxsoonbecamejealousoftheLioncarryingofftheLion"sshare，andsaidthathewouldnolongerfindouttheprey，butwouldcaptureitonhisownaccount。Thenextdayheattemptedtosnatchalambfromthefold，buthehimselffellpreytothehuntsmenandhounds。

TheLionandtheEagleANEAGLEstayedhisflightandentreatedaLiontomakeanalliancewithhimtotheirmutualadvantage。TheLionreplied，"Ihavenoobjection，butyoumustexcusemeforrequiringyoutofindsuretyforyourgoodfaith，forhowcanItrustanyoneasafriendwhoisabletoflyawayfromhisbargainwheneverhepleases？"

Trybeforeyoutrust。

TheHenandtheSwallowAHENfindingtheeggsofaviperandcarefullykeepingthemwarm，nourishedthemintolife。ASwallow，observingwhatshehaddone，said，"Yousillycreature!whyhaveyouhatchedtheseviperswhich，whentheyshallhavegrown，willinflictinjuryonall，beginningwithyourself？"

TheBuffoonandtheCountrymanARICHNOBLEMANonceopenedthetheaterswithoutchargetothepeople，andgaveapublicnoticethathewouldhandsomelyrewardanypersonwhoinventedanewamusementfortheoccasion。

Variouspublicperformerscontendedfortheprize。AmongthemcameaBuffoonwellknownamongthepopulaceforhisjokes，andsaidthathehadakindofentertainmentwhichhadneverbeenbroughtoutonanystagebefore。Thisreportbeingspreadaboutmadeagreatstir，andthetheaterwascrowdedineverypart。

TheBuffoonappearedaloneupontheplatform，withoutanyapparatusorconfederates，andtheverysenseofexpectationcausedanintensesilence。Hesuddenlybenthisheadtowardshisbosomandimitatedthesqueakingofalittlepigsoadmirablywithhisvoicethattheaudiencedeclaredhehadaporkerunderhiscloak，anddemandedthatitshouldbeshakenout。Whenthatwasdoneandnothingwasfound，theycheeredtheactor，andloadedhimwiththeloudestapplause。ACountrymaninthecrowd，observingallthathaspassed，said，"Sohelpme，Hercules，heshallnotbeatmeatthattrick!"andatonceproclaimedthathewoulddothesamethingonthenextday，thoughinamuchmorenaturalway。Onthemorrowastilllargercrowdassembledinthetheater，butnowpartialityfortheirfavoriteactorverygenerallyprevailed，andtheaudiencecamerathertoridiculetheCountrymanthantoseethespectacle。Bothoftheperformersappearedonthestage。TheBuffoongruntedandsqueakedawayfirst，andobtained，asontheprecedingday，theapplauseandcheersofthespectators。NexttheCountrymancommenced，andpretendingthatheconcealedalittlepigbeneathhisclothes(whichintruthhedid，butnotsuspectedbytheaudience)

contrivedtotakeholdofandtopullhisearcausingthepigtosqueak。TheCrowd，however，criedoutwithoneconsentthattheBuffoonhadgivenafarmoreexactimitation，andclamoredfortheCountrymantobekickedoutofthetheater。Onthistherusticproducedthelittlepigfromhiscloakandshowedbythemostpositiveproofthegreatnessoftheirmistake。"Lookhere，"

hesaid，"thisshowswhatsortofjudgesyouare。"

TheCrowandtheSerpentACROWingreatwantoffoodsawaSerpentasleepinasunnynook，andflyingdown，greedilyseizedhim。TheSerpent，turningabout，bittheCrowwithamortalwound。Intheagonyofdeath，thebirdexclaimed:"Ounhappyme!whohavefoundinthatwhichI

deemedahappywindfallthesourceofmydestruction。"

TheHunterandtheHorsemanACERTAINHUNTER，havingsnaredahare，placedituponhisshouldersandsetouthomewards。Onhiswayhemetamanonhorsebackwhobeggedthehareofhim，underthepretenseofpurchasingit。However，whentheHorsemangotthehare，herodeoffasfastashecould。TheHunterranafterhim，asifhewassureofovertakinghim，buttheHorsemanincreasedmoreandmorethedistancebetweenthem。TheHunter，sorelyagainsthiswill，calledouttohimandsaid，"Getalongwithyou!forIwillnowmakeyouapresentofthehare。"

TheKing"sSonandthePaintedLionAKING，whoseonlysonwasfondofmartialexercises，hadadreaminwhichhewaswarnedthathissonwouldbekilledbyalion。

Afraidthedreamshouldprovetrue，hebuiltforhissonapleasantpalaceandadorneditswallsforhisamusementwithallkindsoflife-sizedanimals，amongwhichwasthepictureofalion。WhentheyoungPrincesawthis，hisgriefatbeingthusconfinedburstoutafresh，and，standingnearthelion，hesaid:

"Oyoumostdetestableofanimals!throughalyingdreamofmyfather"s，whichhesawinhissleep，IamshutuponyouraccountinthispalaceasifIhadbeenagirl:whatshallInowdotoyou？"Withthesewordshestretchedouthishandstowardathorn-tree，meaningtocutastickfromitsbranchessothathemightbeatthelion。Butoneofthetree"spricklespiercedhisfingerandcausedgreatpainandinflammation，sothattheyoungPrincefelldowninafaintingfit。Aviolentfeversuddenlysetin，fromwhichhediednotmanydayslater。

Wehadbetterbearourtroublesbravelythantrytoescapethem。

TheCatandVenusACATfellinlovewithahandsomeyoungman，andentreatedVenustochangeherintotheformofawoman。Venusconsentedtoherrequestandtransformedherintoabeautifuldamsel，sothattheyouthsawherandlovedher，andtookherhomeashisbride。

Whilethetwowererecliningintheirchamber，VenuswishingtodiscoveriftheCatinherchangeofshapehadalsoalteredherhabitsoflife，letdownamouseinthemiddleoftheroom。TheCat，quiteforgettingherpresentcondition，startedupfromthecouchandpursuedthemouse，wishingtoeatit。Venuswasmuchdisappointedandagaincausedhertoreturntoherformershape。

Natureexceedsnurture。

TheShe-GoatsandTheirBeardsTHESHE-GOATShavingobtainedabeardbyrequesttoJupiter，theHe-Goatsweresorelydispleasedandmadecomplaintthatthefemalesequaledthemindignity。"Allowthem，"saidJupiter，"toenjoyanemptyhonorandtoassumethebadgeofyournoblersex，solongastheyarenotyourequalsinstrengthorcourage。"

Itmatterslittleifthosewhoareinferiortousinmeritshouldbelikeusinoutsideappearances。

TheCamelandtheArabANARABCAMEL-DRIVER，aftercompletingtheloadingofhisCamel，askedhimwhichhewouldlikebest，togouphillordown。Thepoorbeastreplied，notwithoutatouchofreason:"Whydoyouaskme？Isitthatthelevelwaythroughthedesertisclosed？"

TheMiller，HisSon，andTheirAssAMILLERandhissonweredrivingtheirAsstoaneighboringfairtosellhim。Theyhadnotgonefarwhentheymetwithatroopofwomencollectedroundawell，talkingandlaughing。"Lookthere，"criedoneofthem，"didyoueverseesuchfellows，tobetrudgingalongtheroadonfootwhentheymightride？"Theoldmanhearingthis，quicklymadehissonmounttheAss，andcontinuedtowalkalongmerrilybyhisside。Presentlytheycameuptoagroupofoldmeninearnestdebate。"There，"saidoneofthem，"itproveswhatIwasa-saying。Whatrespectisshowntooldageinthesedays？Doyouseethatidleladridingwhilehisoldfatherhastowalk？Getdown，youyoungscapegrace，andlettheoldmanresthiswearylimbs。"Uponthistheoldmanmadehissondismount，andgotuphimself。Inthismannertheyhadnotproceededfarwhentheymetacompanyofwomenandchildren:

"Why，youlazyoldfellow，"criedseveraltonguesatonce，"howcanyourideuponthebeast，whilethatpoorlittleladtherecanhardlykeeppacebythesideofyou？"Thegood-naturedMillerimmediatelytookuphissonbehindhim。Theyhadnowalmostreachedthetown。"Pray，honestfriend，"saidacitizen，"isthatAssyourown？""Yes，"repliedtheoldman。"O，onewouldnothavethoughtso，"saidtheother，"bythewayyouloadhim。

Why，youtwofellowsarebetterabletocarrythepoorbeastthanheyou。""Anythingtopleaseyou，"saidtheoldman；"wecanbuttry。"So，alightingwithhisson，theytiedthelegsoftheAsstogetherandwiththehelpofapoleendeavoredtocarryhimontheirshouldersoverabridgeneartheentrancetothetown。

Thisentertainingsightbroughtthepeopleincrowdstolaughatit，tilltheAss，notlikingthenoisenorthestrangehandlingthathewassubjectto，brokethecordsthatboundhimand，tumblingoffthepole，fellintotheriver。Uponthis，theoldman，vexedandashamed，madethebestofhiswayhomeagain，convincedthatbyendeavoringtopleaseeverybodyhehadpleasednobody，andlosthisAssinthebargain。

TheCrowandtheSheepATROUBLESOMECROWseatedherselfonthebackofaSheep。TheSheep，muchagainsthiswill，carriedherbackwardandforwardforalongtime，andatlastsaid，"Ifyouhadtreatedadoginthisway，youwouldhavehadyourdesertsfromhissharpteeth。"

TothistheCrowreplied，"Idespisetheweakandyieldtothestrong。IknowwhomImaybullyandwhomImustflatter；andI

thusprolongmylifetoagoodoldage。"

TheFoxandtheBrambleAFOXwasmountingahedgewhenhelosthisfootingandcaughtholdofaBrambletosavehimself。Havingprickedandgrievouslytomthesolesofhisfeet，heaccusedtheBramblebecause，whenhehadfledtoherforassistance，shehadusedhimworsethanthehedgeitself。TheBramble，interruptinghim，said，"Butyoureallymusthavebeenoutofyoursensestofastenyourselfonme，whoammyselfalwaysaccustomedtofastenuponothers。"

TheWolfandtheLionAWOLF，havingstolenalambfromafold，wascarryinghimofftohislair。ALionmethiminthepath，andseizingthelamb，tookitfromhim。Standingatasafedistance，theWolfexclaimed，"Youhaveunrighteouslytakenthatwhichwasminefromme!"TowhichtheLionjeeringlyreplied，"Itwasrighteouslyyours，eh？

Thegiftofafriend？"

TheDogandtheOysterADOG，usedtoeatingeggs，sawanOysterand，openinghismouthtoitswidestextent，swalloweditdownwiththeutmostrelish，supposingittobeanegg。Soonafterwardssufferinggreatpaininhisstomach，hesaid，"Ideserveallthistorment，formyfollyinthinkingthateverythingroundmustbeanegg。"

Theywhoactwithoutsufficientthought，willoftenfallintounsuspecteddanger。

TheAntandtheDoveANANTwenttothebankofarivertoquenchitsthirst，andbeingcarriedawaybytherushofthestream，wasonthepointofdrowning。ADovesittingonatreeoverhangingthewaterpluckedaleafandletitfallintothestreamclosetoher。TheAntclimbedontoitandfloatedinsafetytothebank。Shortlyafterwardsabirdcatchercameandstoodunderthetree，andlaidhislime-twigsfortheDove，whichsatinthebranches。TheAnt，perceivinghisdesign，stunghiminthefoot。Inpainthebirdcatcherthrewdownthetwigs，andthenoisemadetheDovetakewing。

ThePartridgeandtheFowlerAFOWLERcaughtaPartridgeandwasabouttokillit。ThePartridgeearnestlybeggedhimtosparehislife，saying，"Pray，master，permitmetoliveandIwillenticemanyPartridgestoyouinrecompenseforyourmercytome。"TheFowlerreplied，"I

shallnowwithlessscrupletakeyourlife，becauseyouarewillingtosaveitatthecostofbetrayingyourfriendsandrelations。"

TheFleaandtheManAMAN，verymuchannoyedwithaFlea，caughthimatlast，andsaid，"Whoareyouwhodaretofeedonmylimbs，andtocostmesomuchtroubleincatchingyou？"TheFleareplied，"Omydearsir，praysparemylife，anddestroymenot，forIcannotpossiblydoyoumuchharm。"TheMan，laughing，replied，"Nowyoushallcertainlydiebymineownhands，fornoevil，whetheritbesmallorlarge，oughttobetolerated。"

TheThievesandtheCockSOMETHIEVESbrokeintoahouseandfoundnothingbutaCock，whomtheystole，andgotoffasfastastheycould。UponarrivingathometheypreparedtokilltheCock，whothuspleadedforhislife:"Prayspareme；Iamveryserviceabletomen。I

wakethemupinthenighttotheirwork。""Thatistheveryreasonwhywemustthemorekillyou，"theyreplied；"forwhenyouwakeyourneighbors，youentirelyputanendtoourbusiness。"

Thesafeguardsofvirtuearehatefultothosewithevilintentions。

TheDogandtheCookARICHMANgaveagreatfeast，towhichheinvitedmanyfriendsandacquaintances。HisDogavailedhimselfoftheoccasiontoinviteastrangerDog，afriendofhis，saying，"Mymastergivesafeast，andthereisalwaysmuchfoodremaining；comeandsupwithmetonight。"TheDogthusinvitedwentatthehourappointed，andseeingthepreparationsforsograndanentertainment，saidinthejoyofhisheart，"HowgladIamthatIcame!Idonotoftengetsuchachanceasthis。Iwilltakecareandeatenoughtolastmebothtodayandtomorrow。"Whilehewascongratulatinghimselfandwagginghistailtoconveyhispleasuretohisfriend，theCooksawhimmovingaboutamonghisdishesand，seizinghimbyhisforeandhindpaws，bundledhimwithoutceremonyoutofthewindow。Hefellwithforceuponthegroundandlimpedaway，howlingdreadfully。Hisyellingsoonattractedotherstreetdogs，whocameuptohimandinquiredhowhehadenjoyedhissupper。Hereplied，"Why，totellyouthetruth，IdranksomuchwinethatIremembernothing。IdonotknowhowIgotoutofthehouse。"

TheTravelersandthePlane-TreeTWOTRAVELERS，wornoutbytheheatofthesummer"ssun，laidthemselvesdownatnoonunderthewidespreadingbranchesofaPlane-Tree。Astheyrestedunderitsshade，oneoftheTravelerssaidtotheother，"WhatasingularlyuselesstreeisthePlane!

Itbearsnofruit，andisnotoftheleastservicetoman。"ThePlane-Tree，interruptinghim，said，"Youungratefulfellows!Doyou，whilereceivingbenefitsfrommeandrestingundermyshade，daretodescribemeasuseless，andunprofitable？"

Somemenunderratetheirbestblessings。

TheHaresandtheFrogsTHEHARES，oppressedbytheirownexceedingtimidityandwearyoftheperpetualalarmtowhichtheywereexposed，withoneaccorddeterminedtoputanendtothemselvesandtheirtroublesbyjumpingfromaloftyprecipiceintoadeeplakebelow。Astheyscamperedoffinlargenumberstocarryouttheirresolve，theFrogslyingonthebanksofthelakeheardthenoiseoftheirfeetandrushedhelter-skeltertothedeepwaterforsafety。OnseeingtherapiddisappearanceoftheFrogs，oneoftheHarescriedouttohiscompanions:"Stay，myfriends，donotdoasyouintended；foryounowseethattherearecreatureswhoarestillmoretimidthanourselves。"

TheLion，Jupiter，andtheElephantTHELIONweariedJupiterwithhisfrequentcomplaints。"Itistrue，OJupiter!"hesaid，"thatIamgiganticinstrength，handsomeinshape，andpowerfulinattack。Ihavejawswellprovidedwithteeth，andfeetfurnishedwithclaws，andIlorditoverallthebeastsoftheforest，andwhatadisgraceitis，thatbeingsuchasIam，Ishouldbefrightenedbythecrowingofacock。"Jupiterreplied，"Whydoyoublamemewithoutacause？I

havegivenyoualltheattributeswhichIpossessmyself，andyourcourageneverfailsyouexceptinthisoneinstance。"OnhearingthistheLiongroanedandlamentedverymuchand，reproachinghimselfwithhiscowardice，wishedthathemightdie。

Asthesethoughtspassedthroughhismind，hemetanElephantandcameclosetoholdaconversationwithhim。AfteratimeheobservedthattheElephantshookhisearsveryoften，andheinquiredwhatwasthematterandwhyhisearsmovedwithsuchatremoreverynowandthen。JustatthatmomentaGnatsettledontheheadoftheElephant，andhereplied，"Doyouseethatlittlebuzzinginsect？Ifitentersmyear，myfateissealed。Ishoulddiepresently。"TheLionsaid，"Well，sincesohugeabeastisafraidofatinygnat，Iwillnomorecomplain，norwishmyselfdead。Ifindmyself，evenasIam，betteroffthantheElephant。"

TheLambandtheWolfAWOLFpursuedaLamb，whichfledforrefugetoacertainTemple。

TheWolfcalledouttohimandsaid，"ThePriestwillslayyouinsacrifice，ifheshouldcatchyou。"OnwhichtheLambreplied，"ItwouldbebetterformetobesacrificedintheTemplethantobeeatenbyyou。"

TheRichManandtheTannerARICHMANlivednearaTanner，andnotbeingabletobeartheunpleasantsmellofthetan-yard，hepressedhisneighbortogoaway。TheTannerputoffhisdeparturefromtimetotime，sayingthathewouldleavesoon。Butashestillcontinuedtostay，astimewenton，therichmanbecameaccustomedtothesmell，andfeelingnomannerofinconvenience，madenofurthercomplaints。

TheShipwreckedManandtheSeaASHIPWRECKEDMAN，havingbeencastuponacertainshore，sleptafterhisbuffetingswiththedeep。Afterawhileheawoke，andlookingupontheSea，loadeditwithreproaches。Hearguedthatitenticedmenwiththecalmnessofitslooks，butwhenithadinducedthemtoplowitswaters，itgrewroughanddestroyedthem。TheSea，assumingtheformofawoman，repliedtohim:

"Blamenotme，mygoodsir，butthewinds，forIambymyownnatureascalmandfirmevenasthisearth；butthewindssuddenlyfallingonmecreatethesewaves，andlashmeintofury。"

TheMulesandtheRobbersTWOMULESwell-ladenwithpacksweretrudgingalong。Onecarriedpanniersfilledwithmoney，theothersacksweightedwithgrain。

TheMulecarryingthetreasurewalkedwithheaderect，asifconsciousofthevalueofhisburden，andtossedupanddowntheclear-tonedbellsfastenedtohisneck。Hiscompanionfollowedwithquietandeasystep。AllofasuddenRobbersrusheduponthemfromtheirhiding-places，andinthescufflewiththeirowners，woundedwithaswordtheMulecarryingthetreasure，whichtheygreedilyseizedwhiletakingnonoticeofthegrain。

TheMulewhichhadbeenrobbedandwoundedbewailedhismisfortunes。Theotherreplied，"IamindeedgladthatIwasthoughtsolittleof，forIhavelostnothing，noramIhurtwithanywound。"

TheViperandtheFileALION，enteringtheworkshopofasmith，soughtfromthetoolsthemeansofsatisfyinghishunger。HemoreparticularlyaddressedhimselftoaFile，andaskedofhimthefavorofameal。TheFilereplied，"Youmustindeedbeasimple-mindedfellowifyouexpecttogetanythingfromme，whoamaccustomedtotakefromeveryone，andnevertogiveanythinginreturn。"

TheLionandtheShepherdALION，roamingthroughaforest，troduponathorn。SoonafterwardhecameuptoaShepherdandfawneduponhim，wagginghistailasiftosay，"Iamasuppliant，andseekyouraid。"TheShepherdboldlyexaminedthebeast，discoveredthethorn，andplacinghispawuponhislap，pulleditout；thusrelievedofhispain，theLionreturnedintotheforest。Sometimeafter，theShepherd，beingimprisonedonafalseaccusation，wascondemned"tobecasttotheLions"asthepunishmentforhisimputedcrime。ButwhentheLionwasreleasedfromhiscage，herecognizedtheShepherdasthemanwhohealedhim，andinsteadofattackinghim，approachedandplacedhisfootuponhislap。TheKing，assoonasheheardthetale，orderedtheLiontobesetfreeagainintheforest，andtheShepherdtobepardonedandrestoredtohisfriends。

TheCamelandJupiterTHECAMEL，whenhesawtheBulladornedwithhorns，enviedhimandwishedthathehimselfcouldobtainthesamehonors。HewenttoJupiter，andbesoughthimtogivehimhorns。Jupiter，vexedathisrequestbecausehewasnotsatisfiedwithhissizeandstrengthofbody，anddesiredyetmore，notonlyrefusedtogivehimhorns，butevendeprivedhimofaportionofhisears。

ThePantherandtheShepherdsAPANTHER，bysomemischance，fellintoapit。TheShepherdsdiscoveredhim，andsomethrewsticksathimandpeltedhimwithstones，whileothers，movedwithcompassiontowardsoneabouttodieeventhoughnooneshouldhurthim，threwinsomefoodtoprolonghislife。Atnighttheyreturnedhome，notdreamingofanydanger，butsupposingthatonthemorrowtheywouldfindhimdead。ThePanther，however，whenhehadrecruitedhisfeeblestrength，freedhimselfwithasuddenboundfromthepit，andhastenedtohisdenwithrapidsteps。Afterafewdayshecameforthandslaughteredthecattle，and，killingtheShepherdswhohadattackedhim，ragedwithangryfury。Thentheywhohadsparedhislife，fearingfortheirsafety，surrenderedtohimtheirflocksandbeggedonlyfortheirlives。TothemthePanthermadethisreply:"Irememberalikethosewhosoughtmylifewithstones，andthosewhogavemefoodaside，therefore，yourfears。Ireturnasanenemyonlytothosewhoinjuredme。"

TheAssandtheChargerANASScongratulatedaHorseonbeingsoungrudginglyandcarefullyprovidedfor，whilehehimselfhadscarcelyenoughtoeatandnoteventhatwithouthardwork。Butwhenwarbrokeout，aheavilyarmedsoldiermountedtheHorse，andridinghimtothecharge，rushedintotheverymidstoftheenemy。TheHorsewaswoundedandfelldeadonthebattlefield。ThentheAss，seeingallthesethings，changedhismind，andcommiseratedtheHorse。

TheEagleandHisCaptorANEAGLEwasoncecapturedbyaman，whoimmediatelyclippedhiswingsandputhimintohispoultry-yardwiththeotherbirds，atwhichtreatmenttheEaglewasweigheddownwithgrief。Later，anotherneighborpurchasedhimandallowedhisfeatherstogrowagain。TheEagletookflight，andpouncinguponahare，broughtitatonceasanofferingtohisbenefactor。AFox，seeingthis，exclaimed，"Donotcultivatethefavorofthisman，butofyourformerowner，lestheshouldagainhuntforyouanddepriveyouasecondtimeofyourwings。"

TheBaldManandtheFlyAFLYbitthebareheadofaBaldManwho，endeavoringtodestroyit，gavehimselfaheavyslap。Escaping，theFlysaidmockingly，"Youwhohavewishedtorevenge，evenwithdeath，thePrickofatinyinsect，seewhatyouhavedonetoyourselftoaddinsulttoinjury？"TheBaldManreplied，"Icaneasilymakepeacewithmyself，becauseIknowtherewasnointentiontohurt。Butyou，anill-favoredandcontemptibleinsectwhodelightsinsuckinghumanblood，IwishthatIcouldhavekilledyouevenifIhadincurredaheavierpenalty。"

TheOlive-TreeandtheFig-TreeTHEOLIVE-TREEridiculedtheFig-Treebecause，whileshewasgreenalltheyearround，theFig-Treechangeditsleaveswiththeseasons。Ashowerofsnowfelluponthem，and，findingtheOlivefulloffoliage，itsettleduponitsbranchesandbrokethemdownwithitsweight，atoncedespoilingitofitsbeautyandkillingthetree。ButfindingtheFig-Treedenudedofleaves，thesnowfellthroughtotheground，anddidnotinjureitatall。

TheEagleandtheKiteANEAGLE，overwhelmedwithsorrow，satuponthebranchesofatreeincompanywithaKite。"Why，"saidtheKite，"doIseeyouwithsucharuefullook？""Iseek，"shereplied，"amatesuitableforme，andamnotabletofindone。""Takeme，"returnedtheKite，"Iammuchstrongerthanyouare。""Why，areyouabletosecurethemeansoflivingbyyourplunder？""Well，Ihaveoftencaughtandcarriedawayanostrichinmytalons。"TheEagle，persuadedbythesewords，acceptedhimashermate。Shortlyafterthenuptials，theEaglesaid，"Flyoffandbringmebacktheostrichyoupromisedme。"TheKite，soaringaloftintotheair，broughtbacktheshabbiestpossiblemouse，stinkingfromthelengthoftimeithadlainaboutthefields。"Isthis，"saidtheEagle，"thefaithfulfulfillmentofyourpromisetome？"TheKitereplied，"ThatImightattainyourroyalhand，thereisnothingthatIwouldnothavepromised，howevermuchIknewthatImustfailintheperformance。"

TheAssandHisDriverANASS，beingdrivenalongahighroad，suddenlystartedoffandboltedtothebrinkofadeepprecipice。Whilehewasintheactofthrowinghimselfover，hisownerseizedhimbythetail，endeavoringtopullhimback。WhentheAsspersistedinhiseffort，themanlethimgoandsaid，"Conquer，butconquertoyourcost。"

TheThrushandtheFowlerATHRUSHwasfeedingonamyrtle-treeanddidnotmovefromitbecauseitsberriesweresodelicious。AFowlerobservedherstayingsolonginonespot，andhavingwellbird-limedhisreeds，caughther。TheThrush，beingatthepointofdeath，exclaimed，"OfoolishcreaturethatIam!ForthesakeofalittlepleasantfoodIhavedeprivedmyselfofmylife。"

TheRoseandtheAmaranthANAMARANTHplantedinagardennearaRose-Tree，thusaddressedit:"WhatalovelyfloweristheRose，afavoritealikewithGodsandwithmen。Ienvyyouyourbeautyandyourperfume。"TheRosereplied，"Iindeed，dearAmaranth，flourishbutforabriefseason!Ifnocruelhandpluckmefrommystem，yetImustperishbyanearlydoom。Butthouartimmortalanddostneverfade，butbloomestforeverinrenewedyouth。"

TheFrogs"ComplaintAgainsttheSunONCEUPONATIME，whentheSunannouncedhisintentiontotakeawife，theFrogslifteduptheirvoicesinclamortothesky。

Jupiter，disturbedbythenoiseoftheircroaking，inquiredthecauseoftheircomplaint。Oneofthemsaid，"TheSun，nowwhileheissingle，parchesupthemarsh，andcompelsustodiemiserablyinouraridhomes。Whatwillbeourfutureconditionifheshouldbegetothersuns？"