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The Boy and the Nettles
A boy was stung by a Nettle. He ran home and told his Mother, saying, read more
The Boy and the Nettles
A boy was stung by a Nettle. He ran home and told his Mother, saying, Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it gently. That was just why it stung you, said his Mother. The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you.
Whatever you do, do with all your might.
The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
A herdsman tending his flock in a forest lost a Bull-calf from the read more
The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
A herdsman tending his flock in a forest lost a Bull-calf from the fold. After a long and fruitless search, he made a vow that, if he could only discover the thief who had stolen the Calf, he would offer a lamb in sacrifice to Hermes, Pan, and the Guardian Deities of the forest. Not long afterwards, as he ascended a small hillock, he saw at its foot a Lion feeding on the Calf. Terrified at the sight, he lifted his eyes and his hands to heaven, and said: Just now I vowed to offer a lamb to the Guardian Deities of the forest if I could only find out who had robbed me; but now that I have discovered the thief, I would willingly add a full-grown Bull to the Calf I have lost, if I may only secure my own escape from him in safety.
The Lion in Love
A lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The Father, unwilling to grant, and read more
The Lion in Love
A lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The Father, unwilling to grant, and yet afraid to refuse his request, hit upon this expedient to rid himself of his importunities. He expressed his willingness to accept the Lion as the suitor of his daughter on one condition: that he should allow him to extract his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his daughter was fearfully afraid of both. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal. But when the toothless, clawless Lion returned to repeat his request, the Woodman, no longer afraid, set upon him with his club, and drove him away into the forest.
The Ox and the Frog
An ox drinking at a pool trod on a brood of young frogs and crushed read more
The Ox and the Frog
An ox drinking at a pool trod on a brood of young frogs and crushed one of them to death. The Mother coming up, and missing one of her sons, inquired of his brothers what had become of him. He is dead, dear Mother; for just now a very huge beast with four great feet came to the pool and crushed him to death with his cloven heel. The Frog, puffing herself out, inquired, if the beast was as big as that in size. Cease, Mother, to puff yourself out, said her son, and do not be angry; for you would, I assure you, sooner burst than successfully imitate the hugeness of that monster.
The Hare and the Tortoise
A hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who read more
The Hare and the Tortoise
A hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race. The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
Slow but steady wins the race.
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
The ass and the fox, having entered into partnership together for
their mutual read more
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
The ass and the fox, having entered into partnership together for
their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt. Theyhad
not proceeded far when they met a Lion. The Fox, seeing imminent
danger, approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the
capture of the Ass if the Lion would pledge his word not to harmthe
Fox. Then, upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured,the
Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it.
The Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutchedthe
Fox, and attacked the Ass at his leisure.
The Miser
A miser sold all that he had and bought a lump of gold, which he buried in a read more
The Miser
A miser sold all that he had and bought a lump of gold, which he buried in a hole in the ground by the side of an old wall and went to look at daily. One of his workmen observed his frequent visits to the spot and decided to watch his movements. He soon discovered the secret of the hidden treasure, and digging down, came to the lump of gold, and stole it. The Miser, on his next visit, found the hole empty and began to tear his hair and to make loud lamentations. A neighbor, seeing him overcome with grief and learning the cause, said, Pray do not grieve so; but go and take a stone, and place it in the hole, and fancy that the gold is still lying there. It will do you quite the same service; for when the gold was there, you had it not, as you did not make the slightest use of it.
The Farmer and the Snake
One winter a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion read more
The Farmer and the Snake
One winter a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. Oh, cried the Farmer with his last breath, I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel.
The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful.
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Once upon a time a Wolf resolved to disguise his appearance in order to secure read more
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Once upon a time a Wolf resolved to disguise his appearance in order to secure food more easily. Encased in the skin of a sheep, he pastured with the flock deceiving the shepherd by his costume. In the evening he was shut up by the shepherd in the fold; the gate was closed, and the entrance made thoroughly secure. But the shepherd, returning to the fold during the night to obtain meat for the next day, mistakenly caught up the Wolf instead of a sheep, and killed him instantly.
Harm seek. Harm find.