Aesop's Fables have been a part of the way every single one of us has grown up,
in some way or the other. Even if we may not have noticed it. Fables are just
short fictional stories that teach us something important. Every one is familiar
with the tale of 'The Tortoise And The Hare', that taught us that slow and
steady can always win the race, and 'The Boy Who Cried 'Wolf'', that warns us
of the dangers of lying.
These are a few of the more well-known tales of Aesop, an Ancient Greek
philosopher and storyteller from 5th century BC. Many of Aesop's wise fables
have much to teach us even today. In these, please note that references to
Jupiter are referring to a name used back then for God, which means
'Heavenly Father'.
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A Few Lesser-known Tales For You. Enjoy! :)
The Kites and the Swans
'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 imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing.'
The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings -
The more we move toward what we perceive to be something we need, we lose what
we have, and forget what we've learned, and that will always be to our detriment.
The Fowler and the Viper
'A fowler, taking his bird-lime and his twigs, went out to catch birds. Seeing a
thrush sitting upon a tree, he wished to take it, and fitting his twigs to a proper
length, watched intently, having his whole thoughts directed towards the sky. While
thus looking upwards, he unknowingly trod upon a Viper asleep just before his feet.
The Viper, turning about, stung him, and falling into a swoon, the man said to
himself, 'Woe is me! that while I purposed to hunt another, I am myself fallen
unawares into the snares of death.''
When one aims to harm another, we become distracted by our terrible goal and open
ourselves to being harmed by the things we ignore.
The North Wind and the Sun
'The North Wind and the Sun disputed as to which was the most powerful, and
agreed that he should be declared the victor who could first strip a wayfaring
man of his clothes(cloak). The North Wind first tried his power and blew with
all his might, but the keener his blasts, the closer the Traveler wrapped his
cloak around him, until at last, resigning all hope of victory, the Wind called
upon the Sun to see what he could do. The Sun suddenly shown out with all his
warmth. The Traveler no sooner felt his genial rays that he took off one garment
after another, and at last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed and bathed in a
stream that lay in his path.'
Persuasion is better than force - Try as he might, the more the North Wind blew,
the tighter the Traveler held his cloak. All the force in the world cannot make
a man take his coat off and leave himself to succumb to the cold winds. We all
move more quickly towards that which provides us some comfort, regardless of the
efforts of others.
The Lion, the Wolf and the Fox
'A lion, growing old, lay sick in his cave. All the beasts came to visit their
king, except the Fox. The Wolf therefore, thinking that he had a capital
opportunity, accused the Fox to the Lion of not paying any respect to him who had
the rule over them all and of not coming to visit him. At that very moment the Fox
came in and heard these last words of the Wolf. The Lion roaring out in a rage
against him, the Fox sought an opportunity to defend himself and said, 'And who of
all those who have come to you have benefited you so much as I, who have traveled
from place to place in every direction, and have sought and learnt from the
physicians the means of healing you?' The Lion commanded him immediately to tell
him the cure, when he replied, 'You must flay a wolf alive and wrap his skin yet
warm around you.' The Wolf was at once taken and flayed; whereon the Fox, turning
to him, said with a smile, 'You should have moved your master not to ill, but to
good, will.''
When our goal is to spread cruelty and harm through others, we inadvertently
bring that cruelty and harm into our own lives. We should always strive to make
those around us want for good things, so our lives are also enriched by their
goodness.
The Birds, the Beasts and the Bats
'The birds waged war with the Beasts, and each were by turns the conquerors. A
Bat, fearing the uncertain issues of the fight, always fought on the side which
he felt was the strongest. When peace was proclaimed, his deceitful conduct was
apparent to both combatants. Therefore being condemned by each for his treachery,
he was driven forth from the light of day, and henceforth concealed himself in
dark hiding-places, flying always alone and at night.'
Those who cannot pick their enemies can also not pick their friends, and their
deceitfulness will ultimately lead to their loneliness.
The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner
'A trumpeter, bravely leading on the soldiers, was captured by the enemy. He
cried out to his captors, 'Pray spare me, and do not take my life without cause
or without inquiry. I have not slain a single man of your troop. I have no arms,
and carry nothing but this one brass trumpet.' 'That is the very reason for which
you should be put to death,' they said; 'for, while you do not fight yourself,
your trumpet stirs all the others to battle.''
The man that stirs others to fight is still a soldier, even if no weapons touch
his hands. Weapons are only the means by which harm is spread, when harm is the
desire of the man. The desire to harm is itself more destructive than the harm
actually inflicted.
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The Sparrow and the Hare
'A Hare pounced upon by an eagle sobbed very much and uttered cries like a child.
A Sparrow upbraided her and said, 'Where now is thy remarkable swiftness of foot?
Why were your feet so slow?' While the Sparrow was thus speaking, a hawk suddenly
seized him and killed him. The Hare was comforted in her death, and expiring said,
'Ah! you who so lately, when you supposed yourself safe, exulted over my calamity,
have now reason to deplore a similar misfortune.''
When we enjoy the misery of others, we often bring that same misery on to
ourselves.
The Flea and the Ox
'A flea thus questioned an Ox: 'What ails you, that being so huge and strong,
you submit to the wrongs you receive from men and slave for them day by day,
while I, being so small a creature, mercilessly feed on their flesh and drink
their blood without stint?' The Ox replied: 'I do not wish to be ungrateful, for
I am loved and well cared for by men, and they often pat my head and shoulders.'
'Woe's me!' said the flea; 'this very patting which you like, whenever it happens
to me, brings with it my inevitable destruction.''
For all our perceived greatness, we all require the help of those around us to
survive and are weak to many things. It is best not to overestimate your
strengths as the reward given to one may be your weakness.
The Goods and the Ills
'All the Goods were once driven out by the Ills from that common share which
they each had in the affairs of mankind; for the Ills by reason of their numbers
had prevailed to possess the earth. The Goods wafted themselves to heaven and
asked for a righteous vengeance on their persecutors. They entreated Jupiter (God)
that they might no longer be associated with the Ills, as they had nothing in
common and could not live together, but were engaged in unceasing warfare; and
that an indissoluble law might be laid down for their future protection. Jupiter
(God) granted their request and decreed that henceforth the Ills should visit the
earth in company with each other, but that the Goods should one by one enter the
habitations of men. Hence it arises that Ills abound, for they come not one by one,
but in troops, and by no means singly: while the Goods proceed from Jupiter (God),
and are given, not alike to all, but singly, and separately; and one by one to
those who are able to discern them.'
Bad things come in great numbers, for they are found everywhere and in all
things, while good is found in few, only to those who understand its power, as
the power of a few truly good things is far greater than that of all the bad.
The Two Bags
'Every man, according to an ancient legend, is born into the world with
two bags suspended from his neck: all bags in front full of his neighbors'
faults, and a large bag behind filled with his own faults. Hence it is that
men are quick to see the faults of others, and yet are often blind to their
own failings.'
The flaws of others are right in front of us, while our own flaws tend to
be hidden. It is only when we choose to see our own failings first that we
can lighten the burden we carry.
The Gnat and the Bull
'A gnat settled on the horn of a Bull, and sat there a long time. Just
as he was about to fly off, he made a buzzing noise, and inquired of the
Bull if he would like him to go. The Bull replied, 'I did not know you had
come, and I shall not miss you when you go away.'
'Some men are of more consequence in their own eyes than in the eyes of their
neighbor' - Most of our assumptions about others feelings towards us are
based entirely on our own perception. We live in peace with those around us,
but create wars in our own minds, believing we are making a far greater noise
than we actually are.
Manslayer
'A man committed a murder, and was pursued by the relations of the man whom
he murdered. On his reaching the river Nile he saw a Lion on its bank and being
fearfully afraid, climbed up a tree. He found a serpent in the upper branches of
the tree, and again being greatly alarmed, he threw himself into the river, where
a crocodile caught him and ate him. Thus the earth, the air, and the water alike
refused shelter to a murderer.'
To take a life is to hurt the lives of all those around, and shake the
foundation of the very world in which we live. When a murderer fails to show
empathy, the world responds in kind.
The Crow and the Sheep
'A troublesome crow seated herself on the back of a Sheep. The Sheep, much
against his will, carried her backward and forward for a long time, and at last
said, 'If you had treated a dog in this way, you would have had your deserts
from his sharp teeth.' To this the Crow replied, 'I despise the weak and yield
to the strong. I know whom I may bully and whom I must flatter; and I thus
prolong my life to a good old age.''
The greatest lesson a crow could ever teach you: Pick your friends well, pick
your enemies better.
The Wolf and the Lion
'Roaming by the mountainside at sundown, a Wolf saw his own shadow become
greatly extended and magnified, and he said to himself, 'Why should I, being
of such an immense size and extending nearly an acre in length, be afraid of
the Lion? Ought I not to be acknowledged as King of all the collected beasts?'
While he was indulging in these proud thoughts, a Lion fell upon him and
killed him. He exclaimed with a too late repentance, 'Wretched me! this
overestimation of myself is the cause of my destruction.''
When we build ourselves up and swell our chests with pride, arrogance and
scorn for others, we make ourselves a target to those stronger than us.
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
[birdlime] 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.'
Two very important lessons to be learned from this Fable: Good comes to those
who do good for others, and always repay the kindnesses given to you.
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The Lion, Jupiter(God) and the Elephant
'The lion wearied Jupiter (God) with his frequent complaints. 'It is true, O
Jupiter (God)!' he said, 'that I am gigantic in strength, handsome in shape, and
powerful in attack. I have jaws well provided with teeth, and feet furnished with
claws, and I lord it over all the beasts of the forest, and what a disgrace it is,
that being such as I am, I should be frightened by the crowing of a cock.'
Jupiter (God) replied, 'Why do you blame me without a cause? I have given you all
the attributes which I possess myself, and your courage never fails you except in
this one instance.' On hearing this the Lion groaned and lamented very much and,
reproaching himself with his cowardice, wished that he might die. As these thoughts
passed through his mind, he met an Elephant and came close to hold a conversation
with him. After a time he observed that the Elephant shook his ears very often,
and he inquired what was the matter and why his ears moved with such a tremor every
now and then. Just at that moment a Gnat settled on the head of the Elephant, and
he replied, 'Do you see that little buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, my fate is
sealed. I should die presently.' The Lion said, 'Well, since so huge a beast is
afraid of a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish myself dead. I find myself,
even as I am, better off than the Elephant.''
We all become overwhelmed with the problems we face and the challenges we cannot
overcome, even the king of the jungle. That's why it's important to remember that
everyone is facing a battle, and there are always those in the world that are worse
off than you.
The Two Dogs
'A man had two dogs: a Hound, trained to assist him in his sports, and a
Housedog, taught to watch the house. When he returned home after a good day's
sport, he always gave the Housedog a large share of his spoil. The Hound,
feeling much aggrieved at this, reproached his companion, saying, 'It is very
hard to have all this labor, while you, who do not assist in the chase,
luxuriate on the fruits of my exertions.' The Housedog replied, 'Do not blame
me, my friend, but find fault with the master, who has not taught me to labor,
but to depend for subsistence on the labor of others.''
Children are not to be blamed for the faults of their parents. - There's a saying,
'Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll never be
hungry again.' Parents are the first teachers that every young creature gets, and
the lessons learned in youth determines greatly how they will grow.
The Sick Stag
'A sick Stag lay down in a quiet corner of its pasture-ground. His companions
came in great numbers to inquire after his health, and each one helped himself
to a share of the food which had been placed for his use; so that he died, not
from his sickness, but from the failure of the means of living.'
Evil companions bring more hurt than profit. - It is important to be weary of
who you keep around, as many seek to gain from your loss, and the ultimate
sufferer will be you.
The Bear and the Two Travelers
'Two Men were traveling together, when a bear suddenly met them on their path.
One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed himself in the branches.
The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the
Bear came up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his
breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he could. The Bear soon
left him, for it is said he will not touch a dead body. When he was quite gone,
the other Traveler descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of his friend
what it was the bear had whispered in his ear. 'He gave me this advice,' his
companion replied, 'Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach
of danger.''
Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. - A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A friend that abandons you at a time of need, however, is no friend at all.
The Man and the Lion
'A man and a Lion traveled together through the forest. They soon began to
boast of their respective superiority to each other in strength and prowess. As
they were disputing, they passed a statue carved in stone, which represented 'a
Lion strangled by a Man.' The traveler pointed to it and said: 'See there! How
strong we are, and how we prevail over even the king of beasts.' The Lion
replied: 'This statue was made by one of you men. If we Lions knew how to erect
statues, you would see the Man placed under the paw of the Lion.''
One story is good, till another is told. - It is often said that history is told
by the victors. However, fate comes with many twists. It is important to remember
that where once you may have been the victor, later you can just as easily become
the defeated. So best not to focus on only one story!
For those of you who Want More FUN - Visit The Shangy Fun List! Variety is the
spice of life! The Shangy Fun List is an ezine packed full of Poems, Inspirational and
Heart Warming Stories. Jokes from G to slightly R, and Anything else that just
might make you SMILE! Join In The Free FUN!! ... :)
SHANGRALA'S
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