Read Online Aesop's Fables by Aesop, Arthur Rackham, V. S. Vernon Jones, D. L. Ashliman - Free Book Online Page A

for some way of getting out, but could find none.
    Presently the fox said, “I have an idea. You stand on your hind legs and plant your forelegs firmly against the side of the well, and then I’ll climb onto your back, and, from there, by stepping on your horns, I can get out. And when I’m out, I’ll help you out too.” The goat did as he was requested, and the fox climbed onto his back and so out of the well. And then he coolly walked away. The goat called loudly after him and reminded him of his promise to help him out. But the fox merely turned and said, “If you had as much sense in your head as you have hair in your beard you wouldn’t have got into the well without making certain that you could get out again.”
     
    Look before you leap.

48. THE FISHERMAN AND THE SPRAT
    A fisherman cast his net into the sea, and when he drew it up again it contained nothing but a single sprat that begged to be put back into the water. “I’m only a little fish now,” it said, “but I shall grow big one day, and then if you come and catch me again I shall be of some use to you.” But the fisherman replied, “Oh, no, I shall keep you now I’ve got you. If I put you back, should I ever see you again? Not likely!”

49. THE BOASTING TRAVELER
    A man once went abroad on his travels, and when he came home he had wonderful tales to tell of the things he had . done in foreign countries. Among other things, he said he had taken part in a jumping match at Rhodes, and had done a wonderful jump which no one could beat. “Just go to Rhodes and ask them,” he said. “Everyone will tell you it’s true.” But one of those who were listening said, “If you can jump as well as all that, we needn’t go to Rhodes to prove it. Let’s just imagine this is Rhodes for a minute; and now—jump!”
     
    Deeds, not words.

50. THE CRAB AND HIS MOTHER
    A n old crab said to her son, “Why do you walk sideways like that, my son? You ought to walk straight.” The young crab . replied, “Show me how, dear mother, and I’ll follow your example.” The old crab tried, but tried in vain, and then saw how foolish she had been to find fault with her child.
     
    Example is better than precept.

 

    THE CRAB AND HIS MOTHER

    51. THE ASS AND HIS SHADOW
    A certain man hired an ass for a journey in summertime, and started out with the owner following behind to drive the beast. By and by, in the heat of the day, they stopped to rest, and the traveler wanted to lie down in the ass’s shadow. But the owner, who himself wished to be out of the sun, wouldn’t let him do that; for he said he had hired the ass only, and not his shadow. The other maintained that his bargain secured him complete control of the ass for the time being. From words they came to blows. And while they were belaboring each other the ass took to his heels and was soon out of sight.

52. THE FARMER AND HIS SONS
    A farmer, being at death’s door and desiring to impart to his sons a secret of much moment, called them round him and said, “My sons, I am shortly about to die. I would have you know, therefore, that in my vineyard there lies a hidden treasure. Dig, and you will find it.” As soon as their father was dead, the sons took spade and fork and turned up the soil of the vineyard over and over again, in their search for the treasure which they supposed to lie buried there. They found none, however; but the vines, after so thorough a digging, produced a crop such as had never before been seen.

53. THE DOG AND THE COOK
    A rich man once invited a number of his friends and acquaintances to a banquet. His dog thought it would be a good opportunity to invite another dog, a friend of his; so he went to him and said, “My master is giving a feast. There’ll be a fine spread, so come and dine with me tonight.” The dog thus invited came, and when he saw the preparations being made in the kitchen he said to himself, “My word, I’m in luck. I’ll take care to eat enough tonight