Fables 281 to 300

A HEN finding the eggs of a viper and carefully keeping them warm, nourished them into life. A Swallow, observing what she had done, said, “You silly creature! why have you hatched these vipers which, when they shall have grown, will inflict injury on all, beginning with yourself?”

A Hen found a viper’s eggs and carefully kept them warm until they hatched. A Swallow saw what the Hen had done and said, “You silly creature! Why have you hatched these vipers? When they grow up, they will harm everyone, starting with you!”

AN AMARANTH planted in a garden near a Rose-Tree, thus addressed it: “What a lovely flower is the Rose, a favourite alike with Gods and with men. I envy you your beauty and your perfume.” The Rose replied, “I indeed, dear Amaranth, flourish but for a brief season! If no cruel hand pluck me from my stem, yet I must perish by an early doom. But thou art immortal and dost never fade, but bloomest for ever in renewed youth.”

An Amaranth planted in a garden near a Rose-Tree said to the Rose, “What a lovely flower you are, loved by Gods and people alike. I envy your beauty and your fragrance.” The Rose replied, “Dear Amaranth, I bloom for only a short season! Even if no cruel hand picks me from my stem, I must still die young. But you are immortal and never fade. You bloom forever, your youth always renewed.”

TWO TRAVELERS, worn out by the heat of the summer’s sun, laid themselves down at noon under the widespreading branches of a Plane-Tree. As they rested under its shade, one of the Travelers said to the other, “What a singularly useless tree is the Plane! It bears no fruit, and is not of the least service to man.” The Plane-Tree, interrupting him, said, “You ungrateful fellows! Do you, while receiving benefits from me and resting under my shade, dare to describe me as useless, and unprofitable?”

Two Travelers, exhausted by the summer heat, lay down at noon under the spreading branches of a Plane-Tree. As they rested in its shade, one Traveler said to the other, “What an utterly useless tree the Plane is! It bears no fruit and is of no use at all to people.” The Plane-Tree interrupted him and said, “You ungrateful fellows! You enjoy my help and rest in my shade, yet you dare to call me useless and good for nothing?”

Some men underrate their best blessings.

Some people undervalue their greatest blessings.

AN ASS besought a Horse to spare him a small portion of his feed. “Yes,” said the Horse; “if any remains out of what I am now eating I will give it you for the sake of my own superior dignity, and if you will come when I reach my own stall in the evening, I will give you a little sack full of barley.” The Ass replied, “Thank you. But I can’t think that you, who refuse me a little matter now, will by and by confer on me a greater benefit.”

An Ass begged a Horse to share a little of his feed. “Yes,” said the Horse. “If any of the feed I am eating is left over, I will give you some. I will do so because of my own superior dignity. And if you come to my stall when I get there this evening, I will give you a small sack full of barley.” The Ass replied, “Thank you. But you refuse to give me a little now. So I can’t believe you will give me something greater later.”

A TROUBLESOME CROW seated herself on the back of a Sheep. The Sheep, much against his will, carried her backward and forward for a long time, and at last said, “If you had treated a dog in this way, you would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth.” To this the Crow replied, “I despise the weak and yield to the strong. I know whom I may bully and whom I must flatter; and I thus prolong my life to a good old age.”

A TROUBLESOME CROW sat on the back of a Sheep. Much against his will, the Sheep carried her back and forth for a long time. At last he said, “If you had treated a dog like this, his sharp teeth would have given you what you deserved.” The Crow replied, “I look down on the weak and give in to the strong. I know whom I can bully and whom I must flatter. That is how I live to a ripe old age.”

A FOX was mounting a hedge when he lost his footing and caught hold of a Bramble to save himself. Having pricked and grievously torn the soles of his feet, he accused the Bramble because, when he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than the hedge itself. The Bramble, interrupting him, said, “But you really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others.”

A FOX was climbing a hedge when he lost his footing and grabbed a Bramble to save himself. The Bramble’s thorns pricked and badly tore the soles of his feet. He blamed the Bramble because she had treated him worse than the hedge when he turned to her for help. The Bramble interrupted him and said, “But you must have been out of your mind to grab hold of me. I’m always grabbing hold of others myself.”

AN ASS congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and carefully provided for, while he himself had scarcely enough to eat and not even that without hard work. But when war broke out, a heavily armed soldier mounted the Horse, and riding him to the charge, rushed into the very midst of the enemy. The Horse was wounded and fell dead on the battlefield. Then the Ass, seeing all these things, changed his mind, and commiserated the Horse.

An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so generously and carefully cared for. Meanwhile, the Ass barely had enough to eat, and even that required hard work. But when war broke out, a heavily armed soldier mounted the Horse and rode him into battle. The soldier charged straight into the middle of the enemy. The Horse was wounded and fell dead on the battlefield. Then the Ass, having seen all of this, changed his mind and felt sorry for the Horse.

THE LION wearied Jupiter with his frequent complaints. “It is true, O Jupiter!” he said, “that I am gigantic in strength, handsome in shape, and powerful in attack. I have jaws well provided with teeth, and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it over all the beasts of the forest, and what a disgrace it is, that being such as I am, I should be frightened by the crowing of a cock.” Jupiter replied, “Why do you blame me without a cause? I have given you all the attributes which I possess myself, and your courage never fails you except in this one instance.” On hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented very much and, reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die. As these thoughts passed through his mind, he met an Elephant and came close to hold a conversation with him. After a time he observed that the Elephant shook his ears very often, and he inquired what was the matter and why his ears moved with such a tremor every now and then. Just at that moment a Gnat settled on the head of the Elephant, and he replied, “Do you see that little buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is sealed. I should die presently.” The Lion said, “Well, since so huge a beast is afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself dead. I find myself, even as I am, better off than the Elephant.”

The Lion wore Jupiter out with his frequent complaints. “It is true, Jupiter!” he said. “I am enormously strong, handsome, and powerful when I attack. My jaws are full of teeth, and my feet have claws. I rule over all the beasts of the forest. Yet despite all this, how disgraceful it is that I should be frightened by a rooster’s crowing.” Jupiter replied, “Why do you blame me for no reason? I have given you all the qualities I possess myself. Your courage never fails you except in this one case.” When the Lion heard this reply, he groaned and mourned bitterly. He blamed himself for his cowardice and wished he could die. While these thoughts were going through his mind, he met an Elephant and approached him to talk. After a while, he noticed that the Elephant kept shaking his ears. He asked what was wrong and why the Elephant’s ears trembled so often. Just then, a Gnat landed on the Elephant’s head, and the Elephant replied, “Do you see that little buzzing insect? If it gets into my ear, my fate is sealed. I will soon die.” The Lion said, “Well, since such a huge beast fears a tiny gnat, I will stop complaining or wishing myself dead. Even as I am, I see that I am better off than the Elephant.”

A DOG, used to eating eggs, saw an Oyster and, opening his mouth to its widest extent, swallowed it down with the utmost relish, supposing it to be an egg. Soon afterwards suffering great pain in his stomach, he said, “I deserve all this torment, for my folly in thinking that everything round must be an egg.”

A dog who often ate eggs saw an oyster. He opened his mouth as wide as he could and eagerly swallowed the oyster, thinking it was an egg. Soon afterward, he felt severe pain in his stomach. He said, “I deserve all this pain because I foolishly thought that everything round must be an egg.”

They who act without sufficient thought, will often fall into unsuspected danger.

People who act without thinking enough will often find themselves in danger they never expected.

TWO MULES well-laden with packs were trudging along. One carried panniers filled with money, the other sacks weighted with grain. The Mule carrying the treasure walked with head erect, as if conscious of the value of his burden, and tossed up and down the clear-toned bells fastened to his neck. His companion followed with quiet and easy step. All of a sudden Robbers rushed upon them from their hiding-places, and in the scuffle with their owners, wounded with a sword the Mule carrying the treasure, which they greedily seized while taking no notice of the grain. The Mule which had been robbed and wounded bewailed his misfortunes. The other replied, “I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.”

Two Mules were trudging along, both carrying heavy loads. One carried baskets filled with money, the other sacks full of grain. The Mule carrying the treasure held his head high, as if he knew how valuable his load was. He shook the clear-ringing bells fastened around his neck. His companion followed with quiet, easy steps. Suddenly, Robbers rushed out from their hiding places. As the Robbers struggled with the Mules’ owners, they wounded the Mule carrying the treasure with a sword. The Robbers greedily seized the treasure but paid no attention to the grain. The Mule who had been robbed and wounded mourned his misfortune. The other replied, “I am very glad I was considered so unimportant, for I have lost nothing and suffered no wounds.”

A WOLF pursued a Lamb, which fled for refuge to a certain Temple. The Wolf called out to him and said, “The Priest will slay you in sacrifice, if he should catch you.” On which the Lamb replied, “It would be better for me to be sacrificed in the Temple than to be eaten by you.”

A Wolf chased a Lamb, who ran to a Temple for safety. The Wolf called out to the Lamb, “The Priest will kill you as a sacrifice if he catches you.” The Lamb replied, “I would rather be sacrificed in the Temple than be eaten by you.”

A FOWLER caught a Partridge and was about to kill it. The Partridge earnestly begged him to spare his life, saying, “Pray, master, permit me to live and I will entice many Partridges to you in recompense for your mercy to me.” The Fowler replied, “I shall now with less scruple take your life, because you are willing to save it at the cost of betraying your friends and relations.”

A Fowler caught a Partridge and was about to kill it. The Partridge begged him to spare his life, saying, “Please, master, let me live. I will lure many Partridges to you in return for your mercy.” The Fowler replied, “Now I feel less guilt about taking your life, because you are willing to save yourself by betraying your friends and family.”

A MAN, very much annoyed with a Flea, caught him at last, and said, “Who are you who dare to feed on my limbs, and to cost me so much trouble in catching you?” The Flea replied, “O my dear sir, pray spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot possibly do you much harm.” The Man, laughing, replied, “Now you shall certainly die by mine own hands, for no evil, whether it be small or large, ought to be tolerated.”

A Man was very annoyed by a Flea and finally caught him. He said, “Who are you to dare to feed on my body and make me work so hard to catch you?” The Flea replied, “My dear sir, please spare my life and do not kill me. I cannot possibly do you much harm.” The Man laughed and replied, “Now I will certainly kill you with my own hands. No evil should be tolerated, whether small or large.”

A RICH MAN lived near a Tanner, and not being able to bear the unpleasant smell of the tan-yard, he pressed his neighbor to go away. The Tanner put off his departure from time to time, saying that he would leave soon. But as he still continued to stay, as time went on, the rich man became accustomed to the smell, and feeling no manner of inconvenience, made no further complaints.

A rich man lived near a tanner and could not stand the unpleasant smell from the tanning yard. So he urged his neighbor to move away. The tanner kept putting off his departure, saying he would leave soon. But the tanner stayed, and over time the rich man grew used to the smell. Since the smell no longer bothered him at all, the rich man stopped complaining.

A VIPER, entering the workshop of a smith, sought from the tools the means of satisfying his hunger. He more particularly addressed himself to a File, and asked of him the favour of a meal. The File replied, “You must indeed be a simple-minded fellow if you expect to get anything from me, who am accustomed to take from everyone, and never to give anything in return.”

A VIPER entered a blacksmith’s workshop and looked among the tools for something to satisfy his hunger. He approached a File in particular and asked him for a meal. The File replied, “You must be a fool if you expect to get anything from me. I’m used to taking from everyone and never giving anything in return.”

The covetous are poor givers.

Greedy people are not generous.

A LION, roaming through a forest, trod upon a thorn. Soon afterward he came up to a Shepherd and fawned upon him, wagging his tail as if to say, “I am a suppliant, and seek your aid.” The Shepherd boldly examined the beast, discovered the thorn, and placing his paw upon his lap, pulled it out; thus relieved of his pain, the Lion returned into the forest. Some time after, the Shepherd, being imprisoned on a false accusation, was condemned “to be cast to the Lions” as the punishment for his imputed crime. But when the Lion was released from his cage, he recognized the Shepherd as the man who healed him, and instead of attacking him, approached and placed his foot upon his lap. The King, as soon as he heard the tale, ordered the Lion to be set free again in the forest, and the Shepherd to be pardoned and restored to his friends.

A LION roaming through a forest stepped on a thorn. Soon afterward, he approached a Shepherd and wagged his tail, trying to win his sympathy. It was as if he were saying, “I am begging for your help.” The Shepherd bravely examined the beast and found the thorn. He placed the Lion’s paw on his lap and pulled the thorn out. With his pain relieved, the Lion returned to the forest. Some time later, the Shepherd was imprisoned on a false accusation. He was sentenced “to be thrown to the Lions” as punishment for the crime he was accused of committing. But when the Lion was released from his cage, he recognized the Shepherd as the man who had healed him. Instead of attacking, the Lion approached the Shepherd and placed his paw on the Shepherd’s lap. As soon as the King heard the story, he ordered the Lion to be freed in the forest again. He also ordered the Shepherd to be pardoned and returned to his friends.

THE CAMEL, when he saw the Bull adorned with horns, envied him and wished that he himself could obtain the same honours. He went to Jupiter, and besought him to give him horns. Jupiter, vexed at his request because he was not satisfied with his size and strength of body, and desired yet more, not only refused to give him horns, but even deprived him of a portion of his ears.

When the Camel saw the Bull with his impressive horns, he envied him and wanted the same honors for himself. He went to Jupiter and begged him for horns. Jupiter was annoyed by the request because the Camel was not satisfied with his size and strength and wanted more. So Jupiter not only refused to give him horns but also took away part of his ears.

A PANTHER, by some mischance, fell into a pit. The Shepherds discovered him, and some threw sticks at him and pelted him with stones, while others, moved with compassion towards one about to die even though no one should hurt him, threw in some food to prolong his life. At night they returned home, not dreaming of any danger, but supposing that on the morrow they would find him dead. The Panther, however, when he had recruited his feeble strength, freed himself with a sudden bound from the pit, and hastened to his den with rapid steps. After a few days he came forth and slaughtered the cattle, and, killing the Shepherds who had attacked him, raged with angry fury. Then they who had spared his life, fearing for their safety, surrendered to him their flocks and begged only for their lives. To them the Panther made this reply: “I remember alike those who sought my life with stones, and those who gave me food aside, therefore, your fears. I return as an enemy only to those who injured me.”

A Panther accidentally fell into a pit. The Shepherds found him. Some threw sticks at him and pelted him with stones. Others felt pity for him, since he would die even if no one hurt him. So they threw him some food to keep him alive longer. At night the Shepherds went home, never imagining any danger. They expected to find him dead the next morning. But after the Panther had regained his strength, he escaped from the pit with one sudden leap. He hurried back to his den. A few days later, he came out and slaughtered the cattle. In a furious rage, he killed the Shepherds who had attacked him. Then the Shepherds who had spared his life feared for their own safety. They gave him their flocks and begged him only to spare their lives. The Panther replied to them: “I remember both those who tried to kill me with stones and those who gave me food. So put aside your fears. I have returned as an enemy only to those who hurt me.”

AN EAGLE, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the branches of a tree in company with a Kite. “Why,” said the Kite, “do I see you with such a rueful look?” “I seek,” she replied, “a mate suitable for me, and am not able to find one.” “Take me,” returned the Kite, “I am much stronger than you are.” “Why, are you able to secure the means of living by your plunder?” “Well, I have often caught and carried away an ostrich in my talons.” The Eagle, persuaded by these words, accepted him as her mate. Shortly after the nuptials, the Eagle said, “Fly off and bring me back the ostrich you promised me.” The Kite, soaring aloft into the air, brought back the shabbiest possible mouse, stinking from the length of time it had lain about the fields. “Is this,” said the Eagle, “the faithful fulfillment of your promise to me?” The Kite replied, “That I might attain your royal hand, there is nothing that I would not have promised, however much I knew that I must fail in the performance.”

An Eagle, overcome with sorrow, sat on a tree branch beside a Kite. “Why do you look so sad?” asked the Kite. “I’m looking for a suitable mate,” she replied, “but I can’t find one.” “Choose me,” said the Kite. “I’m much stronger than you are.” “Can you catch enough prey to live on?” “Well, I’ve often caught an ostrich and carried it away in my talons.” Convinced by his words, the Eagle accepted him as her mate. Shortly after their wedding, the Eagle said, “Fly off and bring me the ostrich you promised me.” The Kite soared into the air and returned with the scruffiest mouse imaginable. The mouse stank from lying in the fields for so long. “Is this mouse how you keep your promise to me?” asked the Eagle. The Kite replied, “To win your royal hand in marriage, I would have promised anything. It wouldn’t have mattered how certain I was that I could never keep the promise.”

AN EAGLE was once captured by a man, who immediately clipped his wings and put him into his poultry-yard with the other birds, at which treatment the Eagle was weighed down with grief. Later, another neighbor purchased him and allowed his feathers to grow again. The Eagle took flight, and pouncing upon a hare, brought it at once as an offering to his benefactor. A Fox, seeing this, exclaimed, “Do not cultivate the favour of this man, but of your former owner, lest he should again hunt for you and deprive you a second time of your wings.”

A man once captured an Eagle, immediately clipped his wings, and put him in his poultry yard with the other birds. The Eagle was overcome with grief at this treatment. Later, a neighbor bought him and let his feathers grow back. The Eagle flew off, swooped down on a hare, and immediately brought it as a gift to his kind owner. A Fox saw the gift and exclaimed, “Do not try to win this man’s favor, but your former owner’s instead. Otherwise, your former owner might hunt you down again and clip your wings a second time.”