The Eagle and the Kite
An Eagle was sitting on a branch with a Kite, in sorrowful mood. “Why,” said the Kite, “do I see you with such a melancholy air?” “I am looking out,” said she, “for a mat ...
Gaius Julius Phaedrus
Gaius Julius Phaedrus (/ˈfiːdrəs/; Greek: Φαῖδρος; Phaîdros) was a 1st-century CE Roman fabulist and the first versifier of a collection of Aesop’s fables into Latin. Few facts are known about him for certain and there was little mention of his work during late antiquity. It was not until the discovery of a few imperfect manuscripts during and following the Renaissance that his importance emerged, both as an author and in the transmission of the fables.
The Poor Man and the Serpent
In the house of a certain Poor Man, a Serpent was always in the habit of coming to his table, and being fed there plentifully upon the crumbs. Shortly after, the Man beco ...
The Kid and the Wolf
A She-Goat, that she might keep her young one in safety, on going forth to feed, warned her heedless Kid not to open the door, because she knew that many wild beasts were ...
The Camel and the Flea
A Flea, chancing to sit on the back of a Camel who was going along weighed down with heavy burdens, was quite delighted with himself, as he appeared to be so much higher. ...
The Old Lion and the Fox
Worn with years, a Lion pretended illness. Many Beasts came for the purpose of visiting the sick King, whom at once he devoured. But a wary Fox stood at a distance before ...
The Horse and the Ass
An Ass asked a Horse for a little barley. “With all my heart,” said he, “if I had more than I wanted, I would give you plenty, in accordance with my dignified position; b ...
The Ant and the Grasshopper
In winter time, an Ant was dragging forth from her hole, and drying, the grains which, in her foresight, she had collected during the summer. A Grasshopper, being hungry, ...
The Sheep and the Crow
A Crow, sitting at her ease upon a Sheep’s back, pecked her with her beak. After she had done this for a long time, the Sheep, so patient under injury, remarked: “If you ...
The Stork, the Goose, and the Hawk
A Stork, having come to a well-known pool, found a Goose diving frequently beneath the water, and enquired why she did so. The other replied: “This is our custom, and we ...