Fables 261 to 280

A BITCH, ready to whelp, earnestly begged a shepherd for a place where she might litter. When her request was granted, she besought permission to rear her puppies in the same spot. The shepherd again consented. But at last the Bitch, protected by the bodyguard of her Whelps, who had now grown up and were able to defend themselves, asserted her exclusive right to the place and would not permit the shepherd to approach.

A female dog, about to give birth, pleaded with a shepherd for a place to have her puppies. The shepherd agreed, and she begged to raise her puppies in the same place. The shepherd agreed again. But eventually, her puppies grew up and could defend themselves. With her grown puppies as bodyguards, the dog claimed the place as hers alone and refused to let the shepherd approach.

A STAG overpowered by heat came to a spring to drink. Seeing his own shadow reflected in the water, he greatly admired the size and variety of his horns, but felt angry with himself for having such slender and weak feet. While he was thus contemplating himself, a Lion appeared at the pool and crouched to spring upon him. The Stag immediately took to flight, and exerting his utmost speed, as long as the plain was smooth and open kept himself easily at a safe distance from the Lion. But entering a wood he became entangled by his horns, and the Lion quickly came up to him and caught him. When too late, he thus reproached himself: “Woe is me! How I have deceived myself! These feet which would have saved me I despised, and I gloried in these antlers which have proved my destruction.”

A STAG, overcome by the heat, came to a spring to drink. Seeing his reflection in the water, he greatly admired the size and branching shapes of his antlers. But he was angry with himself for having such thin, weak feet. While he was studying himself, a Lion appeared at the pool and crouched to leap at him. The Stag immediately ran away as fast as he could. As long as the ground was flat and open, he easily kept a safe distance from the Lion. But when he entered a wood, his antlers became tangled in the branches. The Lion quickly caught up and seized him. When it was too late, the Stag blamed himself: “How terrible! How wrong I was about myself! I despised these feet, which would have saved me. And I took pride in these antlers, which have brought about my death.”

What is most truly valuable is often underrated.

What truly matters most is often undervalued.

THE LARK (according to an ancient legend) was created before the earth itself, and when her father died, as there was no earth, she could find no place of burial for him. She let him lie uninterred for five days, and on the sixth day, not knowing what else to do, she buried him in her own head. Hence she obtained her crest, which is popularly said to be her father’s grave-hillock.

According to an ancient legend, THE LARK was created before the earth itself. When her father died, she could find no place to bury him because there was no earth. She left him unburied for five days. On the sixth day, not knowing what else to do, she buried him in her own head. That is how she got her crest, which people say is the mound over her father’s grave.

Youth’s first duty is reverence to parents.

Young people’s first duty is to honor their parents.

A GNAT settled on the horn of a Bull, and sat there a long time. Just as he was about to fly off, he made a buzzing noise, and inquired of the Bull if he would like him to go. The Bull replied, “I did not know you had come, and I shall not miss you when you go away.”

A Gnat landed on a Bull’s horn and sat there for a long time. Just as he was about to fly away, he buzzed and asked the Bull if he wanted him to leave. The Bull replied, “I didn’t know you had come, and I won’t miss you when you leave.”

Some men are of more consequence in their own eyes than in the eyes of their neighbors.

Some men think they are more important than their neighbors think they are.

THE BEASTS of the forest gave a splendid entertainment at which the Monkey stood up and danced. Having vastly delighted the assembly, he sat down amidst universal applause. The Camel, envious of the praises bestowed on the Monkey and desiring to divert to himself the favour of the guests, proposed to stand up in his turn and dance for their amusement. He moved about in so utterly ridiculous a manner that the Beasts, in a fit of indignation, set upon him with clubs and drove him out of the assembly.

The Beasts of the forest held a splendid party, where the Monkey stood up and danced. His dancing delighted the guests, and he sat down as everyone applauded. The Camel envied the praise the Monkey received and wanted to win the guests’ favor for himself. So he offered to take his turn and dance to entertain them. He moved so ridiculously that the Beasts became furious, attacked him with clubs, and drove him out of the gathering.

It is absurd to ape our betters.

It is ridiculous to imitate those who are better than us.

SOME DOGS famished with hunger saw a number of cowhides steeping in a river. Not being able to reach them, they agreed to drink up the river, but it happened that they burst themselves with drinking long before they reached the hides.

Some starving dogs saw several cowhides soaking in a river. The dogs could not reach the hides, so they agreed to drink up the river. But they drank so much that they burst long before they reached the hides.

Attempt not impossibilities.

Don't try to do the impossible.

A HALF-FAMISHED JACKDAW seated himself on a fig-tree, which had produced some fruit entirely out of season, and waited in the hope that the figs would ripen. A Fox seeing him sitting so long and learning the reason of his doing so, said to him, “You are indeed, sir, sadly deceiving yourself; you are indulging a hope strong enough to cheat you, but which will never reward you with enjoyment.”

A HALF-STARVED JACKDAW settled on a fig tree that had grown some fruit completely out of season. He waited, hoping the figs would ripen. A Fox saw him sitting there for so long and learned why he was waiting. The Fox said to him, “Sir, you are sadly fooling yourself. Your hope is strong enough to deceive you, but it will never bring you any pleasure.”

A WORKMAN, felling wood by the side of a river, let his axe drop by accident into a deep pool. Being thus deprived of the means of his livelihood, he sat down on the bank and lamented his hard fate. Mercury appeared and demanded the cause of his tears. After he told him his misfortune, Mercury plunged into the stream, and, bringing up a golden axe, inquired if that were the one he had lost. On his saying that it was not his, Mercury disappeared beneath the water a second time, returned with a silver axe in his hand, and again asked the Workman if it were his. When the Workman said it was not, he dived into the pool for the third time and brought up the axe that had been lost. The Workman claimed it and expressed his joy at its recovery. Mercury, pleased with his honesty, gave him the golden and silver axes in addition to his own. The Workman, on his return to his house, related to his companions all that had happened. One of them at once resolved to try and secure the same good fortune for himself. He ran to the river and threw his axe on purpose into the pool at the same place, and sat down on the bank to weep. Mercury appeared to him just as he hoped he would; and having learned the cause of his grief, plunged into the stream and brought up a golden axe, inquiring if he had lost it. The Workman seized it greedily, and declared that truly it was the very same axe that he had lost. Mercury, displeased at his knavery, not only took away the golden axe, but refused to recover for him the axe he had thrown into the pool.

A workman was cutting wood beside a river when he accidentally dropped his axe into a deep pool. Without his axe, he could no longer earn a living. So he sat down on the bank and cried over his bad luck. Mercury appeared and asked why he was crying. After the workman explained what had happened, Mercury dived into the river and brought up a golden axe. He asked the workman if this was the axe he had lost. When the workman said the golden axe was not his, Mercury went underwater again and returned with a silver axe. He again asked the workman if the axe was his. When the workman said no, Mercury dived into the pool a third time and brought up the lost axe. The workman said this was his axe and expressed his joy at getting it back. Pleased with his honesty, Mercury gave him the golden and silver axes as well as his own. When the workman returned home, he told his companions everything that had happened. One of them immediately decided to try to get the same good fortune for himself. He ran to the river and deliberately threw his axe into the pool at the same spot. Then he sat down on the bank and cried. Mercury appeared, just as the man had hoped. After learning why the man was crying, Mercury dived into the river and brought up a golden axe. He asked the man if he had lost this axe. The man grabbed the golden axe greedily and declared that it was indeed the very axe he had lost. Displeased with the man's dishonesty, Mercury not only took away the golden axe. He also refused to retrieve the axe the man had thrown into the pool.

A PEASANT had in his garden an Apple-Tree which bore no fruit but only served as a harbor for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and taking his axe in his hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labours. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his axe. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his axe, and looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it.

A farmer had an apple tree in his garden that bore no fruit and only sheltered sparrows and grasshoppers. He decided to cut down the tree. Taking his axe, he struck hard at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows begged him to spare the tree that sheltered them. In return, they would sing to him and make his work easier. He ignored their plea and struck the tree a second and third time. When he reached a hollow inside the tree, he found a hive full of honey. After tasting the honeycomb, he threw down his axe. He now considered the tree sacred and took great care of it.

Self-interest alone moves some men.

Some people are motivated only by self-interest.

TWO SOLDIERS traveling together were set upon by a Robber. The one fled away; the other stood his ground and defended himself with his stout right hand. The Robber being slain, the timid companion ran up and drew his sword, and then, throwing back his traveling cloak said, “I’ll at him, and I’ll take care he shall learn whom he has attacked.” On this, he who had fought with the Robber made answer, “I only wish that you had helped me just now, even if it had been only with those words, for I should have been the more encouraged, believing them to be true; but now put up your sword in its sheath and hold your equally useless tongue, till you can deceive others who do not know you. I, indeed, who have experienced with what speed you run away, know right well that no dependence can be placed on your valor.”

TWO SOLDIERS traveling together were attacked by a Robber. One ran away. The other stood his ground and defended himself with his strong right hand. Once the Robber was dead, the cowardly companion ran back and drew his sword. Then he threw back his traveling cloak and said, “I’ll go at him! I’ll make sure he learns who he has attacked.” The soldier who had fought the Robber replied, “I only wish you had helped me just now, even with those words alone. I would have felt braver, believing you meant them. But now put your sword back in its sheath and keep your equally useless tongue quiet. Save your talk until you can fool people who don’t know you. I’ve seen how fast you run away, so I know very well that your courage cannot be relied on.”

A SHEPHERD driving his Sheep to a wood, saw an oak of unusual size full of acorns, and spreading his cloak under the branches, he climbed up into the tree and shook them down. The Sheep eating the acorns inadvertently frayed and tore the cloak. When the Shepherd came down and saw what was done, he said, “O you most ungrateful creatures! You provide wool to make garments for all other men, but you destroy the clothes of him who feeds you.”

A Shepherd was driving his Sheep to a wood when he saw an unusually large oak full of acorns. He spread his cloak under the branches, climbed the tree, and shook the acorns down. As the Sheep ate the acorns, they accidentally frayed and tore the cloak. When the Shepherd climbed down and saw the damage, he said, “You ungrateful creatures! You provide wool to make clothes for all other men, but you destroy the clothes of the man who feeds you.”

THE GODS, according to an ancient legend, made choice of certain trees to be under their special protection. Jupiter chose the oak, Venus the myrtle, Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and Hercules the poplar. Minerva, wondering why they had preferred trees not yielding fruit, inquired the reason for their choice. Jupiter replied, “It is lest we should seem to covet the honour for the fruit.” But said Minerva, “Let anyone say what he will the olive is more dear to me on account of its fruit.” Then said Jupiter, “My daughter, you are rightly called wise; for unless what we do is useful, the glory of it is vain.”

According to an ancient legend, the gods each chose a tree to place under their special protection. Jupiter chose the oak, Venus the myrtle, Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and Hercules the poplar. Minerva wondered why they had chosen trees that bore no fruit, so she asked them why. Jupiter replied, “So that we would not seem to want credit for the fruit.” But Minerva said, “Let anyone say what they like. The olive is dearer to me because of its fruit.” Then Jupiter said, “My daughter, you are rightly called wise. For unless what we do is useful, the glory we gain from it is worthless.”

A FLEA settled upon the bare foot of a Wrestler and bit him, causing the man to call loudly upon Hercules for help. When the Flea a second time hopped upon his foot, he groaned and said, “O Hercules! if you will not help me against a Flea, how can I hope for your assistance against greater antagonists?”

A Flea landed on a Wrestler’s bare foot and bit him, making him call loudly to Hercules for help. When the Flea hopped onto his foot a second time, the Wrestler groaned and said, “Oh, Hercules! If you won’t help me against a Flea, how can I hope for your help against stronger opponents?”

A FOX entered into partnership with a Lion on the pretense of becoming his servant. Each undertook his proper duty in accordance with his own nature and powers. The Fox discovered and pointed out the prey; the Lion sprang on it and seized it. The Fox soon became jealous of the Lion carrying off the Lion’s share, and said that he would no longer find out the prey, but would capture it on his own account. The next day he attempted to snatch a lamb from the fold, but he himself fell prey to the huntsmen and hounds.

A Fox formed a partnership with a Lion, pretending he would serve the Lion. Each did the work that suited his nature and abilities. The Fox found the prey and pointed it out. The Lion pounced on the prey and caught it. The Fox soon grew jealous because the Lion took the largest share. He said he would no longer find prey for the Lion but would catch prey for himself. The next day, he tried to snatch a lamb from the sheep pen. But the Fox himself fell prey to the hunters and their hounds.

A WAYFARING MAN, traveling in the desert, met a woman standing alone and terribly dejected. He inquired of her, “Who art thou?” “My name is Truth,” she replied. “And for what cause,” he asked, “have you left the city to dwell alone here in the wilderness?” She made answer, “Because in former times, falsehood was with few, but is now with all men.”

A traveler crossing the desert met a woman standing alone and deeply unhappy. He asked her, “Who are you?” “My name is Truth,” she replied. “And why,” he asked, “have you left the city to live alone here in the wilderness?” She answered, “Because in the past, only a few people told lies, but now everyone does.”

A MAN committed a murder, and was pursued by the relations of the man whom he murdered. On his reaching the river Nile he saw a Lion on its bank and being fearfully afraid, climbed up a tree. He found a serpent in the upper branches of the tree, and again being greatly alarmed, he threw himself into the river, where a crocodile caught him and ate him. Thus the earth, the air, and the water alike refused shelter to a murderer.

A man committed a murder and was chased by the victim’s relatives. When he reached the river Nile, he saw a lion on the bank. Terrified, he climbed a tree. He found a snake in the tree’s upper branches. Once again terrified, he threw himself into the river, where a crocodile caught him and ate him. So the earth, the air, and the water all refused to shelter a murderer.

AN EAGLE stayed his flight and entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, “I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to find surety for your good faith, for how can I trust anyone as a friend who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he pleases?”

An Eagle stopped flying and urged a Lion to form an alliance with him that would benefit them both. The Lion replied, “I have no objection, but forgive me for asking you to find someone to guarantee your honesty. How can I trust anyone as a friend who can fly away from his agreement whenever he pleases?”

Try before you trust.

Test before you trust.

AN ASS, being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail, endeavoring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his effort, the man let him go and said, “Conquer, but conquer to your cost.”

A donkey was being driven along a main road when he suddenly bolted toward the edge of a deep cliff. As he was about to throw himself over, his owner grabbed his tail and tried to pull him back. When the donkey kept trying to go over, the man let go and said, “Have your way, but you’ll pay for it.”

A THRUSH was feeding on a myrtle-tree and did not move from it because its berries were so delicious. A Fowler observed her staying so long in one spot, and having well bird-limed his reeds, caught her. The Thrush, being at the point of death, exclaimed, “O foolish creature that I am! For the sake of a little pleasant food I have deprived myself of my life.”

A THRUSH was feeding on a myrtle tree. She stayed there because the berries were so delicious. A Fowler noticed her staying in one spot for so long. He coated his reeds thoroughly with sticky birdlime and caught her. As she lay dying, the Thrush cried out, “What a fool I am! For a little tasty food, I have given up my life.”

A FAMISHED WOLF was prowling about in the morning in search of food. As he passed the door of a cottage built in the forest, he heard a Mother say to her child, “Be quiet, or I will throw you out of the window, and the Wolf shall eat you.” The Wolf sat all day waiting at the door. In the evening he heard the same woman fondling her child and saying: “You are quiet now, and if the Wolf should come, we will kill him.” The Wolf, hearing these words, went home, gasping with cold and hunger. When he reached his den, Mistress Wolf inquired of him why he returned wearied and supperless, so contrary to his wont. He replied: “Why, forsooth! use I gave credence to the words of a woman!”

A STARVING WOLF was prowling around one morning, looking for food. As he passed the door of a cottage in the forest, he heard a Mother speaking to her child. “Be quiet, or I will throw you out of the window, and the Wolf will eat you.” The Wolf sat all day waiting at the door. In the evening, he heard the same woman cuddling her child and saying: “You are quiet now, and if the Wolf comes, we will kill him.” When the Wolf heard these words, he went home, gasping from cold and hunger. When he reached his den, Mistress Wolf asked why he had returned tired and without supper, unlike his usual habit. He replied: “Well, of course! Because I believed a woman’s words!”