An Astronomer used to walk out every night to gaze upon the stars. It happened one night that, with his whole thoughts rapt up in the skies, he fell into a well. One who heard his cries ran up to …[Continue]
The Dog Whose Ears were Cropped
A Dog complained of the cruelty of her master in cutting off her ears, and was so ashamed of her appearance that she resolved to stay in her kennel with her family. A friendly hunting dog said to her: “If …[Continue]
The Lion, the Ass and the Fox Hunting
The Lion, the Ass and the Fox formed a party to go out hunting. They took a large booty, and when the sport was ended, bethought themselves of having a hearty meal. The Lion bade the Ass allot the spoil. …[Continue]
The Lion and the Gnat
As a Gnat was buzzing around a Lion, the Lion said to him: “How dare you approach so near? Be off, or I will kill you with the least stroke of my paw.” The Gnat, knowing the advantage of his …[Continue]
The Gnat and the Bull
A Gnat that had been buzzing about the head of a Bull, at length settling himself down upon his horn, begged his pardon for incommoding him; “but if,” says he, “my weight at all inconveniences you, pray say so, and …[Continue]
The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
An Old Woman found an empty jar which had lately been full of prime old wine, and which still retained the fragrant smell of its former contents. She greedily placed it several times to her nose, and drawing it backwards …[Continue]
The Goose with the Golden Eggs
A certain man had the good fortune to possess a Goose that laid him a Golden Egg every day. But dissatisfied with so slow an income, and thinking to seize the whole treasure at once, he killed the Goose, and …[Continue]
The Goatherd and the Goats
It was a stormy day, and the snow was falling fast, when a Goatherd drove his Goats, all white with snow, into a desert cave for shelter. There he found that a herd of Wild Goats, more numerous and larger …[Continue]
The Horse and the Wolf
A Wolf saw a Horse grazing in a field. Putting on a grave air, he approached him and said: “Sir, you must be very ill; I have some skill as a physician, and if you will tell me where your …[Continue]
The Rat and the Frog
A Rat in an evil day made acquaintance with a Frog, and they set off on their travels together. The Frog, on pretense of great affection, and of keeping his companion out of harm’s way, tied the Rat’s foot to …[Continue]
The Cat, the Weasel and the Rabbit
While a Rabbit was absent from his hole one day, a Weasel took possession of it. On the Rabbit’s return, seeing the Weasel’s nose sticking out, he said: “You must leave this hole immediately. There is only room for one, …[Continue]
The Mule
A Mule, frolicsome from want of work and from overmuch corn, galloped about in a very extravagant manner, and said to himself: “My father surely was a high-mettled racer, and I am his own child in speed and spirit.” On …[Continue]
