Fables 201 to 220

A FOX and a Monkey were traveling together on the same road. As they journeyed, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. “All these monuments which you see,” said the Monkey, “are erected in honour of my ancestors, who were in their day freedmen and citizens of great renown.” The Fox replied, “You have chosen a most appropriate subject for your falsehoods, as I am sure none of your ancestors will be able to contradict you.”

A Fox and a Monkey were traveling together along the same road. On their journey, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. “All these monuments you see,” said the Monkey, “were built to honor my ancestors. In their day, my ancestors were freed slaves and famous citizens.” The Fox replied, “You have chosen the perfect subject for your lies, since I’m sure none of your ancestors can contradict you.”

A false tale often betrays itself.

A false story often gives itself away.

A MAN had a Wife who made herself hated by all the members of his household. Wishing to find out if she had the same effect on the persons in her father’s house, he made some excuse to send her home on a visit to her father. After a short time she returned, and when he inquired how she had got on and how the servants had treated her, she replied, “The herdsmen and shepherds cast on me looks of aversion.” He said, “O Wife, if you were disliked by those who go out early in the morning with their flocks and return late in the evening, what must have been felt towards you by those with whom you passed the whole day!”

A man had a wife who made everyone in his household hate her. He wanted to find out if she had the same effect on everyone in her father’s house. So he made an excuse to send her to visit her father. She returned after a short time. He asked how her visit had gone and how the servants had treated her. She replied, “The herdsmen and shepherds gave me looks of dislike.” He said, “My wife, if even the men who leave early with their flocks and return late disliked you, how must those who spent the whole day with you have felt!”

Straws show how the wind blows.

Straws show which way the wind is blowing.

A HORSE, Ox, and Dog, driven to great straits by the cold, sought shelter and protection from Man. He received them kindly, lighted a fire, and warmed them. He let the Horse make free with his oats, gave the Ox an abundance of hay, and fed the Dog with meat from his own table. Grateful for these favours, the animals determined to repay him to the best of their ability. For this purpose, they divided the term of his life between them, and each endowed one portion of it with the qualities which chiefly characterized himself. The Horse chose his earliest years and gave them his own attributes: hence every man is in his youth impetuous, headstrong, and obstinate in maintaining his own opinion. The Ox took under his patronage the next term of life, and therefore man in his middle age is fond of work, devoted to labor, and resolute to amass wealth and to husband his resources. The end of life was reserved for the Dog, wherefore the old man is often snappish, irritable, hard to please, and selfish, tolerant only of his own household, but averse to strangers and to all who do not administer to his comfort or to his necessities.

A Horse, Ox, and Dog were suffering badly from the cold and sought shelter and protection from Man. He welcomed them kindly, lit a fire, and warmed them. He let the Horse eat freely from his oats and gave the Ox plenty of hay. He also fed the Dog meat from his own table. Grateful for his kindness, the animals decided to repay him as best they could. To do so, they divided his lifespan into three parts. Each animal gave one part the qualities that most defined that animal. The Horse chose Man’s early years and gave them his own qualities. That is why every man in his youth is impulsive, headstrong, and stubborn about his opinions. The Ox took charge of the next stage of life. That is why a man in middle age enjoys work, devotes himself to labor, and is determined to build wealth. He is also determined to manage his resources carefully. The last stage of life was left to the Dog. That is why an old man is often snappish, irritable, hard to please, and selfish. He tolerates only his own household. He dislikes strangers and anyone who does not provide for his comfort or needs.

A THIEF came in the night to break into a house. He brought with him several slices of meat in order to pacify the Housedog, so that he would not alarm his master by barking. As the Thief threw him the pieces of meat, the Dog said, “If you think to stop my mouth, you will be greatly mistaken. This sudden kindness at your hands will only make me more watchful, lest under these unexpected favours to myself, you have some private ends to accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master’s injury.”

A Thief came at night to break into a house. He brought several slices of meat to keep the Housedog quiet, so the dog would not alert his master by barking. As the Thief tossed him the meat, the Dog said, “If you think you can silence me, you are badly mistaken. Your sudden kindness will only make me more watchful. I fear these unexpected treats hide some secret plan to help yourself and harm my master.”

TWO MEN, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation: “What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?” The Lying Traveler replied, “You seem to me a most mighty king.” “And what is your estimate of those you see around me?” “These,” he made answer, “are worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies.” The Ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful Traveler thought to himself, “If so great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?” The Ape quickly turned to him. “And pray how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?” “Thou art,” he said, “a most excellent Ape, and all these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too.” The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions.

TWO MEN were traveling together. One always told the truth, and the other told nothing but lies. By chance, they came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes had made himself king. He ordered the men to be captured and brought before him. He wanted to know what people were saying about him. At the same time, he ordered all the Apes to stand in long rows on his right and left. He also ordered a throne set up for him, as was the custom among humans. When everything was ready, he ordered the two men brought before him. He greeted them by asking, “What kind of king do I seem to you, strangers?” The Lying Traveler replied, “You seem to me a very powerful king.” “And what do you think of those around me?” “These,” he answered, “are worthy companions for you, fit at least to be ambassadors and army leaders.” The Ape and his entire court were pleased with the lie. They ordered that the flatterer receive a generous gift. Then the truthful Traveler thought, “If a lie earns such a great reward, what might I receive if I tell the truth, as I always do?” The Ape quickly turned to him. “And tell me, what do you think of me and my friends here?” “You are,” he said, “an excellent Ape, and all your companions follow your example and are excellent Apes too.” The King of the Apes was furious at hearing these truths. He handed the truthful Traveler over to his companions’ teeth and claws.

WHEN A FOX who had never yet seen a Lion, fell in with him by chance for the first time in the forest, he was so frightened that he nearly died with fear. On meeting him for the second time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same extent as at first. On seeing him the third time, he so increased in boldness that he went up to him and commenced a familiar conversation with him.

A Fox had never seen a Lion before he met one by chance in the forest. He was so frightened that he nearly died of fear. When he met the Lion a second time, he was still very afraid, but less so than before. The third time he saw the Lion, he grew so bold that he approached him and started a friendly conversation.

Acquaintance softens prejudices.

Familiarity reduces prejudice.

A WEASEL, inactive from age and infirmities, was not able to catch mice as he once did. He therefore rolled himself in flour and lay down in a dark corner. A Mouse, supposing him to be food, leaped upon him, and was instantly caught and squeezed to death. Another perished in a similar manner, and then a third, and still others after them. A very old Mouse, who had escaped many a trap and snare, observed from a safe distance the trick of his crafty foe and said, “Ah! you that lie there, may you prosper just in the same proportion as you are what you pretend to be!”

A Weasel was too old and weak to catch mice as he once had. So he rolled in flour and lay down in a dark corner. A Mouse, mistaking him for food, jumped onto him and was immediately caught and squeezed to death. Another died the same way, then a third, and still more after them. A very old Mouse had escaped many traps and snares. From a safe distance, he watched his cunning enemy’s trick and said, “Ah! You lying there, may you succeed only as much as you truly are what you pretend to be!”

A BOY bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a passing traveler for help, but instead of holding out a helping hand, the man stood by unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. “Oh, sir!” cried the youth, “pray help me now and scold me afterwards.”

A boy swimming in a river was in danger of drowning. He called out to a passing traveler for help. But instead of reaching out to help, the man stood by without concern and scolded the boy for being careless. “Oh, sir!” cried the boy, “please help me now and scold me afterward.”

Counsel without help is useless.

Advice without help is useless.

THE PEACOCK made complaint to Juno that, while the nightingale pleased every ear with his song, he himself no sooner opened his mouth than he became a laughingstock to all who heard him. The Goddess, to console him, said, “But you far excel in beauty and in size. The splendor of the emerald shines in your neck and you unfold a tail gorgeous with painted plumage.” “But for what purpose have I,” said the bird, “this dumb beauty so long as I am surpassed in song?” “The lot of each,” replied Juno, “has been assigned by the will of the Fates—to thee, beauty; to the eagle, strength; to the nightingale, song; to the raven, favourable, and to the crow, unfavourable auguries. These are all contented with the endowments allotted to them.”

The peacock complained to Juno that the nightingale pleased every ear with his song. But whenever the peacock opened his mouth, everyone who heard him laughed at him. To comfort him, the goddess said, “But you far surpass the nightingale in beauty and size. Your neck shines like an emerald, and you spread a magnificent tail of brightly colored feathers.” “But what use is this beauty without a lovely voice,” said the bird, “as long as others sing better than I do?” “The Fates have decided what each creature receives,” replied Juno. “You have beauty, the eagle has strength, and the nightingale has song. The raven brings signs of good fortune, and the crow brings signs of bad fortune. All these creatures are content with the gifts they have been given.”

A WOLF followed a flock of sheep for a long time and did not attempt to injure one of them. The Shepherd at first stood on his guard against him, as against an enemy, and kept a strict watch over his movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the company of the sheep and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than as a plotter of evil against it; and when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had the opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed the greater part of the flock. When the Shepherd returned to find his flock destroyed, he exclaimed: “I have been rightly served; why did I trust my sheep to a Wolf?”

A Wolf followed a flock of sheep for a long time without trying to harm any of them. At first, the Shepherd treated him as an enemy and watched his movements closely. But day after day, the Wolf stayed with the sheep without making the slightest attempt to seize them. So the Shepherd began to see him as a protector of the flock rather than someone planning to harm them. One day, when the Shepherd had to go into the city, he left the sheep entirely in the Wolf’s care. Now that the Wolf had the chance, he attacked the sheep and killed most of the flock. When the Shepherd returned and found his flock destroyed, he cried out: “I got what I deserved. Why did I trust my sheep to a Wolf?”

THE HARES harangued the assembly, and argued that all should be equal. The Lions made this reply: “Your words, O Hares! are good; but they lack both claws and teeth such as we have.”

The Hares spoke at length to the assembly and argued that all should be equal. The Lions replied: “Your words are good, Hares, but your words lack the claws and teeth we have.”

A CERTAIN MAN made a wooden image of Mercury and offered it for sale. When no one appeared willing to buy it, in order to attract purchasers, he cried out that he had the statue to sell of a benefactor who bestowed wealth and helped to heap up riches. One of the bystanders said to him, “My good fellow, why do you sell him, being such a one as you describe, when you may yourself enjoy the good things he has to give?” “Why,” he replied, “I am in need of immediate help, and he is wont to give his good gifts very slowly.”

A man made a wooden statue of Mercury and put it up for sale. When no one seemed willing to buy the statue, he called out to attract buyers. He said he was selling a statue of a benefactor who gave people wealth and helped them build up riches. One of the bystanders said to him, “My good man, why sell him if he is as generous as you say? You could enjoy the good things he has to give yourself.” “Well,” he replied, “I need help right away, and he usually takes a long time to give his gifts.”

A NIGHTINGALE, sitting aloft upon an oak and singing according to his wont, was seen by a Hawk who, being in need of food, swooped down and seized him. The Nightingale, about to lose his life, earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted food, ought to pursue the larger birds. The Hawk, interrupting him, said: “I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let go food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing birds which are not yet even within sight.”

A Nightingale sat high in an oak tree, singing as he usually did. A Hawk who needed food spotted him, swooped down, and seized him. About to lose his life, the Nightingale desperately begged the Hawk to let him go. He said he was too small to satisfy a Hawk’s hunger. If the Hawk wanted food, he should hunt larger birds. The Hawk interrupted him and said: “I would certainly be out of my mind to let go of food already in my grasp just to chase birds that are not even in sight yet.”

A LARK had made her nest in the early spring on the young green wheat. The brood had almost grown to their full strength and attained the use of their wings and the full plumage of their feathers, when the owner of the field, looking over his ripe crop, said, “The time has come when I must ask all my neighbors to help me with my harvest.” One of the young Larks heard his speech and related it to his mother, inquiring of her to what place they should move for safety. “There is no occasion to move yet, my son,” she replied; “the man who only sends to his friends to help him with his harvest is not really in earnest.” The owner of the field came again a few days later and saw the wheat shedding the grain from excess of ripeness. He said, “I will come myself tomorrow with my laborers, and with as many reapers as I can hire, and will get in the harvest.” The Lark on hearing these words said to her brood, “It is time now to be off, my little ones, for the man is in earnest this time; he no longer trusts his friends, but will reap the field himself.”

A Lark had built her nest among the young green wheat in early spring. Her young had nearly reached full strength, learned to use their wings, and grown all their feathers. Then the field’s owner looked over his ripe crop and said, “The time has come to ask all my neighbors to help me harvest.” One of the young Larks heard him and told his mother. He asked her where they should move to be safe. “There is no need to move yet, my son,” she replied. “A man who only asks his friends to help with his harvest is not really serious.” The field’s owner returned a few days later. He saw that the wheat was so ripe that the grain was falling from it. He said, “Tomorrow I will come myself with my workers and as many harvesters as I can hire. I will bring in the harvest.” When the Lark heard these words, she said to her young, “Now it is time to leave, my little ones. The man is serious this time. He no longer relies on his friends, but will harvest the field himself.”

Self-help is the best help.

Helping yourself is the best help.

A DOG and a Cock being great friends, agreed to travel together. At nightfall they took shelter in a thick wood. The Cock flying up, perched himself on the branches of a tree, while the Dog found a bed beneath in the hollow trunk. When the morning dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed very loudly several times. A Fox heard the sound, and wishing to make a breakfast on him, came and stood under the branches, saying how earnestly he desired to make the acquaintance of the owner of so magnificent a voice. The Cock, suspecting his civilities, said: “Sir, I wish you would do me the favour of going around to the hollow trunk below me, and waking my porter, so that he may open the door and let you in.” When the Fox approached the tree, the Dog sprang out and caught him, and tore him to pieces.

A Dog and a Cock were great friends and agreed to travel together. At nightfall, they took shelter in a dense wood. The Cock flew up and perched on the branches of a tree. The Dog settled down to sleep below, inside the hollow trunk. When dawn came, the Cock crowed very loudly several times, as usual. A Fox heard the crowing and wanted to eat the Cock for breakfast. The Fox came and stood beneath the branches. He said how much he wanted to meet the owner of such a magnificent voice. The Cock was suspicious of the Fox’s polite words and said: “Sir, please go around to the hollow trunk below me and wake my doorkeeper. Then he can open the door and let you in.” When the Fox approached the tree, the Dog sprang out, caught the Fox, and tore him to pieces.

THE GEESE and the Cranes were feeding in the same meadow, when a birdcatcher came to ensnare them in his nets. The Cranes, being light of wing, fled away at his approach; while the Geese, being slower of flight and heavier in their bodies, were captured.

The Geese and the Cranes were feeding in the same meadow when a birdcatcher came to catch them in nets. The Cranes were light and quick in flight, so they flew away as he approached. But the Geese were slower in flight and had heavier bodies, so they were caught.

AN ASS feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him, and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf, coming up, inquired the cause of his lameness. The Ass replied that passing through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn. He requested that the Wolf pull it out, lest when he ate him it should injure his throat. The Wolf consented and lifted up the foot, and was giving his whole mind to the discovery of the thorn, when the Ass, with his heels, kicked his teeth into his mouth and galloped away. The Wolf, being thus fearfully mauled, said, “I am rightly served, for why did I attempt the art of healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?”

An Ass grazing in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf came up and asked why he was limping. The Ass said he had stepped on a sharp thorn while passing through a hedge. He asked the Wolf to pull the thorn out so it would not hurt the Wolf’s throat when he ate him. The Wolf agreed and lifted the Ass’s foot. While the Wolf focused all his attention on finding the thorn, the Ass kicked the Wolf’s teeth into his mouth. Then the Ass galloped away. The badly injured Wolf said, “I got what I deserved. Why did I try to practice medicine when my father taught me only the butcher’s trade?”

A MAN once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat, envying the Ass on account of his greater abundance of food, said, “How shamefully you are treated: at one time grinding in the mill, and at another carrying heavy burdens;” and he further advised him to pretend to be epileptic and fall into a ditch and so obtain rest. The Ass listened to his words, and falling into a ditch, was very much bruised. His master, sending for a leech, asked his advice. He bade him pour upon the wounds the lungs of a Goat. They at once killed the Goat, and so healed the Ass.

A man once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat envied the Ass because the Ass was given more food. The Goat said, “How badly you are treated! Sometimes you have to grind grain in the mill, and other times you have to carry heavy loads.” The Goat also advised the Ass to pretend to have an epileptic seizure and fall into a ditch to get some rest. The Ass followed the Goat’s advice, fell into a ditch, and was badly bruised. His owner sent for a doctor and asked for advice. The doctor told the owner to pour a Goat’s lungs over the wounds. They immediately killed the Goat and used his lungs to heal the Ass.

A LION, greatly desiring to capture a Bull, and yet afraid to attack him on account of his great size, resorted to a trick to ensure his destruction. He approached the Bull and said, “I have slain a fine sheep, my friend; and if you will come home and partake of him with me, I shall be delighted to have your company.” The Lion said this in the hope that, as the Bull was in the act of reclining to eat, he might attack him to advantage, and make his meal on him. The Bull, on approaching the Lion’s den, saw the huge spits and giant caldrons, and no sign whatever of the sheep, and, without saying a word, quietly took his departure. The Lion inquired why he went off so abruptly without a word of salutation to his host, who had not given him any cause for offense. “I have reasons enough,” said the Bull. “I see no indication whatever of your having slaughtered a sheep, while I do see very plainly every preparation for your dining on a bull.”

A Lion badly wanted to catch a Bull but was afraid to attack him because of his great size. So he turned to a trick to make sure he could kill the Bull. He approached the Bull and said, “I have killed a fine sheep, my friend. If you come home and share it with me, I would be delighted to have your company.” The Lion hoped to attack the Bull as he lay down to eat. That would give the Lion an advantage and let him make a meal of the Bull. As the Bull approached the Lion’s den, he saw huge roasting spits and giant cooking pots, but no sheep. Without saying a word, he quietly left. The Lion asked why he had left so suddenly without even saying goodbye to his host. The Lion had given him no reason to take offense. “I have reasons enough,” said the Bull. “I see no sign at all that you have killed a sheep. But I can see very clearly that you have everything ready to dine on a bull.”

A FOX entered the house of an actor and, rummaging through all his properties, came upon a Mask, an admirable imitation of a human head. He placed his paws on it and said, “What a beautiful head! Yet it is of no value, as it entirely lacks brains.”

A FOX entered an actor’s house and searched through all his props. He found a Mask, a skillful copy of a human head. He placed his paws on the Mask and said, “What a beautiful head! Yet it is worthless because it has no brains at all.”