# The Fables of Æsop, the celebrated ancient philosopher

THE
FABLES OF ÆSOP,
THE CELEBRATED ANCIENT PHILOSOPHER.
PAISLEY:
PRINTED BY CALDWELL AND SON, 2, NEW STREET.
1839.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL
A brisk young Cock, raking upon a dunghill for something to peck, happened to scrape up a jewel. He knew very well what it was, but not knowing what to do with it, he turned it over and over in a contemptuous manner, shook his head, and putting on a grimace, expressed himself to this purpose: "Indeed you are a fine thing, but I know not any business you have here: I make no scruple of declaring, that my taste lies quite another way; and I had rather have one grain of dear delicious barley, than all the jewels under the sun."
MORAL
A wise man judges not of things by appearances.
THE JACKDAW AND THE PIGEONS.
A Jackdaw, observing that the Pigeons in a certain dovecot lived well, and wanted for nothing, white-washed his feathers, and went and lived with them. The Pigeons, not knowing the cheat, forbore to give him any disturbance. But at last he began to chatter, when the the Pigeons, discovering what he was, obliged him to fly back to the Jackdaws; but they did not know him in his discoloured feathers, and so drove him off likewise; so that he who had endeavoured to be more than he had a right to, was not permitted to be any thing at all.
MORAL.
Make not unfounded pretensions; profess to be only what you are.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
A Wolf and a Lamb came to quench their thirst at a stream. The Wolf asked the Lamb what he meant by disturbing the water? and demanded satisfaction. The Lamb said that could not be, since the water ran down from the Wolf to him. 'Be that as it will,' said the Wolf, 'you spoke ill of me, behind my back, about a year ago." The Lamb replied that at that time he was not born. Unable to face truth, the Wolf said in a passion, 'Sirrah, if it was not you it was your father, and that's all one.' So seizing the Lamb he devoured it.
MORAL.
An ill disposed man seldom fails to find a cause of dispute.
THE OLD HOUND.
An old hound who had been an excellent good one in his time, had at last by reason of years, become feeble and unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, he happened to be the first that came up with the game, but his decayed teeth prevented him from keeping his hold of it, and it escaped. His master, being in a passion, was going to strike him. 'Ah do not strike your old servant,' said the dog, 'It is not my heart or inclination but my strength that fails me. If what I am now displeases you, pray don't forget what I have been.'
MORAL.
It is a sad thing to be treated unkindly by the man you have served.
THE FOX AND THE SICK LION.
MORAL.
When an enemy makes fine professions, we have need of caution.
THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER.
THE WOOD AND THE CLOWN.
MORAL.
He that gives a sword to an enemy may expect it turned on himself.
THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP.
MORAL.
THE HORSE AND THE LION.
MORAL.
He that playeth a wily trick, often beguileth himself.
THE THIEVES AND COCK.
MORAL.
THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.
MORAL.
We call that bad which we most desire, if we cannot attain to it.
THE MOUNTAINS IN LABOUR.
MORAL.
THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE.
MORAL.
THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.
MORAL.
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
MORAL.
THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS.
MORAL.
THE TRUSTY DOG.
MORAL.
THE HARPER.
MORAL.
THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.
MORAL.
THE FOX AND MASK
MORAL
THE KID AND THE WOLF.
MORAL.
THE BOY AND HIS MOTHER.
MORAL.
THE PARTRIDGE AND THE COCKS.
MORAL.
THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG.
MORAL.
THE EAGLE AND THE FOX.
MORAL.
THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.
MORAL
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER.
MORAL.
THE BOASTING TRAVELLER.
MORAL.
THE LION AND THE FORESTER.
MORAL.
THE GEESE AND THE CRANES.
MORAL.
THE WAGGONER AND HERCULES.
MORAL.
THE FIR TREE AND THE BRAMBLE.
MORAL.
THE FOX AND THE GOAT.
MORAL.
THE EAGLES AND THE CROWS.
MORAL.
THE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS.
MORAL.
THE PROUD FROG.
MORAL.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
MORAL.
THE FOWLER AND THE RING DOVE.
MORAL.
MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN.
MORAL. - Honesty is the best policy.
THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.
MORAL.
Avarice is often its own punishment.
THE DOG AND HIS SHADOW
MORAL.
THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING
MORAL.— He who hunts for another may have a laugh for his pains
THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK.
MORAL.
THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE
MORAL
THE FOX AND THE CROW
MORAL.
THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS.
MORAL — Industry is a true source of happiness and wealth.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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