The Kites and The Swans
(www.AesopFables.com)
The Kites of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried to immitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing.
Moral value: The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present belssings.
The Kid and The Wolf
(www.AesopFables.com)
A kid, returning without protection from the pasture, was pursued by a Wolf. Seeing he could not escape, he turned around and said: “I know, friend Wolf, that I must be your prey, but before I die I would ask of you one favor you will play me a tune to which I may dance.” The Wolf complied, and while he was piping and the Kid was dancing, some hounds hearing the sound ran up and began chasing the Wolf. Turning to the Kid, he said, “It is just what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have turned piper to please you.”
Moral value: In time the dire need, clever thinking is key or Outwit your enemy to save your skin.
The Lion and the Eagle
(www.AesopFables.com)
AN EAGLE stayed his flight and entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, "I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to find surety for your good faith, for how can I rust anyone as a friend who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he pleases?'
Moral value: Try before you trust.
The Labourer and the Nightingale
(www.AesopFables.com)
A Labourer lay listening to a Nightingale's song throughout the summer night. So pleased was he with it that the next night he set a trap for it and captured it. "Now that I have caught thee," he cried, "thou shalt always sing to me."
"We Nightingales never sing in a cage." said the bird.
"Then I'll eat thee." said the Labourer. "I have always heard say that a nightingale on toast is dainty morsel."
"Nay, kill me not," said the Nightingale; "but let me free, and I'll tell thee three things far better worth than my poor body." The Labourer let him loose, and he flew up to a branch of a tree and said: "Never believe a captive's promise; that's one thing. Then again: Keep what you have. And third piece of advice is: Sorrow not over what is lost forever." Then the song-bird flew away.
The Lion and the Mouse
(www.AesopFables.com)
A LION was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed and let him go. It happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teeth and set him free, exclaiming:
"You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to con benefits on a Lion."
The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass
(www.AesopFables.com)
THE LION, the Fox and the Ass entered into an agreement to assist
each other in the chase. Having secured a large booty, the Lion on their return from the forest asked the Ass to allot his due portion to each of the three partners in the treaty. The Ass carefully divided the spoil into three equal shares and modestly requested the two others to make the first choice. The Lion, bursting out into a great rage, devoured the Ass. Then he requested the Fox to do him the favor to make a division. The Fox accumulated all that they had killed into one large heap and left to himself the smallest possible morsel. The Lion said, "Who has taught you, my very excellent fellow, the art of division? You are perfect to a fraction." He replied, "I learned it from the Ass, by witnessing his fate."
Moral value: Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others.
The King's Son and the Painted Lion
(www.AesopFables.com)
A KING, whose only son was fond of martial exercises, had a dream
in which he was warned that his son would be killed by a lion. Afraid the dream should prove true, he built for his son a pleasant palace and adorned its walls for his amusement with all kinds of life-sized animals, among which was the picture of a lion. When the young Prince saw this, his grief at being thus
confined burst out afresh, and, standing near the lion, he said: "O you most detestable of animals! through a lying dream of my father's, which he saw in his sleep, I am shut up on your account in this palace as if I had been a girl: what shall I now do to you?' With these words he stretched out his hands toward a
thorn-tree, meaning to cut a stick from its branches so that he might beat the lion. But one of the tree's prickles pierced his finger and caused great pain and inflammation, so that the young Prince fell down in a fainting fit. A violent fever suddenly set in, from which he died not many days later.
Moral value: We had better bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them.
The Bear and the Two Travellers
(www.bedtime.com)
Two men were travelling together when a bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them quickly climbed up a tree and hid among the branches. The other, feeling that he would be attacked, fell flat on the ground.
The Bear came up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over. The man held his breath, and pretended to be dead. The Bear soon left him, because it is said that bears will not touch a dead body.
When the Bear was quite gone, the other traveller came down out of the tree. With a clever grin he inquired of his friend,”Just what was it that the Bear whispered in your ear?”
His companion replied,”He gave me this advice: Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger.”
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar