Aesop Fable of the Day

The Blind Man and the Whelp

Mon, 12 May 2008 01:00:01 -0600

A BLIND MAN was accustomed to distinguish different animals by touching them with his hands. The whelp of a wolf was brought him, with a request that he would feel it, and say what it was. He felt it, and being in doubt, said: "I do not quite know whether it is the cub of a Fox, or the whelp of a Wolf, but this I know full well, that it would not be safe to admit him to the sheepfold."

Moral: Evil tendencies are shown in early life.

The Kid and the Wolf (1)

Sun, 11 May 2008 01:00:02 -0600

A KID, returning without protection from the pasture, was pursued by a Wolf. He turned round, and said to the wolf: "I know, friend wolf, that I must be your prey; but before I die, I would ask of you one favor, that you will play me a tune, to which I may dance." The Wolf complied, and while he was piping, and the Kid was dancing, the hounds, hearing the sound, came up and gave chase to the Wolf. The wolf, turning to the kid, said: "It is just what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have turned piper to please you."

Moral: Every one should keep his own colors.

The Fowler and the Ringdove

Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:01 -0600

A FOWLER took his gun, and went into the woods a shooting. He spied a ring-dove among the branches of an oak, and intended to kill it. He clapped the piece to his shoulder, and took his aim accordingly. But, just as he was going to pull the trigger, an adder, which he had trod upon under the grass, stung him so painfully in the leg that he was forced to quit his design, and threw his gun down in a passion.

The poison immediately infected his blood, and his whole body began to mortify; which, when he perceived, he could not help owning it to be just. "Fate," said he, "has brought destruction upon me while I was contriving the death of another."

Moral: Men often fall into the trap which they prepare for others.

The Sick Stag

Fri, 09 May 2008 01:00:01 -0600

A SICK STAG lay down in a quiet corner of his pasture-ground. His companions came in great numbers to inquire after his health, and each one helped himself to a share of the food which had been placed for his use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but from the failure of the means of living.

Moral: Evil companions bring more hurt than profit.

The Thief and the Housedog

Thu, 08 May 2008 01:00:01 -0600

A THIEF came in the night to break into a house. He brought with him several slices of meat, that he might pacify the house-dog, so that he should 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, to relax my vigilance, or even to gain my regard by these gifts, you will be greatly mistaken. This sudden kindness at your hands will only make me more watchful, lest under these unexpected favors to myself you have some private ends to accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master's injury. Besides, this is not the time that I am usually fed, which makes me all the more suspicious of your intentions."

Moral: He who offers bribes needs watching, for his intentions are not honest.

The Dogs and the Fox

Wed, 07 May 2008 01:00:01 -0600

SOME DOGS, finding the skin of a lion, began to tear it in pieces with their teeth. A Fox, seeing them, said: "If this lion were alive, you would soon find out that his claws were stronger than your teeth."

Moral: It is easy to kick a man that is down.

The Mouse and the Boasting Rat

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:00:01 -0600

A MOUSE lived in a granary which became, after a while, the frequent resort of a cat. The mouse was in great fear and did not know what to do. In her strait, she bethought herself of a rat who lived not far away, and who had said in her hearing a hundred times that he was not afraid of any cat living. She resolved to visit the bold rat and ask him to drive the cat away.

She found the rat in his hole and relating her story, besought his help. "Pooh!" said the rat, "You should be bold as I am; go strait about your affairs, and do not mind the cat. I will soon follow you and drive him away."

He thought, now, he must do something to make good his boast. So he collected all the rats in the neighborhood, resolved to frighten the cat by numbers. But when they all came to the granary, they found the cat had already caught the foolish mouse, and a single growl from him sent them all scampering to their holes.

Moral: Do not rely on a boaster.