Fables 161 to 180

THE OAKS presented a complaint to Jupiter, saying, “We bear for no purpose the burden of life, as of all the trees that grow we are the most continually in peril of the axe.” Jupiter made answer: “You have only to thank yourselves for the misfortunes to which you are exposed: for if you did not make such excellent pillars and posts, and prove yourselves so serviceable to the carpenters and the farmers, the axe would not so frequently be laid to your roots.”

THE OAKS complained to Jupiter, saying, “We carry the burden of life for nothing. Of all the trees that grow, we are the ones most often in danger of the axe.” Jupiter replied: “You have only yourselves to blame for the misfortunes you face. If you did not make such excellent pillars and posts and serve carpenters and farmers so well, you would not be chopped down so often.”

THE MONKEY, it is said, has two young ones at each birth. The Mother fondles one and nurtures it with the greatest affection and care, but hates and neglects the other. It happened once that the young one which was caressed and loved was smothered by the too great affection of the Mother, while the despised one was nurtured and reared in spite of the neglect to which it was exposed.

The monkey is said to have two babies at each birth. The mother cuddles one and raises it with the greatest love and care, but hates and neglects the other. Once, the mother's excessive affection smothered the baby she cuddled and loved. But the baby she despised survived and grew up despite being neglected.

The best intentions will not always ensure success.

The best intentions do not always guarantee success.

A HOUND started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying “The little one is the best runner of the two.” The Hound replied, “You do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life.”

A Hound chased a Hare out of his hiding place, but gave up after a long run. A goat herder saw him stop and mocked him, saying, “The little one is the better runner of the two.” The Hound replied, “You don’t see the difference between us. I was only running for a meal, but he was running for his life.”

A SHEPHERD penning his sheep in the fold for the night was about to shut up a wolf with them, when his Dog perceiving the wolf said, “Master, how can you expect the sheep to be safe if you admit a wolf into the fold?”

A shepherd was putting his sheep in their pen for the night. He was about to shut a wolf in with them when his Dog spotted the wolf and said, “Master, how can you expect the sheep to be safe if you let a wolf into the pen?”

THE WOODCUTTER cut down a Mountain Oak and split it in pieces, making wedges of its own branches for dividing the trunk. The Oak said with a sigh, “I do not care about the blows of the axe aimed at my roots, but I do grieve at being torn in pieces by these wedges made from my own branches.”

THE WOODCUTTER cut down a Mountain Oak and split it into pieces. He made wedges from the Oak’s own branches to split the trunk. The Oak sighed and said, “I do not mind the axe blows aimed at my roots. But I am deeply saddened to be torn apart by these wedges made from my own branches.”

Misfortunes springing from ourselves are the hardest to bear.

The troubles we bring on ourselves are the hardest to bear.

A WASP seated himself upon the head of a Snake and, striking him unceasingly with his stings, wounded him to death. The Snake, being in great torment and not knowing how to rid himself of his enemy, saw a wagon heavily laden with wood, and went and purposely placed his head under the wheels, saying, “At least my enemy and I shall perish together.”

A Wasp landed on a Snake’s head and stung him constantly, fatally wounding him. The Snake was in terrible pain and did not know how to get rid of his enemy. He saw a wagon heavily loaded with wood and deliberately put his head under its wheels. He said, “At least my enemy and I will die together.”

A PEACOCK spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, “I am robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings.” “True,” replied the Crane; “but I soar to the heights of heaven and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the dunghill.”

A Peacock spread its magnificent tail and mocked a Crane passing by, making fun of the Crane’s ash-gray feathers. “I am dressed like a king in gold and purple and all the colors of the rainbow,” said the Peacock. “But you have no color at all on your wings.” “True,” replied the Crane. “But I soar to the heights of heaven and call out to the stars. You walk below, like a rooster, among the birds on the manure heap.”

Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.

Beautiful feathers don’t make good birds.

A COTTAGER and his wife had a Hen that laid a golden egg every day. They supposed that the Hen must contain a great lump of gold in its inside, and in order to get the gold they killed it. Having done so, they found to their surprise that the Hen differed in no respect from their other hens. The foolish pair, thus hoping to become rich all at once, deprived themselves of the gain of which they were assured day by day.

A man living in a cottage and his wife had a hen that laid a golden egg every day. They thought the hen must have a large lump of gold inside, so they killed her to get the gold. To their surprise, they found that the hen was no different from their other hens. By hoping to get rich all at once, the foolish couple lost the income they were sure of every day.

AN ASS, carrying a load of wood, passed through a pond. As he was crossing through the water he lost his footing, stumbled and fell, and not being able to rise on account of his load, groaned heavily. Some Frogs frequenting the pool heard his lamentation, and said, “What would you do if you had to live here always as we do, when you make such a fuss about a mere fall into the water?”

A donkey carrying a load of wood walked through a pond. As he crossed the water, he lost his footing, stumbled, and fell. His load kept him from getting up, so he groaned loudly. Some frogs living in the pond heard his groans and said, “What would you do if you had to live here all the time, as we do? You make such a fuss about simply falling into the water!”

Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.

People often face small troubles with less courage than they face major misfortunes.

A CROW was jealous of the Raven, because he was considered a bird of good omen and always attracted the attention of men, who noted by his flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing some travelers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree, and perching herself on one of the branches, cawed as loudly as she could. The travelers turned towards the sound and wondered what it foreboded, when one of them said to his companion, “Let us proceed on our journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a crow, and her cry, you know, is no omen.”

A Crow was jealous of the Raven because people considered him a bird of good omen. He always attracted people’s attention. They watched his flight for signs of whether future events would be good or bad. Seeing some travelers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree. She perched on a branch and cawed as loudly as she could. The travelers turned toward the sound and wondered what her cry foretold. Then one said to his companion, “Let us continue our journey, my friend, because that is only a crow’s caw. Her cry, as you know, is no omen.”

Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous.

People who pretend to be someone they are not only make themselves look ridiculous.

A MAN came into a forest and asked the Trees to provide him a handle for his axe. The Trees consented to his request and gave him a young ash-tree. No sooner had the man fitted a new handle to his axe from it, than he began to use it and quickly felled with his strokes the noblest giants of the forest. An old oak, lamenting when too late the destruction of his companions, said to a neighboring cedar, “The first step has lost us all. If we had not given up the rights of the ash, we might yet have retained our own privileges and have stood for ages.”

A man came into a forest and asked the Trees to give him wood for an axe handle. The Trees agreed and gave him a young ash tree. As soon as the man fitted his axe with a handle made from the ash, he began chopping. His blows quickly brought down the forest’s grandest giants. An old oak mourned the loss of his companions, but it was too late. He said to a nearby cedar, “Our first decision has doomed us all. If we had not given up the ash’s rights, we might still have kept our own and stood for ages.”

THE WOLVES thus addressed the Sheepdogs: “Why should you, who are like us in so many things, not be entirely of one mind with us, and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in one point only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and put collars on your necks. They make you also guard their sheep, and while they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the sheep, and we will enjoy them in common, till we all are surfeited.” The Dogs listened favourably to these proposals, and, entering the den of the Wolves, they were set upon and torn to pieces.

THE WOLVES said to the Sheepdogs: “You are like us in so many ways. Why shouldn’t you agree with us completely and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in only one way. We live freely, but you bow down to men and work as their slaves. In return for your service, men beat you with whips and put collars around your necks. Men also make you guard their sheep. And while men eat the mutton, they throw you only the bones. If you take our advice, you will give us the sheep. Then we will share the sheep until we have all eaten more than enough.” The Dogs welcomed these proposals and entered the Wolves’ den, where the Wolves attacked them and tore them to pieces.

A BULL finding a lion’s cub asleep gored him to death with his horns. The Lioness came up, and bitterly lamented the death of her whelp. A wild-boar Hunter, seeing her distress, stood at a distance and said to her, “Think how many men there are who have reason to lament the loss of their children, whose deaths have been caused by you.”

A Bull found a lion’s cub asleep and gored him to death with his horns. The Lioness came up and mourned bitterly over the death of her cub. A wild-boar Hunter saw her grief. He stood at a distance and said to her, “Think how many men have reason to mourn their children because you killed them.”

A VERY SKILLFUL BOWMAN went to the mountains in search of game, but all the beasts of the forest fled at his approach. The Lion alone challenged him to combat. The Bowman immediately shot out an arrow and said to the Lion: “I send thee my messenger, that from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail thee.” The wounded Lion rushed away in great fear, and when a Fox who had seen it all happen told him to be of good courage and not to back off at the first attack he replied: “You counsel me in vain; for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide the attack of the man himself?”

A VERY SKILLFUL BOWMAN went into the mountains to hunt, but all the beasts of the forest fled as he approached. The Lion alone challenged him to a fight. The Bowman immediately shot an arrow and said to the Lion: “I am sending you my messenger. From him you can learn what I will be like when I attack you.” The wounded Lion ran away in great fear. A Fox who had seen everything told the Lion to be brave and not retreat after the first attack. The Lion replied: “Your advice is useless to me. If he sends such a terrifying messenger, how can I withstand an attack from the man himself?”

Be on guard against men who can strike from a distance.

Watch out for men who can strike from a distance.

WHEN MAN first saw the Camel, he was so frightened at his vast size that he ran away. After a time, perceiving the meekness and gentleness of the beast’s temper, he summoned courage enough to approach him. Soon afterwards, observing that he was an animal altogether deficient in spirit, he assumed such boldness as to put a bridle in his mouth, and to let a child drive him.

When Man first saw the Camel, he was so frightened by the animal’s enormous size that he ran away. After a while, he noticed how gentle and mild-tempered the Camel was, so he gathered enough courage to approach him. Soon afterward, he saw that the Camel had no spirit at all. So he grew bold enough to put a bridle in the Camel’s mouth and let a child drive him.

Use serves to overcome dread.

Familiarity helps overcome fear.

A CRAB, forsaking the seashore, chose a neighboring green meadow as its feeding ground. A Fox came across him, and being very hungry ate him up. Just as he was on the point of being eaten, the Crab said, “I well deserve my fate, for what business had I on the land, when by my nature and habits I am only adapted for the sea?”

A Crab left the seashore and chose a nearby green meadow as a place to feed. A Fox came across him and, because he was very hungry, ate the Crab. Just as the Crab was about to be eaten, he said, “I deserve my fate. What business did I have on land, when my nature and habits make me suited only to the sea?”

Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness.

Being content with our circumstances is part of happiness.

A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to fly with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal lazily replied, “Why should I, pray? Do you think it likely the conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers?” “No,” rejoined the Shepherd. “Then,” said the Ass, “as long as I carry the panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?”

A Shepherd was watching his Ass graze in a meadow when the enemy’s cries suddenly alarmed him. He urged the Ass to flee with him so that neither would be captured. But the Ass lazily replied, “Why should I? Do you think the conqueror is likely to load me with two sets of panniers?” “No,” replied the Shepherd. “Then,” said the Ass, “as long as I carry the panniers, what difference does it make whom I serve?”

In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.

When the government changes, nothing changes for the poor except the name of their master.

A FOX swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of the current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long time very much bruised, sick, and unable to move. A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him. A Hedgehog, passing by, saw his anguish and inquired if he should drive away the flies that were tormenting him. “By no means,” replied the Fox; “pray do not molest them.” “How is this?” said the Hedgehog; “do you not want to be rid of them?” “No,” returned the Fox, “for these flies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others more hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left.”

A Fox was swimming across a fast-flowing river when the current swept him into a very deep ravine. He lay there for a long time, badly bruised, sick, and unable to move. A swarm of hungry, blood-sucking flies settled on him. A Hedgehog passing by saw his suffering and asked if he should drive away the flies tormenting him. “Absolutely not,” replied the Fox. “Please leave them alone.” “Why?” asked the Hedgehog. “Don’t you want to get rid of them?” “No,” replied the Fox, “because these flies are full of blood and sting me very little. If you drive away these flies that have had their fill, hungrier ones will take their place. And those flies will drink all the blood I have left.”

A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen a double allowance of barley. From that day the Hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg.

A woman owned a Hen that laid an egg for her every day. She often wondered how she could get two eggs a day instead of one. At last, she decided to give the Hen twice as much barley to achieve her goal. From that day on, the Hen grew fat and sleek and never laid another egg.

TEE KITES of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing.

Long ago, Kites, like Swans, had the gift of song. But when the Kites heard a horse neigh, they were so enchanted by the sound that they tried to imitate it. In trying to neigh, the Kites forgot how to sing.

The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.

Wanting imagined benefits often means losing the good things we already have.