For your convenience, this document contains the fables referenced in Epilogue: On the Wisdom of Aesop – Abridgment Series. See Epilogue: On the Wisdom of Aesop – Abridgment Series for the article text.
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This Reference Set is to support the fables referenced in the The Epilogue.
8. BELLING THE CAT
The Mice needed a plan to protect them from the Cat. Many plans were being discussed, when a young Mouse got up and said, “I have a plan.” “All we have to do is to hang a bell on the Cat’s neck. When we hear the bell ringing, we will know that our enemy is coming.” The Mice were chagrinned that they had not thought of such a simple and obvious plan before. But, then, the wise old Mouse arose and said: “Yes, that plan is very good. But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?”
Moral of the Story: Ideas must succeed through actual implementation.
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11. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
A Fox saw a bunch of juicy grapes hanging from a vine, and the Fox’s mouth watered as he desired to eat them. But, the grapes were high above. He tried and tried to reach the grapes, jumping over and over unsuccessfully, until he was exhausted. As he walked away, he said, “I didn’t really want those grapes! Those grapes were sour anyway!”
Moral of the Story: People who fail tend to despise the thing they first desired.
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12. THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
A Father had three Daughters who always quarreled, and no words he said did any good. So, he handed a tied bundle of sticks to each of them in turn and told each to try to break it. But, none could do so. The Father then untied the bundle and gave individual sticks to his Daughters to break one by one, which they did very easily. “My Daughters,” said the Father, “see how it is impossible for your enemies to break you if you are united, but, divided, you will be easily broken like a single stick.”
Moral of the Story: There is strength in unity; divide and conquer.
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13. THE WOLF AND THE CRANE
A Wolf had a bone stuck in his throat. He was sure that the Crane, with her long neck, would easily be able to reach the bone and pull it out. “If you pull the bone out for me, I will give you the greatest of rewards,” said the Wolf. The Crane, tempted by such a reward, did what the Wolf asked. After, when the Wolf walked away, the Crane said, “But what of my reward?” “How ungrateful!” snarled the Wolf, “Your head was in my mouth, and I gave your life!”
Moral of the Story: There is no good bargain where there is neither trust in the party nor the ability to enforce the terms.
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22. THE LION AND THE ASS
One day, the Lion walked through the forest, and the animals respectfully made way for him. But an envious Ass brayed a scornful remark as he passed. The Lion felt a moment of anger. But when he saw who it was that had spoken, he walked quietly on. He would not honor the Ass with even so much as a response.
Moral of the Story: Consider the source. Do not waste energy on the immaterial.
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36. THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP
A Wolf was injured from a fight with a Bear concerning a meal. Unable to move, he called to a Sheep who was passing nearby, “I am hurt. Kind Lamb, I sweetly beg you to fetch me a drink of water for my strength, so I may get a simple meal.” “A meal?” said the Sheep. “That means me, I suppose. And, the water to serve to wash me down your throat. No thank you.”
Moral of the Story: Logical conclusions from natural conditions.
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49. GOOSE THAT LAID GOLDEN EGGS
A Farmer had a Goose that began to lay a golden eggs. Each day one new golden egg would be laid by the Goose, and the Farmer grew very rich. However, the Farmer was impatient and tried to get the Goose to lay more than one golden egg each day. Finally, in desperation for more golden eggs, the Farmer cut the Goose open to get all of them at once! And, when he cut the Goose open, he got only the death of his Goose.
Unsatisfied with some, we lose all. Patience to wealth.
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50. THE SCORPION AND THE FROG
A Scorpion needed to cross a pond. Seeing a Frog, the Scorpion asked for a ride to the other side. “You will sting me,” said the Frog. “Certainly not,” retorted the Scorpion, “for we would both drown in the process!” This made sense to the Frog, so the Scorpion jumped onto the Frog’s back. Halfway across, the Scorpion stung the Frog. “Why did you do it,” said the Frog, “Now we both die!” “Well,” said the Scorpion, “I am a Scorpion and I sting Frogs!”
Moral of the Story: Beware the nature of a thing, which will define its behavior.
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54. THE FOX AND THE CROW
A Fox saw a Crow settle onto a branch with a large piece of cheese in its mouth. “Good day, Mistress Crow,” the Fox cried. “How beautiful your feathers and eyes! I am sure your voice surpasses other birds. Pray sing me a song that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds!” The Crow, quite full of herself for the words, lifted her head and began to sing. But, as she did so, it was only to let the cheese fall to the ground for the Fox to enjoy for his lunch.
Moral of the Story: Do not trust flatterers.
Flattery – No. 54. The Fox and the Crow – The Essential Aesop™- Back to Basics Abridgment Series
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59. THE WOLF AND THE KID
A Kid was perched up on the top of a house, and, looking down, spied a Wolf passing below. The Kid yelled at the Wolf, “You are a murderer and thief!” “You may curse away, my young friend, by the protection of that roof,” retorted the Wolf, “but you would not say so if you were down here next to me.”
Moral of the Story: It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
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60. THE WOODSMAN AND SERPENT
One winter day a Woodsman was tramping home when he saw a Serpent that was almost dead. So, he carried the Serpent into his home and set it on the hearth in front of the fire. His Children watched the Serpent slowly come to life again. Then, one of them stooped down to stroke it, but the Serpent raised its head and venomous fangs to strike. Luckily, the Woodsman seeing this, seized his axe and, with one stroke, cut the Serpent in two.
Moral of the Story: There is no gratitude from the wicked.
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85. THE LION IN LOVE
A Lion fell in love with a beautiful Maiden and proposed marriage to her Parents. The Parents neither wanted the Lion to marry their daughter, nor wanted to offend the Lion. The Father said: “We are honored, but we fear you might do our daughter some injury. If you should have your claws and teeth removed, then we would consider your proposal.” The Lion was so in love that he did so. But when he came again to the Parents, they laughed in his face, and bade him do his worst.
Moral of the Story: Love is the start of folly.
The Folly of Love – No. 85. The Lion in Love – The Essential Aesop™-Back to Basics
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89. THE MILKMAID AND THE PAIL
A Milkmaid traveled to market carrying a Pail on her head. As she travelled, she began calculating that she would buy eggs with money from the milk. From the eggs, she would have chickens, which she would sell to buy a new gown. And, with the new gown, she would make all the girls envious! At the moment of thinking so, she tossed her head in disregard for those imaginary girls, spilling all the milk.
Do not count your chickens before they’re hatched.
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90. THE CAT-MAIDEN
The Gods were once arguing over whether it was possible for a living being to change its nature. So, Jupiter turned a Cat into a Maiden, and he gave her to a young man for a wife. At the wedding-feast, Jupiter said to Venus, “See how she behaves — who could tell that yesterday she was a Cat?” “But, let us wait,” replied Venus, who then let loose a mouse into the room. The bride jumped up from her seat and tried to pounce upon the mouse.
Moral of the Story: Sooner or later, a core nature will be disclosed.
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98. WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
A Wolf decided to disguise himself so that he might enter upon the Sheep without detection. So, he clothed himself in a sheepskin, and slipped among the Sheep. He deceived the Shepherd and was penned for the night with the Sheep. But, the Shepherd, requiring mutton for the table, laid hands on the Wolf in mistake for a Sheep, and, seeing the ruse, killed the Wolf with his knife on the spot.
The trickster takes the consequence. Vigilance to a disguise.
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For your convenience, this document contains the fables referenced in Epilogue: On the Wisdom of Aesop – Abridgment Series. See Epilogue: On the Wisdom of Aesop – Abridgment Series for the article text.
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The Business of Aesop™ Article Index
Copyright © 2013 Gregg Zegarelli. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reference-epilogue-wisdom-aesop-abridgment-series-zegarelli-esq-
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