Story Time : Selected Fables

The Ant and the Dove

AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and

being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of

drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked

a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant

climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly

afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid

his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant,

perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the

birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove

take wing.

MORAL OF THE STORY: One good turn deserves another

  The Crow and the Pitcher

  A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a Pitcher which had

once been full of water; but when the Crow put its beak into the

mouth of the Pitcher he found that only very little water was left

in it, and that he could not reach far enough down to get at it.

He tried, and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair.

Then a thought came to him, and he took a pebble and dropped it

into the Pitcher.  Then he took another pebble and dropped it into

the Pitcher.  Then he took another pebble and dropped that into

the Pitcher.  Then he took another pebble and dropped that into

the Pitcher.  Then he took another pebble and dropped that into

the Pitcher.  Then he took another pebble and dropped that into

the Pitcher.  At last, at last, he saw the water mount up near

him, and after casting in a few more pebbles he was able to quench

his thirst and save his life.

MORAL OF THE STORY:Little by little does the trick.

The Fox and the Goat

  A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of

escape.  A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and

seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good.  Concealing his

sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish

praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and

encouraging him to descend.  The Goat, mindful only of his

thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox

informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a

scheme for their common escape.  "If," said he, "you will place

your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up

your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards."  The Goat

readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back.  Steadying

himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of the

well and made off as fast as he could.  When the Goat upbraided

him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out,

"You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head

as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down

before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to

dangers from which you had no means of escape." 

MORAL OF THE STORY: Look before you leap.