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Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 2 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE ............................................. 23
TABLE OF CONTENTS A RAVEN AND A SWAN ........................................................... 23
THE TWO GOATS .................................................................... 24
THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS ............................................... 5 THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT ........................................... 24
THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER ....................................... 6 THE LION AND THE GNAT ....................................................... 25
THE FROGS AND THE OX........................................................... 7 THE LEAP AT RHODES ............................................................. 25
THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX ......................................... 7 THE COCK AND THE JEWEL ..................................................... 26
BELLING THE CAT..................................................................... 8 THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL .............................................. 26
THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW ................................................ 9 THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX ............................................... 26
THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS .................................................... 9 THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION .......................................... 27
HERCULES AND THE WAGONER ................................................ 9 THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT .................................. 27
THE KID AND THE WOLF ........................................................ 10 THE WOLF AND THE LAMB ..................................................... 28
THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE ..................... 10 THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP ..................................................... 29
THE FOX AND THE GRAPES ..................................................... 12 THE HARES AND THE FROGS ................................................... 29
THE BUNDLE OF STICKS ......................................................... 12 THE FOX AND THE STORK ....................................................... 29
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE ................................................... 12 THE TRAVELERS AND THE SEA ............................................... 30
THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER ...................................................... 13 THE WOLF AND THE LION ....................................................... 31
THE OXEN AND THE WHEELS ................................................. 14 THE STAG AND HIS REFLECTION............................................. 31
THE LION AND THE MOUSE..................................................... 14 THE PEACOCK ......................................................................... 32
THE GNAT AND THE BULL ...................................................... 15 THE MICE AND THE WEASELS ................................................. 32
THE PLANE TREE .................................................................... 16 THE WOLF AND THE LEAN DOG .............................................. 33
THE FARMER AND THE STORK ................................................ 16 THE LION AND THE ASS .......................................................... 34
THE SHEEP AND THE PIG ......................................................... 17 THE DOG AND HIS MASTER'S DINNER ..................................... 35
THE TRAVELERS AND THE PURSE ........................................... 17 THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED FEATHERS ............. 35
THE LION AND THE ASS .......................................................... 18 THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN............................................ 36
THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING.................................... 18 THE WOLF AND THE ASS......................................................... 36
THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER .......................................... 19 THE MONKEY AND THE CAT ................................................... 37
THE WOLF AND HIS SHADOW ................................................. 20 THE DOGS AND THE HIDES...................................................... 38
THE RAT AND THE ELEPHANT ................................................. 21 THE RABBIT, THE WEASEL, AND THE CAT .............................. 39
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS ..................................................... 21 THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD ................................................... 39
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER ................................................. 22 THE COCK AND THE FOX......................................................... 40
THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER......................................... 22 THE DOG IN THE MANGER ...................................................... 41
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 3 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
THE ASS AND THE GRASSHOPPERS ......................................... 42 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG ......................................................... 62
THE MULE .............................................................................. 42 THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY ............................................. 62
THE CAT, THE COCK, AND THE YOUNG MOUSE ...................... 43 THE CAT AND THE FOX ........................................................... 63
THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD .............................................. 44 THE BOY AND THE NETTLE ..................................................... 63
THE FARMER AND THE CRANES .............................................. 45 THE OLD LION ........................................................................ 63
THE FARMER AND HIS SONS ................................................... 45 TWO TRAVELERS AND A BEAR ................................................ 64
THE TWO POTS ....................................................................... 46 THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES .......................................... 65
THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG ........................................ 47 THE FOX AND THE MONKEY ................................................... 65
THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL ............................................... 48 THE MOTHER AND THE WOLF ................................................. 65
THE FARMER AND THE SNAKE ................................................ 48 THE FLIES AND THE HONEY .................................................... 66
THE SICK STAG....................................................................... 48 THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF .................................. 67
THE GOATHERD AND THE WILD GOATS ................................. 48 THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE ............................................. 67
THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW .................................. 49 THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION ................................................ 68
THE DOG AND THE OYSTER .................................................... 50 THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION .............................................. 69
THE ASTROLOGER .................................................................. 50 THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE ................................................ 69
THREE BULLOCKS AND A LION ............................................... 51 THE BEES AND WASPS, AND THE HORNET .............................. 70
MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN ............................................. 51 THE CAT AND THE OLD RAT ................................................... 71
THE FROG AND THE MOUSE .................................................... 52 THE FOX AND THE CROW ........................................................ 72
THE FOX AND THE CRAB ........................................................ 53 THE ASS AND HIS SHADOW .................................................... 73
THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE ............................................... 53 THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS ...................................... 74
THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING ........................................... 53 THE ANT AND THE DOVE ........................................................ 75
THE BULL AND THE GOAT ...................................................... 54 THE MAN AND THE SATYR ...................................................... 75
THE OLD LION AND THE FOX .................................................. 55 THE WOLF, THE KID, AND THE GOAT...................................... 76
THE MAN AND THE LION ........................................................ 56 THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW .............................................. 77
THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG ................................................... 56 JUPITER AND THE MONKEY ..................................................... 77
THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL ............................................... 57 THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX .......................................... 77
THE GOATHERD AND THE GOAT ............................................. 58 THE LION'S SHARE .................................................................. 78
THE MISER ............................................................................. 58 THE MOLE AND HIS MOTHER ................................................. 78
THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG ........................................... 59 THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN ............................................ 78
THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG ............................................... 59 THE HARE AND HIS EARS ....................................................... 79
THE BAT AND THE WEASELS .................................................. 60 THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP................................................. 80
THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL ..................................................... 61 THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH................................... 81
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 4 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 THE WOLF AND THE KID field, bleating for his mother. But not half-way, near a clump of
trees, there was the Wolf!
There was once a little Kid whose growing horns made The Kid knew there was little hope for him.
him think he was a grown-up Billy Goat and able to take care of "Please, Mr. Wolf," he said trembling," I know you are
himself. So one evening when the flock started home from the going to eat me. But first please pipe me a tune, for I want to
pasture and his mother called, the Kid paid no heed and kept right dance and be merry as long as I can."
on nibbling the tender grass. A little later when he lifted his head,
the flock was gone. The Wolf liked the idea of a little music before eating, so
he struck up a merry tune and the Kid leaped and frisked gaily.
Meanwhile, the flock was moving slowly homeward. In
the still evening air the Wolf's piping carried far. The Shepherd
Dogs pricked up their ears. They recognized the song the Wolf
sings before a feast, and in a moment they were racing back to the
pasture. The Wolf's song ended suddenly, and as he ran, with the
Dogs at his heels, he called himself a fool for turning piper to
please a Kid, when he should have stuck to his butcher's trade.
Do not let anything turn you from your purpose.

THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS

The Tortoise, you know, carries his house on his back. No
matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. They say that
Jupiter punished him so, because he was such a lazy stay-at-home
that he would not go to Jupiter's wedding, even when especially
invited.
After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to
that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and
how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran
nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen,
the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the
THE WOLF AND THE KID world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little
He was all alone. The sun was sinking. Long shadows short legs that could hardly drag him along.
came creeping over the ground. A chilly little wind came creeping One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his
with them making scary noises in the grass. The Kid shivered as trouble.
he thought of the terrible Wolf. Then he started wildly over the
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 5 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "We can help you to see the world," said the Ducks. "Take But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he
hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he
the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or was dashed to pieces on a rock.
you will be sorry." Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.
The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick
firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each
end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.
THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER

Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at "Why in the world do you walk sideways like that?" said a
the strange sight and cried: Mother Crab to her son. "You should always walk straight
forward with your toes turned out."
"This must surely be the King of Tortoises!"
"Show me how to walk, mother dear," answered the little
"Why certainly—" began the Tortoise. Crab obediently, "I want to learn."

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 6 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 So the old Crab tried and tried to walk straight forward. "Oh, much bigger!" they cried.
But she could walk sideways only, like her son. And when she The Frog puffed up still more. "He could not have been
wanted to turn her toes out she tripped and fell on her nose.
bigger than this," she said. But the little Frogs all declared that the
Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good monster was much, much bigger and the old Frog kept puffing
example. herself out more and more until, all at once, she burst.
Do not attempt the impossible.
THE FROGS AND THE OX
THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX
An ox came down to a reedy pool to drink. As he splashed
heavily into the water, he crushed a young Frog into the mud. The A dog and a Cock, who were the best of friends, wished
old Frog soon missed the little one and asked his brothers and very much to see something of the world. So they decided to leave
sisters what had become of him. the farmyard and to set out into the world along the road that led
"A great big monster," said one of them, "stepped on little to the woods. The two comrades traveled along in the very best of
brother with one of his huge feet!" spirits and without meeting any adventure to speak of.
"Big, was he!" said the old Frog, puffing herself up. "Was At nightfall the Cock, looking for a place to roost, as was
he as big as this?" his custom, spied nearby a hollow tree that he thought would do
very nicely for a night's lodging. The Dog could creep inside and
the Cock would f ly up on one of the branches. So said, so done,
and both slept very comfortably.
With the first glimmer of dawn the Cock awoke. For the
moment he forgot just where he was. He thought he was still in
the farmyard where it had been his duty to arouse the household at
daybreak. So standing on tip-toes he flapped his wings and
crowed lustily. But instead of awakening the farmer, he awakened
a Fox not far off in the wood. The Fox immediately had rosy
visions of a very delicious breakfast. Hurrying to the tree where
the Cock was roosting, he said very politely:
"A hearty welcome to our woods, honored sir. I cannot tell
you how glad I am to see you here. I am quite sure we shall
become the closest of friends."
"I feel highly flattered, kind sir," replied the Cock slyly. "If
you will please go around to the door of my house at the foot of
the tree, my porter will let you in."

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 7 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir f rom
their dens by night or day.
Many plans were discussed, but none of there was thought
good enough. At last a very young Mouse got up and said:
"I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be
successful. All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's
neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately
that our enemy is coming."
All the Mice were much surprised that they had not
thought of such a plan before. But in the midst of the rejoicing
over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:
"I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good.
But let me ask one question Who will bell the Cat?"
It is one thing to say that something should be done, but
quite a different matter to do it.

The hungry but unsuspecting Fox, went around the tree as

he was told, and in a twinkling the Dog had seized him.
Those who try to deceive may expect to be paid in their
own coin.

BELLING THE CAT

The mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free
themselves of their enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find
some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have
time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 8 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 The Shepherd saw the fluttering jackdaw and at once
THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW guessed what had happened. Running up, he caught the bird and
clipped its wings. That evening he gave the Jackdaw to his
children.
An eagle, swooping down on powerful wings, seized a
lamb in her talons and made off with it to her nest. A Jackdaw saw "What a funny bird this is!" they said laughing, "what do
the deed, and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big you call it, father?"
and strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. So with much "That is a jackdaw, my children. But if you should ask
rustling of feathers and a fierce air, he came down swiftly on the him, he would say he is an Eagle."
back of a large Ram. But when he tried to rise again he found that
he could not get away, for his claws were tangled in the wool. Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers.
And so far was he from carrying, away the Ram, that the Ram
hardly noticed he was there. THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS
A boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher
to get some filberts. But he took such a great fistful that he could
not draw his hand out again. There he stood, unwilling to give up
a single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed
and disappointed he began to cry.
"My boy," said his mother, "be satisfied with half the nuts
you have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then
perhaps you may have some more filberts some other time."
Do not attempt too much at once.

HERCULES AND THE WAGONER

A farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road
after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through
the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the
wheels sank to the hub in a rut.
The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside
the wagon looking at it but with out making the least effort to get
it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call
loudly on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules
really did appear, saying:

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 9 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your A frisky young Kid had been left by the herdsman on the
horses. Do you think you can move the wagon by simply looking thatched roof of a sheep shelter to keep him out of harm's way.
at it and whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make The Kid was browsing near the edge of the roof, when he spied a
some effort to help yourself." Wolf and began to jeer at him, making faces and abusing him to
his heart's content.
And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and
urged on the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the "I hear you," said the Wolf, "and I haven't the least grudge
Farmer was riding along in great content and with a good lesson against you for what you say or do. When you are up there it is the
learned. roof that's talking, not you."
Self help is the best help. Do not say anything at any time that you would not say at
all times.
Heaven helps those who help themselves.

THE KID AND THE WOLF THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY
MOUSE
A Town Mouse once visited a relative who lived in the
country. For lunch the Country Mouse served wheat stalks, roots,
and acorns, with a dash of cold water for drink. The Town Mouse
ate very sparingly, nibbling a little of this and a little of that, and
by her manner making it very plain that she ate the simple food
only to be polite.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 10 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 After the meal the friends had a long talk, or rather the
Town Mouse talked about her life in the city while the Country
Mouse listened. They then went to bed in a cozy nest in the
hedgerow and slept in quiet and comfort until morning. In her
sleep the Country Mouse dreamed she was a Town Mouse with all
the luxuries and delights of city life that her friend had described
for her. So the next day when the Town Mouse asked the Country
Mouse to go home with her to the city, She gladly said yes.
The Country Mouse stopped in the Town Mouse's den
only long enough to pick up her carpet bag and umbrella.
When they reached the mansion in which the Town Mouse
lived, they found on the table in the dining room the leavings of a
very fine banquet. There were sweetmeats and jellies, pastries,
delicious cheeses, indeed, the most tempting foods that a Mouse
can imagine. But just as the Country Mouse was about to nibble a
dainty bit of pastry, she heard a Cat mew loudly and scratch at the
door. I n great fear the Mice scurried to a hiding place, where they
lay quite still for a long time, hardly daring to breathe. When at
last they ventured back to the feast, the door opened suddenly and
in came the servants to clear the table, followed by the House
Dog.
"You may have luxuries and dainties that I have not," she
said as she hurried away, "but I prefer my plain food and simple
life in the country with the peace and security that go with it."
Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of
fear and uncertainty.

THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 11 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "What a fool I am," he said. "Here I am wearing myself
THE FOX AND THE GRAPES out to get a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for."
And off he walked very, very scornfully.
A Fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that
hanging from a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The which is beyond their reach.
grapes seemed ready to burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth
watered as he gazed longingly at them.
THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to
jump for it, The first time he jumped he missed it by a long way. A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever
So he walked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the least
only to fall short once more. Again and again he tried, but in vain. good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking example
that should make them see that discord would lead them to
misfortune.
One day when the quarreling had been much more violent
than usual and each of the Sons was moping in a surly manner, he
asked one of them to bring him a bundle of sticks. Then handing
the bundle to each of his Sons in turn he told them to try to break
it. But although each one tried his best, none was able to do so.
The Father then untied the bundle and gave the sticks to
his Sons to break one by one. This they did very easily.
"My Sons," said the Father, "do you not see how certain it
is that if you agree with each other and help each other, it will be
impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divided
among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in
that bundle."
In unity is strength.

THE WOLF AND THE CRANE

A wolf had been feasting too greedily, and a bone had
stuck crosswise in his throat. He could get it neither up nor down,
and of course he could not eat a thing. Naturally that was an awful
state of affairs for a greedy Wolf.
Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 12 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 So away he hurried to the Crane. He was sure that she, "But what about my reward!" called the Crane anxiously.
with her long neck and bill, would easily be able to reach the bone "What!" snarled the Wolf, whirling around. "Haven't you got it?
and pull it out. Isn't it enough that I let you take your head out of my mouth
without snapping it off?"
Expect no reward for serving the wicked.

THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER

An Ass was being driven along a road leading down the
mountain side, when he suddenly took it into his silly head to
choose his own path. He could see his stall at the foot of the
mountain, and to him the quickest way down seemed to be over
the edge of the nearest cliff. Just as he was about to leap over, his
master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the
stubborn Ass would not yield and pulled with all his might.

"I will reward you very handsomely," said the Wolf, "if
you pull that bone out for me."
The Crane, as you can imagine, was very uneasy about
putting her head in a Wolf's throat. But she was grasping in
nature, so she did what the Wolf asked her to do.
When the Wolf felt that the bone was gone, he started to
walk away.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 13 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Very well," said his master, "go your way, you willful Some days later, while stalking his prey in the forest, the
beast, and see where it leads you." With that he let go, and the Lion was caught in the toils of a hunter's net. Unable to free
foolish Ass tumbled head over heels down the mountain side. himself, he filled the forest with his angry roaring. The Mouse
knew the voice and quickly found the Lion struggling in the net.
They who will not listen to reason but stubbornly go their
Running to one of the great ropes that bound him, she gnawed it
own way against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than
until it parted, and soon the Lion was free.
they, are on the road to misfortune.

THE OXEN AND THE WHEELS

A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded wagon
along a miry country road. They had to use all their strength to
pull the wagon, but they did not complain. The Wheels of the
wagon were of a different sort. Though the task they had to do
was very light compared with that of the Oxen, they creaked and
groaned at every turn. The poor Oxen, pulling with all their might
to draw the wagon through the deep mud, had their ears filled with
the loud complaining of the Wheels. And this, you may well
know, made their work so much the harder to endure.
"Silence!" the Oxen cried at last, out of patience. "What
have you Wheels to complain about so loudly? We are drawing all
the weight. not you, and we are keeping still about it besides."
They complain most who suffer least. "You laughed when I said I would repay you," said the
Mouse. "Now you see that even a Mouse can help a Lion."
THE LION AND THE MOUSE A kindness is never wasted.

A Lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF
his paws. A timid little Mouse came upon him unexpectedly, and
in her fright and haste to get away, ran across the Lion's nose. A Shepherd Boy tended his master's Sheep near a dark
Roused from his nap, the Lion laid his huge paw angrily on the forest not far from the village. Soon he found life in the pasture
tiny creature to kill her. very dull. All he could do to amuse himself was to talk to his dog
"Spare me!" begged the poor Mouse. "Please let me go and or play on his shepherd's pipe.
some day I will surely repay you." One day as he sat watching the Sheep and the quiet forest,
The Lion was much amused to think that a Mouse could and thinking what he would do should he see a Wolf, he thought
ever help him. But he was generous and finally let the Mouse go. of a plan to amuse himself.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 14 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 His Master had told him to call for help should a Wolf A few days later the Shepherd Boy again shouted, "Wolf!
attack the flock, and the Villagers would drive it away. So now, Wolf!" Again the Villagers ran to help him, only to be laughed at
though he had not seen anything that even looked like a Wolf, he again. Then one evening as the sun was setting behind the forest
ran toward the village shouting at the top of his voice,"Wolf! and the shadows were creeping out over the pasture, a Wolf really
Wolf!" did spring from the underbrush and fall upon the Sheep.
As he expected, the Villagers who heard the cry dropped In terror the Boy ran toward the village shouting "Wolf!
their work and ran in great excitement to the pasture. But when Wolf!" But though the Villagers heard the cry, they did not run to
they got there they found the Boy doubled up with laughter at the help him as they had before. "He cannot fool us again," they said.
trick he had played on them. The Wolf killed a great many of the Boy's sheep and then
slipped away into the forest.
Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.

THE GNAT AND THE BULL

A Gnat flew over the meadow with much buzzing for so

small a creature and settled on the tip of one of the horns of a
Bull. After he had rested a short time, he made ready to fly away.
But before he left he begged the Bull's pardon for having used his
horn for a resting place.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 15 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "You must be very glad to have me go now," he said. "Ungrateful creatures!" said a voice from the Plane Tree.
"You lie here in my cooling shade, and yet you say I am useless!
"It's all the same to me," replied the Bull. "I did not even
Thus ungratefully, O Jupiter, do men receive their blessings!"
know you were there."
Our best blessings are often the least appreciated.
We are often of greater importance in our own eyes than
in the eyes of our neighbor.
The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. THE FARMER AND THE STORK

THE PLANE TREE

A Stork of a very simple and trusting nature had been

asked by a gay party of Cranes to visit a field that had been newly
planted. But the party ended dismally with all the birds entangled
in the meshes of the Farmer's net.
Two travellers, walking in the noonday sun, sought the The Stork begged the Farmer to spare him.
shade of a widespreading tree to rest. As they lay looking up "Please let me go," he pleaded. "I belong to the Stork
among the pleasant leaves, they saw that it was a Plane Tree. family who you know are honest and birds of good character.
"How useless is the Plane!" said one of them. "It bears no Besides, I did not know the Cranes were going to steal."
fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves."

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 16 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "You may be a very good bird," answered the Farmer, "but prize under his arm and started off to the butcher's in the market
I caught you with the thieving Cranes and you will have to share place.
the same punishment with them."
The Sheep in the pasture were much astonished and
You are judged by the company you keep. amused at the Pig's behavior, and followed the Shepherd and his
charge to the pasture gate.
THE SHEEP AND THE PIG "What makes you squeal like that?" asked one of the
Sheep. "The Shepherd often catches and carries off one of us. But
we should feel very much ashamed to make such a terrible fuss
about it like you do."
"That is all very well," replied the Pig, with a squeal and a
frantic kick. "When he catches you he is only after your wool. But
he wants my bacon! gree-ee-ee !"
It is easy to be brave when there is no danger.

THE TRAVELERS AND THE PURSE

Two men were traveling in company along the road when
one of them picked up a well-filled purse.
"How lucky I am!" he said. "I have found a purse. Judging
by its weight it must be full of gold."
"Do not say 'I have found a purse,'" said his companion.
"Say rather 'we have found a purse' and 'how lucky we are.'
Travelers ought to share alike the fortunes or misfortunes of the
road."
"No, no," replied the other angrily. "I found it and I am
going to keep it."
Just then they heard a shout of "Stop, thief!" and looking
One day a shepherd discovered a fat Pig in the meadow around, saw a mob of people armed with clubs coming down the
where his Sheep were pastured. He very quickly captured the road.
porker, which squealed at the top of its voice the moment the
The man who had found the purse fell into a panic.
Shepherd laid his hands on it. You would have thought, to hear
the loud squealing, that the Pig was being cruelly hurt. But in spite "We are lost if they find the purse on us," he cried.
of its squeals and struggles to escape, the Shepherd tucked his

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 17 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "No, no," replied the other, "You would not say 'we'
before, so now stick to your 'I'. Say 'I am lost.'"
THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING
We cannot expect any one to share our misfortunes unless The Frogs were tired of governing themselves. They had
we are willing to share our good fortune also. so much freedom that it had spoiled them, and they did nothing
but sit around croaking in a bored manner and wishing for a
government that could entertain them with the pomp and display
of royalty, and rule them in a way to make them know they were
being ruled. No milk and water government for them, they
declared. So they sent a petition to Jupiter asking for a king.

THE LION AND THE ASS

One day as the Lion walked proudly down a forest aisle,
and the animals respectfully made way for him, an Ass brayed a
scornful remark as he passed.
The Lion felt a flash of anger. But when he turned his head Jupiter saw what simple and foolish creatures they were,
and saw who had spoken, he walked quietly on. He would not but to keep them quiet and make them think they had a king he
honor the fool with even so much as a stroke of his claws. threw down a huge log, which fell into the water with a great
Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them. splash. The Frogs hid themselves among the reeds and grasses,

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 18 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

thinking the new king to be some fearful giant. But they soon
discovered how tame and peaceable King Log was. In a short time
the younger Frogs were using him for a diving platform, while the
older Frogs made him a meeting place, where they complained
loudly to Jupiter about the government.
To teach the Frogs a lesson the ruler of the gods now sent
a Crane to be king of Frogland. The Crane proved to be a very
different sort of king from old King Log. He gobbled up the poor
Frogs right and left and they soon saw what fools they had been.
In mournful croaks they begged Jupiter to take away the cruel
tyrant before they should all be destroyed.
"How now!" cried Jupiter "Are you not yet content? You
have what you asked for and so you have only yourselves to
blame for your misfortunes."
Be sure you can better your condition before you seek to
change.

THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER

The Owl always takes her sleep during the day. Then after
sundown, when the rosy light fades from the sky and the shadows
rise slowly through the wood, out she comes ruffling and blinking
from the old hollow tree. Now her weird "hoo-hoo-hoo-oo-oo"
echoes through the quiet wood, and she begins her hunt for the
bugs and beetles, frogs and mice she likes so well to eat.
Now there was a certain old Owl who had become very
cross and hard to please as she grew older, especially if anything
disturbed her daily slumbers. One warm summer afternoon as she But the Grasshopper answered saucily that he had as much
dozed away in her den in the old oak tree, a Grasshopper nearby right to his place in the sun as the Owl had to her place in the old
began a joyous but very raspy song. Out popped the old Owl's oak. Then he struck up a louder and still more rasping tune.
head from the opening in the tree that served her both for door and The wise old Owl knew quite well that it would do no
for window. good to argue with the Grasshopper, nor with anybody else for
"Get away from here, sir," she said to the Grasshopper. that matter. Besides, her eyes were not sharp enough by day to
"Have you no manners? You should at least respect my age and permit her to punish the Grasshopper as he deserved. So she laid
leave me to sleep in quiet!" aside all hard words and spoke very kindly to him.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 19 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 THE WOLF AND HIS SHADOW
A Wolf left his lair one evening in fine spirits and an
excellent appetite. As he ran, the setting sun cast his shadow far
out on the ground, and it looked as if the wolf were a hundred
times bigger than he really was.

"Well sir," she said, "if I must stay awake, I am going to

settle right down to enjoy your singing. Now that I think of it, I
have a wonderful wine here, sent me from Olympus, of which I
am told Apollo drinks before he sings to the high gods. Please
come up and taste this delicious drink with me. I know it will
make you sing like Apollo himself."
The foolish Grasshopper was taken in by the Owl's
flattering words. Up he jumped to the Owl's den, but as soon as he "Why," exclaimed the Wolf proudly, "see how big I am!
was near enough so the old Owl could see him clearly, she Fancy me running away from a puny Lion! I'll show him who is
pounced upon him and ate him up. fit to be king, he or I."
Flattery is not a proof of true admiration. Just then an immense shadow blotted him out entirely, and
the next instant a Lion struck him down with a single blow.
Do not let flattery throw you off your guard against an
enemy. Do not let your fancy make you forget realities.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 20 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE OAK AND THE REEDS THE RAT AND THE ELEPHANT
A Giant Oak stood near a brook in which grew some A Rat was traveling along the king's highway. He was a
slender Reeds. When the wind blew, the great Oak stood proudly very proud Rat, considering his small size and the bad reputation
upright with its hundred arms uplifted to the sky. But the Reeds all Rats have. As Mr. Rat walked along—he kept mostly to the
bowed low in the wind and sang a sad and mournful song. ditch—he noticed a great commotion up the road, and soon a
grand procession came in view. It was the King and his retinue.
"You have reason to complain," said the Oak. "The
slightest breeze that ruffles the surface of the water makes you The King rode on a huge Elephant adorned with the most
bow your heads, while I, the mighty Oak, stand upright and firm gorgeous trappings. With the Ding in his luxurious howdah were
before the howling tempest." the royal Dog and Cat. great crowd of people followed the
procession. They were so taken up with admiration of the
Elephant, that the Rat was not noticed. His pride was hurt.
"What fools!" he cried. "Look at me, and you will soon
forget that clumsy Elephant! Is it his great size that makes your
eyes pop out? Or is it his wrinkled hide? Why, I have eyes and
ears and as many legs as he! I am of just as much importance,
and"— But just then the royal Cat spied him, and the next instant,
the Rat knew he was not quite so important as an Elephant.
A resemblance to the great in some things does not make
us great.

THE BOYS AND THE FROGS

"Do not worry about us," replied the Reeds. "The winds do
Some Boys were playing one day at the edge of a pond in
not harm us. We bow before them and so we do not break. You, in
which lived a family of Frogs. The Boys amused themselves by
all your pride and strength, have so far resisted their blows. But
throwing stones into the pond so as to make them skip on top of
the end is coming."
the water.
As the Reeds spoke a great hurricane rushed out of the
The stones were flying thick and fast and the Boys were
north. The Oak stood proudly and fought against the storm, while
enjoying themselves very much; but the poor Frogs in the pond
the yielding Reeds bowed low. The wind redoubled in fury, and
were trembling with fear.
all at once the great tree fell, torn up by the roots, and lay among
the pitying Reeds. At last one of the Frogs, the oldest and bravest, put his
head out of the water, and said, "Oh, please, dear children, stop
Better to yield when it is folly to resist, than to resist
your cruel play! Though it may be fun for you, it means death to
stubbornly and be destroyed.
us!"

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 21 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 Always stop to think whether your fun may not be the
cause of another's unhappiness.

THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER

One bright day in late autumn a family of Ants were
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER bustling about in the warm sunshine, dry ing out the grain they
had stored up during the summer, when a starving Grasshopper,
In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very his fiddle under his arm, came up and humbly begged for a bite to
little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in eat.
it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter "What!" cried the Ants in surprise, "haven't you stored
how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing
felt as if he must die of thirst. all last summer?"
Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, "I did n't have time to store up any food," whined the
he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the Grasshopper; "I was so busy making music that before I knew it
water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he the summer was gone.
could drink.
In a pinch a good use of our wits may help us out.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 22 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 With his head full of this foolish idea, he became so puffed
up with pride and vanity that he halted and started to bray loudly.
But in the midst of his song, his driver guessed what the Ass had
got into his head, and began to beat him unmercifully with a stick.
"Go along with you, you stupid Ass," he cried. "The honor
is not meant for you but for the image you are carrying.
Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to
others.

A RAVEN AND A SWAN

The Ants shrugged their shoulders in disgust.

"Making music, were you?" they cried. "Very well; now
dance!" And they turned their backs on the Grasshopper and went
on with their work.
There's a time for work and a time for play.

THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE

A sacred Image was being carried to the temple. It was A Raven, which you know is black as coal, was envious of
mounted on an Ass adorned with garlands and gorgeous trappings, the Swan, because her feathers were as white as the purest snow.
and a grand procession of priests and pages followed it through The foolish bird got the idea that if he lived like the Swan,
the streets. As the Ass walked along, the people bowed their heads swimming and diving all day long and eating the weeds and plants
reverently or fell on their knees, and the Ass thought the honor that grow in the water, his feathers would turn white like the
was being paid to himself. Swan's.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 23 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 So he left his home in the woods and fields and flew down One set her foot on the log. The other did likewise. In the
to live on the lakes and in the marshes. But though he washed and middle they met horn to horn. Neither would give way, and so
washed all day long, almost drowning himself at it, his feathers they both fell, to be swept away by the roaring torrent below.
remained as black as ever. And as the water weeds he ate did not It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through
agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died. stubbornness.
A change of habits will not alter nature.
THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT
THE TWO GOATS
Two Goats, frisking gayly on the rocky steeps of a
mountain valley, chanced to meet, one on each side of a deep
chasm through which poured a mighty mountain torrent. The
trunk of a fallen tree formed the only means of crossing the
chasm, and on this not even two squirrels could have passed each
other in safety. The narrow path would have made the bravest
tremble. Not so our Goats. Their pride would not permit either to
stand aside for the other.

A Merchant, driving his Ass homeward from the seashore

with a heavy load of salt, came to a river crossed by a shallow
ford. They had crossed this river many times before without
accident, but this time the Ass slipped and fell when halfway over.
And when the Merchant at last got him to his feet, much of the

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 24 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

salt had melted away. Delighted to find how much lighter his
burden had become, the Ass finished the journey very gayly.
Next day the Merchant went for another load of salt. On
the way home the Ass, remembering what had happened at the
ford, purposely let himself fall into the water, and again got rid of
most of his burden.
The angry Merchant immediately turned about and drove
the Ass back to the seashore, where he loaded him with two great
baskets of sponges. At the ford the Ass again tumbled over; but
when he had scrambled to his feet, it was a very disconsolate Ass
that dragged himself homeward under a load ten times heavier
than before.
The same measures will not suit all circumstances.

THE LION AND THE GNAT

"Away with you, vile insect!" said a Lion angrily to a Gnat
that was buzzing around his head. But the Gnat was not in the
least disturbed.
"Do you think," he said spitefully to the Lion, "that I am THE LEAP AT RHODES
afraid of you because they call you king?"
The next instant he flew at the Lion and stung him sharply A certain man who visited foreign lands could talk of little
on the nose. Mad with rage, the Lion struck fiercely at the Gnat, when he returned to his home except the wonderful adventures he
but only succeeded in tearing himself with his claws. Again and had met with and the great deeds he had done abroad.
again the Gnat stung the Lion, who now was roaring terribly. At One of the f eats he told about was a leap he had made in a
last, worn out with rage and covered with wounds that his own city called Rhodes. That leap was so great, he said, that no other
teeth and claws had made, the Lion gave up the fight. man could leap anywhere near the distance. A great many persons
The Gnat buzzed away to tell the whole world about his in Rhodes had seen him do it and would prove that what he told
victory, but instead he flew straight into a spider's web. And there, was true.
he who had defeated the King of beasts came to a miserable end, "No need of witnesses," said one of the hearers. "Suppose
the prey of a little spider. this city is Rhodes. Now show us how far you can jump."
The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared. Deeds count, not boasting words.
Pride over a success should not throw us off our guard.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 25 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE COCK AND THE JEWEL indeed, and the animals were all highly pleased with his grace and
lightness.
A cock was busily scratching and scraping about to find The praise that was showered on the Monkey made the
something to eat for himself and his family, when he happened to Camel envious. He was very sure that he could dance quite as well
turn up a precious jewel that had been lost by its owner. as the Monkey, if not better, so he pushed his way into the crowd
that was gathered around the Monkey, and rising on his hind legs,
"Aha!" said the Cock. "No doubt you are very costly and
began to dance. But the big hulking Camel made himself very
he who lost you would give a great deal to find you. But as for
ridiculous as he kicked out his knotty legs and twisted his long
me, I would choose a single grain of barleycorn before all the
clumsy neck. Besides, the animals found i t hard to keep their toes
jewels in the world."
from under his heavy hoofs.
Precious things are without value to those who cannot
At last, when one of his huge feet came within an inch of
prize them.
King Lion's nose, the animals were so disgusted that they set upon
the Camel in a rage and drove him out into the desert.
THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL Shortly afterward, refreshments, consisting mostly of
Camel's hump and ribs, were served to the company.
Do not try to ape your betters.

THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX

A Wild Boar was sharpening his tusks busily against the
stump of a tree, when a Fox happened by. Now the Fox was
always looking for a chance to make fun of his neighbors. So he
made a great show of looking anxiously about, as if in fear of
some hidden enemy. But the Boar kept right on with his work.
"Why are you doing that?" asked the Fox at last with a
grin. "There isn't any danger that I can see.
"True enough," replied the Boar, "but when danger does
come there will not be time for such work as this. My weapons
will have to be ready for use then, or I shall suffer for it."
Preparedness for war is the best guarantee of peace.

At a great celebration in honor of King Lion, the Monkey

was asked to dance for the company. His dancing was very clever
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 26 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "I made him promise not to hurt us," said the Fox. "But
come, I know a good place to hide till he is gone."
So the Fox led the Ass into a deep pit. But when the Lion
saw that the Ass was his for the taking, he first of all struck down
the traitor Fox.
Traitors may expect treachery.

THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT

The Birds and the Beasts declared war against each other.
No compromise was possible, and so they went at it tooth and
claw. I t is said the quarrel grew out of the persecution the race of
Geese suffered at the teeth of the Fox family. The Beasts, too, had
cause for fight. The Eagle was constantly pouncing on the Hare,
and the Owl dined daily on Mice.
It was a terrible battle. Many a Hare and many a Mouse
died. Chickens and Geese fell by the score—and the victor always
stopped for a feast.
THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION Now the Bat family had not openly joined either side.
They were a very politic race. So when they saw the Birds getting
An Ass and a Fox had become close comrades, and were the better of it, they were Birds for all there was in it. But when
constantly in each other's company. While the Ass cropped a fresh the tide of battle turned, they immediately sided with the Beasts.
bit of greens, the Fox would devour a chicken from the
neighboring farmyard or a bit of cheese filched from the dairy. When the battle was over, the conduct of the Bats was
One day the pair, unexpectedly met a Lion. The Ass was very discussed at the peace conference. Such deceit was unpardonable,
much frightened, but the Fox calmed his fears. and Birds and Beasts made common cause to drive out the Bats.
And since then the Bat family hides in dark towers and deserted
"I will talk to him," he said. ruins, flying out only in the night.
So the Fox walked boldly up to the Lion. The deceitful have no friends.
"Your highness," he said in an undertone, so the Ass could
not hear him, "I've got a fine scheme in nay head. If you promise
not to hurt me, I will lead that foolish creature yonder into a pit
where he can't get out, and you can feast at your pleasure."
The Lion agreed and the Fox returned to the Ass.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 27 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE LION, THE BEAR AND THE FOX THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
Just as a great Bear rushed to seize a stray kid, a Lion A stray Lamb stood drinking early one morning on the
leaped from another direction upon the same prey. The two fought bank of a woodland stream. That very same morning a hungry
furiously for the prise until they had received so many wounds Wolf came by farther up the stream, hunting for something to eat.
that both sank down unable to continue the battle. He soon got his eyes on the Lamb. As a rule Mr. Wolf snapped up
such delicious morsels without making any bones about it, but this
Just then a Fox dashed up, and seizing the kid, made off
Lamb looked so very helpless and innocent that the Wolf felt he
with it as fast as he could go, while the Lion and the Bear looked
ought to have some kind of an excuse for taking its life.
on in helpless rage.
"How dare you paddle around in my stream and stir up all
"How much better it would have been," they said, "to have
the mud!" he shouted fiercely. "You deserve to be punished
shared in a friendly spirit."
severely for your rashness!"
Those who have all the toil do not always get the profit.

"But, your highness," replied the trembling Lamb, "do not

be angry! I cannot possibly muddy the water you are drinking up
there. Remember, you are upstream and I am downstream."
"You do muddy it!" retorted the Wolf savagely. "And
besides, I have heard that you told lies about me last year!"
"How could I have done so?" pleaded the Lamb. "I wasn't
born until this year."
"If it wasn't you, it was your brother!"
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 28 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "I have no brothers. However unfortunate we may think we are there is always
someone worse off than ourselves.
"Well, then," snarled the Wolf, "It was someone in your
family anyway. But no matter who it was, I do not intend to be
talked out of my breakfast." And without more words the Wolf
seized the poor Lamb and carried her off to the forest.
The tyrant can always find an excuse for his tyranny.
The unjust will not listen to the reasoning of the innocent.

THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP

A Wolf had been hurt in a fight with a Bear. He was
unable to move and could not satisfy his hunger and thirst. A
Sheep passed by near his hiding place, and the Wolf called to him,
"Please fetch me a drink of water," he begged; "that might
give me strength enough so I can get me some solid food."
"Solid food!" said the Sheep. "That means me, I suppose.
If I should bring you a drink, it would only serve to wash me
down your throat. Don't talk to me about a drink!"
A knave's hypocrisy is easily seen through.

THE HARES AND THE FROGS THE FOX AND THE STORK
The Fox one day thought of a plan to amuse himself at the
Hares, as you know, are very timid. The least shadow,
expense of the Stork, at whose odd appearance he was always
sends them scurrying in fright to a hiding place. Once they
laughing.
decided to die rather than live in such misery. But while they were
debating how best to meet death, they thought they heard a noise "You must come and dine with me today," he said to the
and in a flash were scampering off to the warren. On the way they Stork, smiling to himself at the trick he was going to play. The
passed a pond where a family of Frogs was sitting among the Stork gladly accepted the invitation and arrived in good time and
reeds on the bank. In an instant the startled Frogs were seeking with a very good appetite.
safety in the mud. For dinner the Fox served soup. But it was set out in a very
"Look," cried a Hare, "things are not so bad after all, for shallow dish, and all the Stork could do was to wet the very tip of
here are creatures who are even afraid of us!" his bill. Not a drop of soup could he get. But the Fox lapped it up
easily, and, to increase the disappointment of the Stork, made a
great show of enjoyment.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 29 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 The hungry Stork was much displeased at the trick, but he
was a calm, even-tempered fellow and saw no good in flying into THE TRAVELERS AND THE SEA
a rage. Instead, not long afterward, he invited the Fox to dine with
him in turn. The Fox arrived promptly at the time that had been Two Travelers were walling along the seashore. Far out
set, and the Stork served a fish dinner that had a very appetizing they saw something riding on the waves.
smell. But it was served in a tall jar with a very narrow neck. The
Stork could easily get at the food with his long bill, but all the Fox "Look," said one, "a great ship rides in from distant lands,
could do was to lick the outside of the jar, and sniff at the bearing rich treasures!"
delicious odor. And when the Fox lost his temper, the Stork said The object they saw came ever nearer the shore.
calmly:
"No," said the other, "that is not a treasure ship. That is
Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand some fisherman's skiff, with the day's catch of savoury fish."
the same treatment yourself.
Still nearer came the object. The waves washed it up on
shore.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 30 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "It is a chest of gold lost from some wreck," they cried. The Lion looked back, but as the Wolf was too far away to
Both Travelers rushed to the beach. but there they found nothing be taught a lesson without too much inconvenience, he said:
but a water-soaked log.
"Your property? Did you buy it, or did the Shepherd make
Do not let your hopes carry you away from reality. you a gift of it? Pray tell me, how did you get it?"
What is evil won is evil lost.
THE WOLF AND THE LION
THE STAG AND HIS REFLECTION
A Wolf had stolen a Lamb and was carrying it off to his
lair to eat it. But his plans were very much changed when he met a A Stag, drinking from a crystal spring, saw himself
lion, who, without making any excuses, took the Lamb away from mirrored in the clear water. He greatly admired the graceful arch
him. of his antlers, but he was very much ashamed of his spindling
The Wolf made off to a safe distance, and then said in a legs.
much injured tone
"You have no right to take my property like that!"

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 31 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "How can it be," he sighed, "that I should be cursed with The Peacock, they say, did not at first have the beautiful
such legs when I have so magnificent a crown." feathers in which he now takes so much pride. These, Juno, whose
favorite he was, granted to him one day when he begged her for a
At that moment he scented a panther and in an instant was
train of feathers to distinguish him from the other birds. Then,
bounding away through the forest. But as he ran his wide-
decked in his finery, gleaming with emerald, gold, purple, and
spreading antlers caught in the branches of the trees, and soon the
azure, he strutted proudly among the birds. All regarded him with
Panther overtook him. Then the Stag perceived that the legs of
envy. Even the most beautiful pheasant could see that his beauty
which he was so ashamed would have saved him had it not been
was surpassed.
for the useless ornaments on his head.
Presently the Peacock saw an Eagle soaring high up in the
We often make much of the ornamental and despise the
blue sky and felt a desire to fly, as he had been accustomed to do.
useful.
Lifting his wings he tried to rise from the ground. But the weight
of his magnificent train held him down. Instead of flying up to
THE PEACOCK greet the first rays of the morning sun or to bathe in the rosy light
among the floating clouds at sunset, he would have to walk the
ground more encumbered and oppressed than any common
barnyard fowl.
Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and
show.

THE MICE AND THE WEASELS

The Weasels and the Mice were always up in arms against
each other. In every battle the Weasels carried off the victory, as
well as a large number of the Mice, which they ate for dinner next
day. In despair the Mice called a council, and there it was decided
that the Mouse army was always beaten because it had no leaders.
So a large number of generals and commanders were appointed
from among the most eminent Mice.
To distinguish themselves from the soldiers in the ranks,
the new leaders proudly bound on their heads lofty crests and
ornaments of feathers or straw. Then after long preparation of the
Mouse army in all the ants of war, they sent a challenge to the
Weasels.
The Weasels accepted the challenge with eagerness, for
they were always ready for a fight when a meal was in sight. They

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 32 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

immediately attacked the Mouse army in large numbers. Soon the "Let me remind your lordship," said the Dog, his words
Mouse line gave way before the attack and the whole army fled interrupted now and then as he dodged a snap of the Wolf's teeth,
for cover. The privates easily slipped into their holes, but the "how unpleasant it would be to eat me now. Look at my ribs. I am
Mouse leaders could not squeeze through the narrow openings nothing but skin and bone. But let me tell you something in
because of their headdresses. Not one escaped the teeth of the private. In a few days my master will give a wedding feast for his
hungry Weasels. only daughter. You can guess how fine and fat I will grow on the
scraps from the table. Then is the time to eat me."
Greatness has its penalties.
The Wolf could not help thinking how nice it would be to
have a fine fat Dog to eat instead of the scrawny object before
him. So he went away pulling in his belt and promising to return.
Some days later the Wolf came back for the promised
feast. He found the Dog in his master's yard, and asked him to
come out and be eaten.
"Sir," said the Dog, with a grin, "I shall be delighted to
have you eat me. I'll be out as soon as the porter opens the door."
But the "porter" was a huge Dog whom the Wolf knew by
painful experience to be very unkind toward wolves. So he
decided not to wait and made off as fast as his legs could carry
him.
Do not depend on the promises of those whose interest it is
to deceive you.
Take what you can get when you can get it.

THE WOLF AND THE LEAN DOG

A Wolf prowling near a village one evening met a Dog. It
happened to be a very lean and bony Dog, and Master Wolf would
have turned up his nose at such meager fare had he not been more
hungry than usual. So. he began to edge toward the Dog, while the
Dog backed away.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 33 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 CHAPTER LVI
THE FOX AND THE LION
THE LION AND THE ASS
A very young Fox, who had never before seen a Lion,
happened to meet one in the forest. A single look was enough to A Lion and an Ass agreed to go hunting together. In their
send the Fox off at top speed for the nearest hiding place. search for game the hunters saw a number of Wild Goats run into
The second time the Fox saw the Lion he stopped behind a a cave, and laid plans to catch them. The Ass was to go into the
tree to look at him a moment before slinking away. But the third cave and drive the Goats out, while the Lion would stand at the
time, the Fox went boldly up to the Lion and, without turning a entrance to strike them down.
hair, said, "Hello, there, old top." The plan worked beautifully. The Ass made such a
Familiarity breeds contempt. frightful din in the cave, kicking and braying with all his might,
that the Goats came running out in a panic of fear, only to fall
Acquaintance with evil blinds us to its dangers.
victim to the Lion.
The Ass came proudly out of the cave.
"Did you see how I made them run?" he said.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 34 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Yes, indeed," answered the Lion, "and if I had not known
you and your kind I should certainly have run, too."
The loud-mouthed boaster does not impress nor frighten
those who know him.

THE DOG AND HIS MASTER'S DINNER

A Dog had learned to carry his master's dinner to him
every day. He was very faithful to his duty, though the smell of
the good things in the basket tempted him.
The Dogs in the neighborhood noticed him carrying the
basket and soon discovered what was in it. They made several
attempts to steal it from him. But he always guarded it faithfully.
Then one day all the Dogs in the neigrllborhood got
together and met him on his way with the basket. The Dog tried to
run away from them. But at last he stopped to argue.
That was his mistake. They soon made him feel so
ridiculous that he dropped the basket and seized a large piece of
roast meat intended for his master's dinner. "Very well," he said,
"you divide the rest."
Do not stop to argue with temptation.

THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED Dressed in his borrowed finery he strutted loftily among
FEATHERS the birds of his own kind. Then he flew down into the garden
among the Peacocks. But they soon saw who he was. Angry at the
cheat, they 'flew at him, plucking away the borrowed feathers and
A Jackdaw chanced to fly over the garden of the King's
also some of his own.
palace. There he saw with much wonder and envy a flock of royal
Peacocks in all the glory of their splendid plumage. The poor Jackdaw returned sadly to his former
companions. There another unpleasant sur prise awaited him.
Now the black Jackdaw was not a very handsome bird, nor
They had not forgotten his superior airs toward them, and, to
very refined in manner. Yet he imagined that all he needed to
punish him, they drove him away with a rain of pecks and jeers.
make himself fit for the society of the Peacocks was a dress like
theirs. So he picked up some castoff feathers of the Peacocks and Borrowed feathers do not make fine birds.
stuck them among his own black plumes.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 35 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN "You are a citizen of illustrious Athens, are you not?"
asked the Dolphin politely.
It happened once upon a time that a certain Greek ship "Yes," answered the Monkey, proudly. "My family is one
bound for Athens was wrecked off the coast close to Piraeus, the of the noblest in the city."
port of Athens. Had it not been for the Dolphins, who at that time "Indeed," said the Dolphin. "Then of course you often visit
were very friendly toward mankind and especially toward Piraeus."
Athenians, all would have perished. But the Dolphins took the
ship- wrecked people on their backs and swam with them to shore. "Yes, yes," replied the Mon- key. "Indeed, I do. I am with
him constantly. Piraeus is my very best friend."
Now it was the custom among the Greeks to take their pet
monkeys and dogs with them when ever they went on a voyage. This answer took the Dolphin by surprise, and, turning his
So when one of the Dolphins saw a Monkey struggling in the head, he now saw what it was he was carrying. Without more ado,
water, he thought it was a man, and made the Monkey climb up on he dived and left the foolish Monkey to take care of himself, while
his back. Then off he swam with him toward the shore. he swam off in search of some human being to save.
The Monkey sat up, grave and dignified, on the Dolphin's One falsehood leads to another.
back.
THE WOLF AND THE ASS
An Ass was feeding in a pasture near a wood when he saw
a Wolf lurking in the shadows along the hedge. He easily guessed
what the Wolf had in mind, and thought of a plan to save himself.
So he pretended he was lame, and began to hobble painfully.
When the Wolf came up, he asked the Ass what had made
him lame, and the Ass replied that he had stepped on a sharp
thorn.
"Please pull it out," he pleaded, groaning as if inpain. "If
you do not, it might stick in your throat when you eat me."
The Wolf saw the wisdom of the advice, for he wanted to
enjoy his meal without any danger of choking. So the Ass lifted
up his foot and the Wolf began to search very closely and
carefully for the thorn.
Just then the Ass kicked out with all his might, tumbling
the Wolf a dozen paces away. And while the Wolf was getting
very slowly and painfully to his feet, the Ass galloped away in
safety.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 36 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 As fast as she pulled the chestnuts out of the f ire, the Monkey ate
them up.

"Serves me right," growled the Wolf as he crept into the

bushes. "I'm a butcher by trade, not a doctor."
Stick to your trade.

THE MONKEY AND THE CAT

Once upon a time a Cat and a Monkey lived as pets in the
same house. They were great friends and were constantly in all
sorts of mischief together. What they seemed to think of more Now the master came in, and away scampered the rascals,
than anything else was to get something to eat, and it did not Mistress Cat with a burnt paw and no chestnuts. From that time
matter much to them how they got it. on, they say, she contented herself with mice and rats and had
One day they were sitting by the fire, watching some little to do with Sir Monkey.
chestnuts roasting on the hearth. How to get them was the The flatterer seeks some benefit at your expense.
question.
"I would gladly get them," said the cunning Monkey, "but
you are much more skillful at such things than I am. Pull them out
THE DOGS AND THE FOX
and I'll divide them between us."
Some Dogs found the skin of a Lion and furiously began
Pussy stretched out her paw very carefully, pushed aside to tear it with their teeth. A Fox chanced to see there and laughed
some of the cinders, and drew back her paw very quickly. Then scornfully.
she tried it again, this time pulling a chestnut half out of the fire.
A third time and she drew out the chest nut. This performance she
went through several times, each time singeing her paw severely.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 37 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "If that Lion had been alive," he said, "it would have been
a very different story. He would have made you feel how much
THE BEAR AND THE BEES
sharper his claws are than your teeth.
A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened
It is easy and also contemptible to kick a man that is down. on a fallen tree in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey.
The Bear began to nose around the log very carefully to find out if
THE DOGS AND THE HIDES the Bees were at home. Just then one of the swarm came home
from the clover f field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the
Bear was after, the Bee f lew at him, stung him sharply and then
Some hungry Dogs saw a number of hides at the bottom of
disappeared into the hollow log.
a stream where the Tanner had put them to soak. A fine hide
makes an excellent meal for a hungry Dog, but the water was deep The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the
and the Dogs could not reach the hides from the bank. So they log tooth and claw, to destroy the nest. But this only brought out
held a council and decided that the very best thing to do was to the whole swarm. The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he
drink up the river. was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.
All fell to lapping up the water as fast as they could. But It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke
though they drank and drank until, one after another, all of them a thousand by flying into a rage.
had burst with drinking, still, for all their effort, the water in the
river remained as high as ever.
Do not try to do impossible things.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 38 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE RABBIT, THE WEASEL, AND THE CAT inside your head and less on your ribs, the way I ant. That's what I
call real beauty.''
A Rabbit left his home one day for a dinner of clover. But A fine coat is not always an indication of an attractive
he forgot to latch the door of his house and while he was gone a mind.
Weasel walked in and calmly made himself at home. When the
Rabbit returned, there was the Weasel's nose sticking out of the
Rabbits own doorway, snif f ing the fine air.
The Rabbit was quite angry —for a Rabbit—, and
requested the Weasel to move out. But the Weasel was perfectly
content. He was settled down for good.
A wise old Cat heard the dispute and offered to settle it.
"Come close to me," said the Cat, "I am very deaf. Put
your mouths close to my ears while you tell me the facts."
The unsuspecting pair did as they were told and in an
instant the Cat had them both under her claws. No one could deny
that the dispute had been definitely settled.

The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage

THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD

A Fox and a Leopard, resting lazily after a generous
dinner, amused themselves by disputing about their good looks.
The Leopard was very proud of his glossy, spotted coat and made
disdainful remarks about the Fox, whose appearance he declared
was quite ordinary.
The Fox prided himself on his fine bushy tail with its tip of THE HERON
white, but he was wise enough to see that he could not rival the
Leopard in looks. Still he kept up a flow of sarcastic talk, just to A Heron was walking sedately along the bank of a stream,
exercise his wits and to have the fun of disputing. The Leopard his eyes on the clear water, and his long neck and pointed bill
was about to lose his temper when the Fox got up, yawning lazily. ready to snap up a likely morsel for his breakfast. The clear water
swarmed with fish; but Master Heron was hard to please that
"You may have a very smart coat," he said, "but you
morning.
would be a great deal better off if you had a little more smartness

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 39 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE COCK AND THE FOX
One bright evening as the sun was sinking on a glorious
world a wise old Cock flew into a tree to roost. Before he
composed himself to rest, he flapped his wings three times and
crowed loudly. But just as he was about to put his head under his
wing, his beady eyes caught a flash of red and a glimpse of a long
pointed nose, and there just below him stood Master Fox.
"Have you heard the wonderful news?" cried the Fox in a
very joyful and excited manner.
"What news?" asked the Cock very calrny. But he had a
queer, fluttery feeling inside him, for, you know, he was very
much afraid of the Fox.
"Your family and mine and all other animals have agreed
to forget their differences and live in peace and friendship from
now on forever. Just think of it! I simply cannot wait to embrace
you! Do come down, dear friend, and let us celebrate the joyful
event."
"How grand!" said the Cock. "I certainly am delighted at
the news." But he spoke in an absent way, and stretching up on
tiptoes, seemed to be looking at something afar off.
"No small fry for me," he said. "Such scanty fare is not fit
"What is it you see?" asked the Fox a little anxiously.
for a Heron."
"Why, it looks to me like a couple of Dogs coming this
Now a fine young Perch swam near.
way. They must have heard the good news and—"
"No indeed," said the Heron.
But the Fox did not wait to hear more. Off he started on a
"I wouldn't even trouble to open my beak for anything like run.
that!"
"Wait," cried the Cock. "Why do you run? The Dogs are
As the sun rose, the fish left the shallow water near the friends of yours now!"
shore and swam below into the cool depths toward the middle.
"Yes," answered theFox. "But they might not have heard
The Heron saw no more fish, and very glad was he at last to
the news. Besides, I have a very important errand that I had
breakfast on a tiny Snail.
almost forgotten about."
Do not be too hard to suit or you may have to be content
with the worst or with nothing at all.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 40 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE DOG IN THE MANGER
A Dog asleep in a manger filled with hay, was awakened
by the Cattle, which came in tired and hungry from working in the
field. But the Dog would not let them get near the manger, and
snarled and snapped as if it were filled with the best of meat and
bones, all for himself.

The Cock smiled as he buried his head in his feathers and The Cattle looked at the Dog in disgust. "How selfish he
went to sleep, for he had succeeded in outwitting a very crafty is!" said one. "He cannot eat the hay and yet he will not let us eat
enemy. it who are so hungry for it!" Now the farmer came in. When he
saw how the Dog was acting, he seized a stick and drove him out
The trickster is easily tricked.
of the stable with many a blow for his selfish behavior.
Do not grudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 41 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE ASS AND THE GRASSHOPPERS
THE WOLF AND THE GOAT
One day as an Ass was walking in the pasture, he found
A hungry Wolf spied a Goat browsing at the top of a steep some Grasshoppers chirping merrily in a grassy corner of the
cliff where he could not possibly get at her. field.
"That is a very dangerous place for you," he called out, He listened with a great deal of admiration to the song of
pretending to be very anxious about the Goat's safety. "What if the Grasshoppers. I t was such a joy ful song that his pleasure-
you should fall! Please listen to me and come down! Here you can loving heart was filled with a wish to sing as they did.
get all you want of the finest, tenderest grass in the country." "What is it?" he asked very respectfully, "that has given
The Goat looked over the edge of the cliff. you such beautiful voices? Is there any special food you eat, or is
it some divine nectar that makes you sing so wonderfully?"
"Yes," said the Grasshoppers, who were very fond of a
joke; "it is the dew we drink! Try some and see."
So thereafter the Ass would eat nothing and drink nothing
but dew.
Naturally, the poor foolish Ass soon died.
The lairs of nature are unchangeable.

THE MULE
A Mule had had a long rest and much good feeding. He
was feeling very vigorous indeed, and pranced around loftily,
holding his head high.
"My father certainly was a full-blooded racer," he said. "I
can feel that distinctly."
Next day he was put into harness again and that evening he
was very downhearted indeed.
"How very, very anxious you are about me," she said, "and "I was mistaken," he said. "My father was an Ass after
how generous you are with your grass'. But I know you! It's your all."
own appetite you are thinking of, not mine!"
Be sure of your pedigree before you boast of it.
An invitation prompted by selfishness is not to be accepted.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 42 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "The finest in the whole country," said the crafty Fox,
THE FOX AND THE GOAT "jump in and try it. There is more than enough for both of us."
The thirsty Goat immediately jumped in and began to
A Fox fell into a well, and though it was not very deep, he drink. The Fox just as quickly jumped on the Goat's back and
found that he could not get out again. After he had been in the leaped from the tip of the Goat's horns out of the well.
well a long time, a thirsty Goat came by. The Goat thought the The foolish Goat now saw what a plight he had got into,
Fox had gone down to drink, and so he asked if the water was and begged the Fox to help him out. But the Fox was already on
good. his way to the woods.
"If you had as much sense as you have beard, old fellow,"
he said as he ran, "you would have been more cautious about
finding a way to get out again before you jumped in."
Look before you leap.

THE CAT, THE COCK, AND THE YOUNG

MOUSE
A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the
world, almost came to grief the very first time he ventured out.
And this is the story he told his mother about his adventures.
"I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I
turned the corner into the next yard, I saw two strange creatures.
One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was
the most fearful monster you can imagine. You should have seen
him.
"On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of
raw red meat. He walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground
with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The
moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if
to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened
me almost to death."
Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was
trying to describe to his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard
Cock and the first one the little Mouse had ever seen.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 43 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD
A Wolf had been prowling around a flock of Sheep for a
long time, and the Shepherd watched very anxiously to prevent
him from carrying off a Lamb. But the Wolf did not try to do any
harm. Instead he seemed to be helping the Shepherd take care of
the Sheep. At last the Shepherd got so used to seeing the Wolf
about that he forgot how wicked he could be.

"If it had not been for that terrible monster," the Mouse
went on, "I should have made the acquaintance of the pretty
creature, who looked so good and gentle. He had thick, velvety
fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes
were bright and shining. As he looked at me he waved his fine
long tail and smiled.
"I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the
monster I have told you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran
for my life."
"My son," said the Mother Mouse, "that gentle creature
you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kindly
appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other
was nothing but a bird who wouldn't harm you in the least. As for One day he even went so far as to leave his flock in the
the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped Wolf's care while he went on an errand. But when he came back
with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by and saw how many of the flock had been killed and carried off, he
their looks." knew how foolish to trust a Wolf.
Do not trust alone to outward appearances. Once a wolf, always a wolf.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 44 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE THE FARMER AND THE CRANES
A Peacock, puffed up with vanity, met a Crane one day, Some Cranes saw a farmer plowing a large field. When the
and to impress him spread his gorgeous tail in the Sun. work of plowing was done, they patiently watched him sow the
seed. It was their feast, they thought.
"Look," he said. "What have you to compare with this? I
am dressed in all the glory of the rainbow, while your feathers are So, as soon as the Farmer had finished planting and had
gray as dust!" gone home, down they flew to the field, and began to eat as fast as
they could.
The Crane spread his broad wings and flew up toward the
sun. The Farmer, of course, knew the Cranes and their ways.
He had had experience with such birds before. He soon returned
to the f ield with a sling. But he did not bring any stones with him.
He expected to scare the Cranes just by swinging the sling in the
air, and shouting loudly at them.
At first the Cranes flew away in great terror. But they soon
began to see that none of them ever got hurt. They did not even
hear the noise of stones whizzing through the air, and as for
words, they would kill nobody. At last they paid no attention
whatever to the Farmer.
The Farmer saw that he would have to take other
measures. He wanted to save at least some of his grain. So he
loaded his sling with stones and killed several of the Cranes. This
had the effect the Farmer wanted, for from that day the Cranes
visited his field no more.
Bluff and threatening words are of little value with
rascals.
Bluff is no proof that hard fists are lacking.

"Follow me if you can," he said. But the Peacock stood

THE FARMER AND HIS SONS
where he was among the birds of the barnyard, while the Crane
A rich old farmer, who felt that he had not many more
soared in freedom far up into the blue sky.
days to live, called his sons to his bedside.
The useful is of much more importance and value, than the
"My sons," he said, "heed what I have to say to you. Do
ornamental.
not on any account part with the estate that has belonged to our
family for so many generations. Somewhere on it is hidden a rich
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 45 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
treasure. I do not know the exact spot, but it is there, and you will
surely find it. Spare no energy and leave no spot unturned in your
THE TWO POTS
search."
Two Pots, one of brass and the other of clay, stood
The father died, and no sooner was he in his grave than the together on the hearthstone. One day the Brass Pot proposed to the
sons set to work digging with all their might, turning up every foot Earthen Pot that they go out into the world together. But the
of ground with their spades, and going over the whole farm two or Earthen Pot excused himself, saying that it would be wiser for him
three times. to stay in the corner by the fire.
"It would take so little to break me," he said. "You know
how fragile I am. The least shock is sure to shatter me!" "Don't let
that keep you at home," urged the Brass Pot. "I shall take very
good care of you. If we should happen to meet anything hard I
will step between and save you."
So the Earthen Pot at last consented, and the two set out
side by side, jolting along on three stubby legs first to this side,
then to that, and bumping into each other at every step. The
Earthen Pot could not survive that sort of companionship very
long. They had not gone ten paces before the Earthen Pot cracked,
and at the next jolt he flew into a thousand pieces.
Equals make the best friends.

No hidden gold did they find; but at harvest time when

they had settled their accounts and had pocketed a rich profit far
greater than that of any of their neighbors, they understood that
the treasure their father had told them about was the wealth of a
bountiful crop, and that in their industry had they found the
treasure.
Industry is itself a treasure.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 46 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG done, not a single golden egg did he find, and his precious Goose
was dead.
There was once a Countryman who possessed the most Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they
wonderful Goose you can imagine, for every day when he visited have.
the nest, the Goose had laid a beautiful, glittering, golden egg.
THE FIGHTING BULLS AND THE FROG
Two Bulls were fighting furiously in a field, at one side of
which was a marsh. An old Frog living in the marsh, trembled as
he watched the fierce battle. "What are you afraid of?" asked a
young Frog.

THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG

The Countryman took the eggs to market and soon began

to get rich. But it was not long before he grew impatient with the
Goose because she gave him only a single golden egg a day. He
was not getting rich fast enough.
Then one day, after he had finished counting his money,
the idea came to him that he could get all the golden eggs at once
by killing the Goose and cutting it open. But when the deed was
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 47 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "Do you not see," replied the old Frog, "that the Bull who
is beaten, will be driven away from the good forage up there to the
reeds of this marsh, and we shall all be trampled into the mud?"
THE FARMER AND THE SNAKE
It turned out as the Frog had said. The beaten Bull was A Farmer walked through his field one cold winter
driven to she marsh, where his great hoofs crushed the Frogs to morning. On the ground lay a Snake, stiff and frozen with the
death. cold. The Farmer knew how deadly the Snake could be, and yet he
When the great fall out, the weak must suffer for it. picked it up and put it in his bosom to Nvarm it back to life.
The Snake soon revived, and when it had enough strength,
THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL bit the man who had been so kind to it. The bite was deadly and
the Farmer felt that he must die. As he drew his last breath, he
said to those standing around:
A little hungry Mouse found his way one day into a basket
of corn. He had to squeeze himself a good deal to get through the Learn from my fate not to take pity on a scoundrel.
narrow opening between the strips of the basket. But the corn was
tempting and the Mouse was determined to get in. When at last he
had succeeded, he gorged himself to bursting. Indeed he he
THE SICK STAG
became about three times as big around the middle as he was
A Stag had fallen sick. He had just strength enough to
when he went in.
gather some food and find a quiet clearing in the woods, where he
At last he felt satisfied and dragged himself to the opening lay down to wait until his strength should return. The Animals
to get out again. But the best he could do was to get his head out. heard about the Stag's illness and came to ask after his health. Of
Sc there he sat groaning and moaning, both from the discomfort course, they were all hungry, and helped themselves freely to the
inside him and his anxiety to escape from the basket. Stag's food; and as you would expect, the Stag soon starved to
Just then a Weasel came by. He understood the situation death.
quickly.
Good will is worth nothing unless it is accompanied by good acts.
"My friend," he said, " I know what you've been doing.
You've been stuff ing. That's what you get. You will have to stay
there till you feel just like you did when you went in. Good night, THE GOATHERD AND THE WILD GOATS
and good enough for you.
One cold stormy day a Goatherd drove his Goats for
And that was all the sympathy the poor Mouse got. shelter into a cave, where a number of Wild Goats had also found
Greediness leads to misfortune. their way. The Shepherd wanted to make the Wild Goats part of
his flock; so he fed them well. But to his own flock, he gave only
just enough food to keep them alive. NN, hen the weather cleared,
and the Shepherd led the Goats out to feed, the Wild Goats
scampered off to the hills.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 48 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 appearances. Just then a Swallow flew by, twittering merrily, and
the young man, thinking summer had come, hastened off to a
clothes dealer, to whom he sold all the clothes he wore down to
his very tunic.
A few days later a change in weather brought a severe
frost, and the poor swallow and that foolish young man in his light
tunic, and with his arms and knees bare, could scarely keep life in
their shivering bodies.
One swallow does not make a summer.

"Is that the thanks I get for feeding you and treating you so
well?" complained the Shepherd.
"Do not expect us to join your flock," replied one of the
Wild Goats. "We know how you would treat us later on, if some
strangers should come as we did."
It is unwise to treat old friends badly for the sake of new
ones.

THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW

A young fellow, who was very popular among his boon
companions as a good spender, quickly wasted his fortune trying
to live up to his reputation. Then one fine day in early spring he
found himself with not a penny left, and no property save the
clothes he wore.
He was to meet some jolly young men that morning, and
he was at his wits' end how to get enough money to keep up

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 49 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE CAT AND THE BIRDS
THE ASTROLOGER
A Cat was growing very thin. As you have guessed, he did
not get enough to eat. One day he heard that some Birds in the A man who lived a long time ago believed that he could
neighborhood were ailing and needed a doctor. So he put on a pair read the future in the stars. He called himself an Astrologer, and
of spectacles, and with a leather box in his hand, knocked at the spent his time at night gazing at the sky.
door of the Bird's home.
The Birds peeped out, and Dr. Cat, with much solicitude,
asked how they were. He would be very happy to give them some
medicine.
"Tweet, tweet," laughed the Birds. "Very smart, aren't
you? We are very well, thank you, and more so, if you only keep
away from here."
Be wise and shun the quack.

THE DOG AND THE OYSTER

There was once a Dog who was very fond of eggs. He
visited the hen house very of ten and at last got so greedy that he
would swallow the eggs whole.
One day the Dog wandered down to the seashore. There he
spied an Oyster. In a twinkling the Oyster was resting in the Dog's
stomach, shell and all.
It pained the Dog a good deal, as you can guess.
"I've learned that all round things are not eggs," he said
groaning.
One evening he was walking along the open road outside
Act in haste and repent at leisure—and often in pain. the village. His eyes were fixed on the stars. He thought he saw
there that the end of the world was at hand, when all at once,
down he went into a hole full of mud and water.
There he stood up to his ears, in the muddy water, and
madly clawing at the slippery sides of the hole in his effort to
climb out.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 50 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 His cries for help soon brought the villagers running. As had little hope of eating them, for he was no match for three
they pulled him out of the mud, one of them said: strong Bullocks with their sharp horns and hoofs. But he could not
keep away from that field, for it is hard to resist watching a good
"You pretend to read the future in the stars, and yet you
meal, even when there is little chance of getting it.
fail to see what is at your feet! This may teach you to pay more
attention to what is right in front of you, and let the future take Then one day the Bullocks had a quarrel, and when the
care of itself." hungry Lion came to look at them and lick his chops as he was
accustomed to do, he found them in separate corners of the field,
"What use is it," said another, "to read the stars, when you
as far away from one another as they could get.
can't see what's right here on the earth?"
It was now an easy matter for the Lion to attack them one
Take care of the little things and the big things will take
at a time, and this he proceeded to do with the greatest satisfaction
care of themselves.
and relish.

THREE BULLOCKS AND A LION In unity is strength.

MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN

A poor Woodman was cutting down a tree near the edge of
a deep pool in the forest. It was late in the day and the Woodman
was tired. He had been working since sunrise and his strokes were
not so sure as they had been early that morning. Thus it happened
that the axe slipped and flew out of his hands into the pool.
The Woodman was in despair. The axe was all he
possessed with which to make a living, and he had not money
enough to buy a new one. As he stood wringing his hands and
weeping, the god Mercury suddenly appeared and asked what the
trouble was. The Woodman told what had happened, and
straightway the kind Mercury dived into the pool. When he came
up again he held a wonderful golden axe.
"Is this your axe?" Mercury asked the Woodman.
"No," answered the honest Woodman, "that is not my
axe."
Mercury laid the golden axe on the bank and sprang back
A Lion had been watching three Bullocks feeding in an into the pool. This time he brought up an axe of silver, but the
open field. He had tried to attack them several times, but they had Woodman declared again that his axe was just an ordinary one
kept together, and helped each other to drive him off. The Lion with a wooden handle.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 51 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 Mercury dived down for the third time, and when he came fortune. They hurried out into the woods, one here, one there, and
up again he had the very axe that had been lost. hiding their axes in the bushes, pretended they had lost them.
Then they wept and wailed and called on Mercury to help them.
And indeed, Mercury did appear, first to this one, then to
that. To each one he showed an axe of gold, and each one eagerly
claimed it to be the one he had lost. But Mercury did not give
them the golden axe. Oh no! Instead he gave them each a hard
whack over the head with it and sent them home. And when they
returned next day to look for their own axes, they were nowhere to
be found.
Honesty is the best policy.

THE FROG AND THE MOUSE

A young Mouse in search of adventure was running along
the bank of a pond where lived a Frog. When the Frog saw the
Mouse, he swam to the bank and croaked:

The poor Woodman was very glad that his axe had been
found and could not thank the kind god enough. Mercury was
greatly pleased with the Woodman's honesty.
"I admire your honesty," he said, "and as a reward you
may have all three axes, the gold and the silver as well as your
own."
The happy Woodman returned to his home with his
treasures, and soon the story of his good fortune was known to
everybody in the village. Now there were several Woodmen in the
village who believed that they could easily win the same good
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 52 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "Won't you pay me a visit? I can promise you a good time
if you do." THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE
The Mouse did not need much coaxing, for he was very
anxious to see the world and everything in it. But though he could A Serpent had succeeded in surprising an Eagle and had
swim a little, he did not dare risk going into the pond without wrapped himself around the Eagle's neck. The Eagle could not
some help. reach the Serpent, neither with beak nor claws. Far into the sky he
The Frog had a plan. He tied the Moue's leg to his own soared trying to shake off his enemy. But the Serpent's hold only
with a tough reed. Then into the pond he jumped, dragging his tightened, and slowly the Eagle sank back to earth, gasping for
foolish companion with him. breath.

The Mouse soon had enough of it and wanted to return to A Countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity
shore; but the treacherous Frog had other plans. He pulled the for the noble Eagle he rushed up and soon had loosened the
Mouse down under the water and drowned him. But before he coiling Serpent and freed the Eagle.
could untie the reed that bound him to the dead Mouse, a Hawk The Serpent was furious. He had no chance to bite the
came sailing over the pond. Seeing the body of the Mouse floating watchful Countryman. Instead he struck at the drinking horn,
on the water, the Hawk swooped down, seized the Mouse and hanging at the Countryman's belt, and into it let fly the poison of
carried it off, with the Frog dangling from its leg. Thus at one his fangs.
swoop he had caught both meat and fish for his dinner.
The Countryman now went on toward home. Becoming
Those who seek to harm others often come to harm thirsty on the way, he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to
themselves through their own deceit. drink. There was a sudden rush of great wings. Sweeping down,
the Eagle seized the poisoned horn from out his savior's hands,
THE FOX AND THE CRAB and flew away with it to hide it where it could never be found.
An act of kindness is well repaid.
A Crab one day grew disgusted with the sands in which he
lived. He decided to take a stroll to the meadow not far inland.
There he would find better fare than briny water and sand mites.
THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
So off he crawled to the meadow. But there a hungry Fox spied
A certain Wolf could not get enough to eat because of the
him, and in a twinkling, ate him up, both shell and claw.
watchfulness of the Shepherds. But one night he found a sheep
Be content with your lot. skin that had been cast aside and forgotten. The next day, dressed
in the skin, the Wolf strolled into the pasture with the Sheep. Soon
a little Lamb was following him about and was quickly led away
to slaughter.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 53 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Do not think," he said, "that I submit to your cowardly
treatment because I am afraid of you. When that Lion leaves, I'll
teach you a lesson you won't forget."
It is wicked to take advantage of another's distress.

That evening the Wolf entered the fold with the flock. But
it happened that the Shepherd took a fancy for mutton broth that
very evening, and, picking up a knife, went to the fold. There the
first he laid hands on and killed was the Wolf.
The evil doer often comes to harm through his own deceit.

THE BULL AND THE GOAT

A Bull once escaped from a Lion by entering a cave which
the Goatherds used to house their flocks in stormy weather and at
night. It happened that one of the Goats had been left behind, and
the Bull had no sooner got inside than this Goat lowered his head
and made a rush at him, butting him with his horns. As the Lion
was still prowling outside the entrance to the cave, the Bull had to
submit to the insult.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 54 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE buzzed about Jupiter's head, and made him rise to drive her away;
and the eggs rolled from his lap.
A Beetle once begged the Eagle to spare a Hare which had Now the Beetle told the reason for her action, and Jupiter
run to her for protection. But the Eagle pounced upon her prey, had to acknowledge the justice of her cause. And they say that
the sweep of her great wings tumbling the Beetle a dozen feet ever after, while the Eagle's eggs lie in the nest in spring, the
away. Furious at the disrespect shown her, the Beetle flew, to the Beetle still sleeps in the ground. For so Jupiter commanded.
Eagle's nest and rolled out the eggs. Not one did she spare. The Even the weakest may find means to avenge a wrong.
Eagle's grief and anger knew no bounds, but who had done the
cruel deed she did not know.
THE OLD LION AND THE FOX
An old Lion, whose teeth and claws were so worn that it
was not so easy for him to get food as in his younger days,
pretended that he was sick. He took care to let all his neighbors
know about it, and then lay down in his cave to wait for visitors.
And when they came to offer him their sympathy, he ate them up
one by one.

Next year the Eagle built her nest far up on a mountain

crag; but the Beetle found it and again destroyed the eggs. In
despair the Eagle now implored great Jupiter to let her place her
eggs in his lap. There none would dare harm them. But the Beetle
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 55 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 The Fox came too, but he was very cautious about it. All this the Ass saw with much discontent. Though he was
Standing at a safe distance from the cave, he inquired politely well fed, he had much work to do, besides, the Master hardly ever
after the Lion's health. The Lion replied that he was very ill took any notice of him.
indeed, and asked the Fox to step in for a moment. But Master Now the jealous Ass got it into his silly head that all he
Fox very wisely stayed outside, thanking the Lion very kindly for had to do to win his Master's favor was to act like the Dog. So one
the invitation. day he left his stable and clattered eagerly into the house.
"I should be glad to do as you ask," he added, "but I have Finding his Master seated at the dinner table, he kicked up
noticed that there are many foot prints leading into your cave and his heels and, with a loud bray, pranced giddily around the table,
none coming out. Pray tell me, how do your visitors find their way upsetting it as he did so. Then he planted his forefeet on his
out again?"
Master's knees and rolled out his tongue to lick the Master's face,
Take warning from the misfortunes of others. as he had seen the Dog do. But his weight upset the chair, and Ass
and man rolled over together in the pile of broken dishes from the
THE MAN AND THE LION table.

A Lion and a Man chanced to travel in company through

the forest. They soon began to quarrel, for each of them boasted
that he and his kind were far superior to the other both in strength
and mind.
Now they reached a clearing in the forest and there stood a
statue. It was a representation of Heracles in the act of tearing the
jaws of the Nemean Lion. "See," said the man, "that's how strong
the are! The King of Beasts is like wax in our hands!" "Ho!"
laughed the Lion, "a Man made that statue. It would have been
quite a different scene had a Lion made it!"
It all depends on the point of view, and who tells the story.

THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG

There was once an Ass whose Master also owned a Lap
Dog. This Dog was a favorite and received many a pat and kind
word from his Master, as well as choice bits from his plate. Every
day the Dog would run to meet the Master, frisking playfully
about and leaping up to lick his hands and face.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 56 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 The Master was much alarmed at the strange behavior of
the Ass, and calling for help, soon attracted the attention of the
servants. When they saw the danger the Master was in from the
clumsy beast, they set upon the Ass and drove him with kicks and
blows back to the stable. There they left him to mourn the
foolishness that had brought him nothing but a sound beating.
Behavior that is regarded as agreeable in one is very rude
and impertinent in another.
Do not try to gain favor by acting in a way that is contrary
to your own nature and character.

THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL

A Milkmaid had been out to milk the cows and was
returning from the field with the shining milk pail balanced nicely
on her head. As she walked along, her pretty head was busy with
plans for the days to come.
"This good, rich milk," she reused, "will give me plenty of
cream to churn. The butter I make I will take to market, and with
the money I get for it I will buy a lot of eggs for hatching. How
nice it will be when they are all hatched and the yard is full of fine
young chicks. Then when May day comes I will sell them, and
with the money I'll buy a lovely new dress to wear to the fair. All
the young men will look at me. They will come and try to make
love to me,—but I shall very quickly send them about their
business!"
As she thought of how she would settle that matter, she
tossed her head scornfully, and down fell the pail of milk to the
ground. And all the milk flowed out, and with it vanished butter
and eggs and chicks and new dress and all the milkmaid's pride.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 57 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD "My gold! O my gold!" cried the Miser, wildly, "someone
has robbed me!"
A Wolf, lurking near the Shepherd's hut, saw the Shepherd
and his family feasting on a roasted lamb.
"Aha!" he muttered. "What a great shouting and running
about there would have been, had they caught me at just the very
thing they are doing with so much enjoyment!"
Men often condemn others for what they see no wrong in
doing themselves.

THE GOATHERD AND THE GOAT

A Goat strayed away from the flock, tempted by a patch of
clover. The Goatherd tried to call it back, but in vain. It would not
obey him. Then he picked up a stone and threw it, breaking the
Goat's horn.
The Goatherd was frightened. "Do not tell the master," he
begged the Goat.
"No," said the Goat, "that broken horn can speak for
itself!" "Your gold! There in that hole? Why did you put it there?
Wicked deeds will not stay hid. Why did you not keep it in the house where you could easily get it
when you had to buy things?"

THE MISER "Buy!" screamed the Miser angrily. "Why, I never touched
the gold. I couldn't think of spending any of it."
A Miser had buried his gold in a secret place in his garden. The stranger picked up a large stone and threw it into the
Every day he went to the spot, dug up the treasure and counted it hole.
piece by piece to make sure it was all there. He made so many
"If that is the case," he said, "cover up that stone. It is
trips that a Thief, who had been observing him, guessed what it
worth just as much to you as the treasure you lost!"
was the Miser had hidden, and one night quietly dug up the
treasure and made off with it. A possession is worth no more than the use we make of it.
When the Miser discovered his loss, he was overcome
with grief and despair. He groaned and cried and tore his hair.
A passerby heard his cries and asked what had happened.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 58 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "What must I do?" asked the Wolf.
CHAPTER CV "Hardly anything," answered the House Dog. "Chase
people who carry canes, bark at beggars, and fawn on the people
THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG of the house. In return you will get tidbits of every kind, chicken
bones, choice bits of meat, sugar, cake, and much more beside,
not to speak of kind words and caresses.
There was once a Wolf who got very little to eat because
the Dogs of the village were so wide awake and watchful. He was The Wolf had such a beautiful vision of his coming
really nothing but skin and bones, and it made him very happiness that he almost wept. But just then he noticed that the
downhearted to think of it. hair on the Dog's neck was worn and the skin was chafed.
One night this Wolf happened to fall in with a fine fat "What is that on your neck?" "Nothing at all," replied the
House Dog who had wandered a little too far from home. The Dog.
Wolf would gladly have eaten him then and there, but the House "What! nothing!"
Dog looked strong enough to leave his marks should he try it. So
the Wolf spoke very humbly to the Dog, complimenting him on "Oh, just a trifle!"
his fine appearance. "But please tell me."
"Perhaps you see the mark of the collar to which my chain
is fastened."
"What! A chain!" cried the Wolf. "Don't you go wherever
you please?"
"Not always! But what's the difference?" replied the Dog.
"All the difference in the world! I don't care a rap for your
feasts and I wouldn't take all the tender young lambs in the world
at that price." And away ran the Wolf to the woods.
There is nothing worth so much as liberty.

THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG

A Fox, swimming across a river, was barely able to reach
the bank, where he lay bruised and exhausted from his struggle
with the swift current. Soon a swarm of blood-sucking flies settled
"You can be as well-fed as I am if you want to," replied
on him, but he lay quietly, still too weak to run away from them.
the Dog. "Leave the woods; there you live miserably. Why, you
have to fight hard for every bite you get. Follow my example and A Hedgehog happened by. "Let me drive the flies away,"
you wi11 get along beautifully." he said kindly.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 59 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "But I am not a Mouse!" cried the Bat. "Look at my wings.
Can Mice fly? Why, I am only a Bird! Please let me go!"

"No, no!" exclaimed the Fox, "do not disturb them! They
have taken all they can hold. If you drive them away, another The Weasel had to admit that the Bat was not a Mouse, so
greedy swarm will come and take the little blood I have left." he let him go. But a few days later, the foolish Bat went blindly
Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk, a greater in into the nest of another Weasel. This Weasel happened to be a
removing it. bitter enemy of Birds, and he soon had the Bat under his claws,
ready to eat him.

THE BAT AND THE WEASELS "You are a Bird," he said, and I am going to eat you!"
"What," cried the Bat, "I, a Bird! Why, all Birds have feathers! I
am nothing but a Mouse. 'Down with all Cats,' is my motto!"
A Bat blundered into the nest of a Weasel, who ran up to
catch and eat him. The Bat begged for his life, but the Weasel And so the Bat escaped with his life a second time.
would not listen. Set your sails with the wind.
"You are a Mouse," he said, "and I am a sworn enemy of
Mice. Every Mouse I catch, I am going to eat! "
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 60 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the
THE QUACK TOAD danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would
advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.
An old Toad once informed all his neighbors that he was a
learned doctor. In fact he could cure anything. The Fox heard the
news and hurried to see the Toad. tie looked the Toad over very
carefully.
"Mr. Toad," he said, "I've been told that you cure
anything! But just take a look at yourself, and then try some of
your own medicine. If you can cure your- self of that blotchy skin
and that rheumatic gait, someone might believe you. Otherwise, I
should advise you to try some other profession. "
Those who would mend others, should first mend
themselves.

THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL

A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last,
after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to leave
his beautiful bushy tail behind him.
For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he
knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack
jokes and laugh behind his back. But it was hard for him to live
alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him
out of his trouble.
When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said,
He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had smiling: "Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you
something of great importance to tell the tribe. shall have your answer."
When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there
Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it
come to harm because of their tails. was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.
This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you
become entangled in the hedge. That one had not been able to run to his own level.
fast enough because of the weight of his brush. Besides, it was
well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails,
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 61 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY
There was once a Dog who was so ill-natured and
mischievous that his Master had to fasten a heavy wooden clog A Butterfly once fell in love with a beautiful Rose. The
about his neck to keep him from annoying visitors and neighbors. Rose was not indifferent, for the Butterfly's wings were powdered
But the Dog seemed to be very proud of the clog and dragged it in a charming pattern of gold and silver. And so, when he fluttered
about noisily as if he wished to attract everybody's attention. He near and told how he loved her, she blushed rosily and said yes.
was not able to impress anyone. "You would be wiser," said an After much pretty love-making and many whispered vows of
old acquaintance, "to keep quietly out of sight with that clog. Do constancy, the Butterfly took a tender leave of his sweetheart.
you want everybody to know what a disgraceful and ill-natured
Dog you are?"
Notoriety is not fame.

But alas! It was a long time before he came back to her.

"Is this your constancy?" she exclaimed tearfully. "It is
ages since you went away, and all the time, you have been
carrying on with all sorts of flowers. I saw you kiss Miss
Geranium, and you fluttered around Miss Mignonette Until Honey
Bee chased you away. I wish he had stung you!"

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 62 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Constancy!" laughed the Butterfly. "I had no sooner left Just then, close by, they heard a hunter's horn and the
you than I saw Zephyr kissing you. You carried on scandalously yelping of a pack of hounds. In an instant the Cat was up a tree,
with Mr. Bumble Bee and you made eyes at every single Bug you hiding among the leaves.
could see. You can't expect any constancy from me!" "This is my trick," he called to the Fox. "Now let me see
Do not expect constancy in others if you have none what yours are worth."
yourself. But the Fox had so many plans for escape he could not
decide which one to try first. He dodged here and there with the
THE CAT AND THE FOX hounds at his heels. He doubled on his tracks, he ran at top speed,
he entered a dozen burrows,—but all in vain. The hounds caught
Once a Cat and a Fox were traveling together. As they him, and soon put an end to the boaster and all his tricks.
went along, picking up provisions on the way—a stray mouse Common sense is always worth more than cunning.
here, a fat chicken there—they began an argument to while away
the time between bites. And, as usually happens when comrades
argue, the talk began to get personal. "You think you are THE BOY AND THE NETTLE
extremely clever, don't you?" said the Fox. "Do you pretend to
know more than I? Why, I know a whole sackful of tricks!" A Boy, stung by a Nettle, ran home crying, to get his
mother to blow on the hurt and kiss it.
"Son," said the Boy's mother, when she had comforted
him, "the next time you come near a Nettle, grasp it firmly, and it
will be as soft as silk."
Whatever you do, do with all your might.

THE OLD LION

A Lion had grown very old. His teeth were worn away.
His limbs could no longer bear him, and the King of Beasts was
very pitiful indeed as he lay gasping on the ground, about to die.
Where now his strength and his former graceful beauty?
Now a Boar spied him, and rushing at him, gored him with his
yellow tusk. A Bull trampled him with his heavy hoofs. Even a
contemptible Ass let fly his heels and brayed his insults in the face
of the Lion.
It is cowardly to attack the defenseless, though he be an
"Well," retorted the Cat, " I admit I know one trick only, enemy.
but that one, let me tell you, is worth a thousand of yours!"
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 63 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 they become, that they lost their hold on the limb, and fell down
THE FOX AND THE PHEASANTS one by one to the Fox.
Too much attention to danger may cause us to fall victims
One moonlight evening as Master Fox was taking his usual to it.
stroll in the woods, he saw a number of Pheasants perched quite
out of his reach on a limb of a tall old tree. The sly Fox soon TWO TRAVELERS AND A BEAR
found a bright patch of moonlight, where the Pheasants could see
him clearly; there he raised himself up on his hind legs, and began Two Men were traveling in company through a forest,
a wild dance. First he whirled 'round and 'round like a top, then he when, all at once, a huge Bear crashed out of the brush near them.
hopped up and down, cutting all sorts of strange capers. The
Pheasants stared giddily. They hardly dared blink for fear of One of the Men, thinking of his own safety, climbed a tree.
losing him out of their sight a single instant. The other, unable to fight the savage beast alone, threw
himself on the ground and lay still, as if he were dead. He had
heard that a Bear will not touch a dead body.

Now the Fox made as if to climb a tree, now he fell over It must have been true, for the Bear snuffed at the Man's
and lay still, playing dead, and the next instant he was hopping on head awhile, and then, seeming to be satisfied that he was dead,
all fours, his back in the air, and his bushy tail shaking so that it walked away.
seemed to throw out silver sparks in the moonlight. The Man in the tree climbed down.
By this time the poor birds' heads were in a whirl. And "It looked just as if that Bear whispered in your ear," he
when the Fox began his performance all over again, so dazed did said. "What did he tell you?"
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 64 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "He said." answered the other, "that it was not at all wise The greedy Monkey followed the Fox to the trap. As soon
to keep company with a fellow who would desert his friend in a as he saw the meat he grasped eagerly for it, only to find himself
moment of danger." held fast in the trap. The Fox stood off and laughed.
Misfortune is the test of true friendship.

THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES

A Porcupine was looking for a good home. At last he
found a little sheltered cave, where lived a family of Snakes. He
asked them to let him share the cave with them, and the Snakes
kindly consented.
The Snakes soon wished they had not given him
permission to stay. His sharp quills pricked them at every turn,
and at last they politely asked him to leave. "I am very well
satisfied, thank you," said the Porcupine. "I intend to stay right
here. And with that, he politely escorted the Snakes out of doors.
And to save their skins, the Snakes had to look for another home.
"You pretend to be our king," he said, "and cannot even
Give a finger and lose a hand. take care of yourself!"
Shortly after that, another election among the Animals was
THE FOX AND THE MONKEY held.
At a great meeting of the Animals, who had gathered to The true leader proves himself by his qualities.
elect a new ruler, the Monkey was asked to dance. This he did so
well, with a thousand funny capers and grimaces, that the Animals THE MOTHER AND THE WOLF
were carried entirely off their feet with enthusiasm, and then and
there, elected him their king. Early one morning a hungry Wolf was prowling around a
The Fox did not vote for the Monkey and was much cottage at the edge of a village, when he heard a child crying in
disgusted with the Animals for electing so unworthy a ruler. the house. Then he heard the Mother's voice say
One day he found a trap with a bit of meat in it. Hurrying "Hush, child, hush! Stop your crying, or I will give you to
to King Monkey, he told him he had found a rich treasure, which the Wolf! "
he had not touched because it belonged by right to his majesty the Surprised but delighted at the prospect of so delicious a
Monkey. meal, the Wolf settled down under an open window, expecting
every moment to have the child handed out to him. But though the
little one continued to fret, the Wolf waited all day in vain. Then,
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 65 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
toward nightfall, he heard the Mother's voice again as she sat gorge themselves. The Flies were quickly smeared from head to
down near the window to sing and rock her baby to sleep. foot with honey. Their wings stuck together. They could not pull
their feet out of the sticky mass. And so they died, giving their
lives for the sake of a taste of sweetness.
Be not greedy for a little passing pleasure. It may destroy
you.

THE EAGLE AND THE KITE

An Eagle sat high in the branches of a great Oak. She
seemed very sad and drooping for an Eagle. A Kite saw her.
"Why do you look so woe-begone?" asked the Kite.
"I want to get married." replied the Eagle, "and I cant find
a mate who can provide for me as I should like."
"Take me," said the Kite; "I am very strong, stronger even
than you!"
"Do you really think you can provide for me?" asked the
Eagle eagerly.
"Why, of course," replied the Kite. "That would be a very
"There, child, there! The Wolf shall not get you. No, no simple matter. I am so strong I can carry away an Ostrich in my
Daddy is watching and Daddy will kill him if he should come talons as if it were a feather!" The Eagle accepted the Kite
near!" immediately. But after the wedding, when the Kite flew away to
Just then the Father came within sight of the home, and the find something to eat for his bride, all he had when he returned,
Wolf was barely able to save himself from the Dogs by a clever was a tiny Mouse.
bit of running. "Is that the Ostrich you talked about?" said the Eagle in
Do not believe everything you hear. disgust. "To win you I would have said and promised anything,"
replied the Kite.
THE FLIES AND THE HONEY Everything is fair in love.

A jar of honey was upset and the sticky sweetness flowed

out on the table. The sweet smell of the honey soon brought a
large number of Flies buzzing around. They did not wait for an
invitation. No, indeed; they settled right down, feet and all, to

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 66 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF
THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE
One day a Stag came to a Sheep and asked her to lend him
a measure of wheat. The Sheep knew him for a very swift runner, Once upon a time a severe plague raged among the
who could easily take himself out of reach, were he so inclined. animals. Many died, and those who lived were so ill, that they
So she asked him if he knew someone who would answer for him. cared for neither food nor drink, and dragged themselves about
"Yes, yes," answered the Stag confidently, "the Wolf has listlessly. No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to
promised to be my surety." dinner, nor a tender lamb rouse greedy Sir Wolf's appetite.
At last the Lion decided to call a council. When all the
animals were gathered together he arose and said
"Dear friends, I believe the gods have sent this plague
upon us as a punishment for our sins. Therefore, the most guilty
one of us must be offered in sacrifice. Perhaps we may thus obtain
forgiveness and cure for all.
"I will confess all my sins first. I admit that I have been
very greedy and have devoured many sheep. They had done me
no harm. I have eaten goats and bulls and stags. To tell the truth, I
even ate up a shepherd now and then.
"Now, if I am the most guilty, I am ready to be sacrificed.
But I think it best that each one con fess his sins as I have done.
Then we can decide in all justice who is the most guilty."
"Your majesty," said the Fox, "you are too good. Can it be
a crime to eat sheep, such stupid mutton heads? No, no, your
majesty. You have done them great honor by eating them up.
"And so far as shepherds are concerned, we all know they
belong to that puny race that pretends to be our masters."
"The Wolf!" exclaimed the Sheep indignantly. "Do you
think I would trust you on such security? I know the Wolf! He All the animals applauded the Fox loudly. Then, though
takes what he wants and runs off with it without paying. As for the Tiger, the Bear, the Wolf, and all the savage beasts recited the
you, you can use your legs so well that I should have little chance most wicked deeds, all were excused and made to appear very
of collecting the debt if I had to catch you for it!" saint-like and innocent.

Two blacks do not make a white. It was now the Ass's turn to confess.
"I remember," he said guiltily, `"that one day as I was
passing a field belonging to some priests, I was so tempted by the
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 67 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
tender grass and my hunger, that I could not resist. nibbling a bit
of it. I had no right to do it, I admit—"
THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION
A great uproar among the beasts interrupted him. Here was A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a
the culprit who had brought misfortune on all of them! What a number of them were missing.
horrible crime it was to eat grass that belonged to someone else! It
Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that
was enough to hang anyone for. much more an Ass.
he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The
Shepherd suspected a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a
rocky region among the hills, where there were caves infested by
Wolves. But before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he
would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a
sacrifice.
The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any
Wolves, but just as he was passing near a large cave on the
mountain side, a huge Lion stalked out, carrying a Sheep. In great
terror the Shepherd fell on his knees.

Immediately they all fell upon him, the Wolf in the lead,
and soon had made an end to him, sacrificing him to the gods then
and there, and without the formality of an altar.
The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the
powerful.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 68 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find If he had stopped to think he would have known better.
the thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. Now I promise you a full- But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the
grown Bull, if you but make the thief go away!" Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to
reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he
We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have
stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized
found it.
what a stupid Dog he had been.
Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they
It is very foolish to be greedy.
were granted.

THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was
hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed
a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself
reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog
thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his
own.

A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being
so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking
laugh.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 69 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than over. When the case came up again, both sides had a large number
you think. I'll run you a race and prove it. of witnesses. An Ant was first to take the stand, and was about to
be cross-examined, when a wise old Bee addressed the Court.
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race
with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the
Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and
started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the
Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a
race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until
the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept goingly slowly but steadily,
and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping.
But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did
wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his
swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
The race is not always to the swift.

THE BEES AND WASPS, AND THE HORNET

A store of honey had been found in a hollow tree, and the
Wasps declared positively that it belonged to them. The Bees were
just assure that the treasure was theirs. The argument grew very "Your honor," he said, "the case has now been pending for
pointed, and it looked as if the affair could not be settled without a six weeks. If it is not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for
battle, when at last, with much good sense, they agreed to let a anything I move that the Bees and the Wasps be both instructed to
judge decide the matter. So they brought the case before the build a honey comb. Then we shall soon see to whom the honey
Hornet, justice of the peace in that part of the woods. really belongs."
When the judge called the case, witnesses declared that The Wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly
they had seen certain winged creatures in the neighborhood of the understood why they did so: They knew they could not build a
hollow tree, who hummed loudly, and whose bodies were striped, honey comb and fill it with honey.
yellow and black, like Bees. "It is clear," said the judge, "who made the comb and who
Counsel for the Wasps immediately insisted that this could not have made it. The honey belongs to the Bees."
description fitted his clients exactly. Ability proves itself by deeds.
Such evidence did not help Judge Hornet to any decision,
so he adjourned court for six weeks to give him time to think it
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 70 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 "Do not be frightened, children," said the Mother Lark. "If
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES the Farmer said he would call in his neighbors and friends to help
him do his work, this wheat wi11 not be reaped for a while vet."
A Lark made her nest in a field of young wheat. As the A few days later, the wheat was so ripe, that when the
days passed, the wheat stalks grew tall and the young birds, too, wind shook the stalks, a hail of wheat grains came rustling down
grew in strength. Then one day, when the ripe golden grain waved on the young Larks' heads.
in the breeze, the Farmer and his son came into the field. "If this wheat is not harvested at once," said the Farmer,
"This wheat is now ready for reaping," said the Farmer. "we shall lose half the crop. We cannot wait any longer for help
"We must call in our neighbors and friends to help us harvest it." from our friends. Tomorrow we must set to work, ourselves."
The young Larks in their nest close by were much When the young Larks told their mother what they had
frightened, for they knew they would be in great danger if they did heard that day. she said:
not leave the nest before the reapers came. When the Mother Lark "Then we must be off at once. When a man decides to do
returned with food for them, they told her what they had heard. his own work and not depend on any one else, then you may be
sure there will be no more delay." There was much fluttering and
trying out of wings that afternoon, and at sunrise next day, when
the Farmer and his son cut down the grain, they found an empty
nest.
Self-help is the best help.

THE CAT AND THE OLD RAT

There was once a Cat who was so watchful, that a Mouse
hardly dared show the tip of his whiskers for fear of being eaten
alive. That Cat seemed to be everywhere at once with his claws all
ready for a pounce. At last the Mice kept so closely to their dens,
that the Cat saw he would have to use his wits well to catch one.
So one day he climbed up on a shelf and hung from it, head
downward, as if he were dead, holding himself up by clinging to
some ropes with one paw.
When the Mice peeped out and saw him in that position,
they thought he had been hung up there in punishment for some
misdeed. Very timidly at first they stuck out their heads and
sniffed about carefully. But as nothing stirred, all trooped joyfully
out to celebrate the death of the Cat.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 71 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 and traps, and had even lost a part of his tail to pay for it, sat up at
a safe distance from a hole in the wall where he lived.
"Take care!" he cried. "That may be a heap of meal, but it
looks to me very much like the Cat. Whatever it is, it is wisest to
keep at a safe distance."
The wise do not let themselves be tricked a second time.

THE FOX AND THE CROW

One bright morning as the Fox was following his sharp
nose through the wood in search of a bite to eat, he saw a Crow on
the limb of a tree overhead. This was by no means the f irst Crow
the Fox had ever seen. What caught his attention this time and
made him stop for a second look, was that the lucky Crow held a
bit of cheese in her beak.

Just then the Cat let go his hold, and before the Mice
recovered from their surprise, he had made an end of three or four.
Now the Mice kept more strictly at home than ever. But
the Cat, who was still hungry for Mice, knew more tricks than
one. Rolling himself in flour until he was covered completely, he
lay down in the flour bin, with one eve open for the Mice.
Sure enough, the Mice soon began to come out. To the Cat
it was almost as if he already had a plump young Mouse under his
claws, when an old Rat, who had had much experience with Cats

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 72 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 "No need to search any farther," thought sly Master Fox. Now the heat had affected the Driver as much as it had the
"Here is a dainty bite for my breakfast." Traveler, and even more, for he had been walking. Wishing also
to rest in the shade cast by the Ass, he began to quarrel with the
Up he trotted to the foot of the tree in which the Crow wac
Traveler, saying he had hired the Ass and not the shadow it cast.
sitting, and looking up admiringly, he cried, "Good-morning,
beautiful creature!"
The Crow, her head cocked on one side, watched the Fox
suspiciously. But she kept her beak tightly closed on the cheese
and did not return his greeting.
"What a charming creature she is!" said the Fox. "How her
feathers shine! What a beautiful form and what splendid wings!
Such a wonderful Bird should have a very lovely voice, since
everything else about her is so perfect. Could she sing just one
song, I know I should hail her Queen of Birds."
Listening to these flattering words, the Crow forgot all her
suspicion, and also her breakfast. She wanted very much to be
called Queen of Birds.
So she opened her beak wide to utter her loudest caw, and
down fell the cheese straight into the Fox's open mouth.
"Thank you," said Master Fox sweetly, as he walked off.
"Though it is cracked, you have a voice sure enough. But where
are your wits?"
The flatterer lives at the expense of those who will listen to
him.

THE ASS AND HIS SHADOW

A Traveler had hired an Ass to carry him to a distant part The two soon came to blows, and while they were
of the country. The owner of the Ass went with the Traveler, fighting, the Ass took to its heels.
walking beside him to drive the Ass and point out the way. In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the
The road led across a treeless plain where the Sun beat substance.
down fiercely. So intense did the heat become, that the Traveler at
last decided to stop for a rest, and as there was no other shade to
be found, the Traveler sat down in the shadow of the Ass.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 73 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS At the next turnstile they overtook some women carrying
market baskets loaded with vegetables and other things to sell.
One day, a long time ago, an old Miller and his Son were "Look at the old fool," exclaimed one of them. "Perched
on their way to market with an Ass which they hoped to sell. They on the Ass, while that poor boy has to walk."
drove him very slowly, for they thought they would have a better The Miller felt a bit vexed, but to be agreeable he told the
chance to sell him if they kept him in good condition. As they Boy to climb up behind him.
walked along the highway some travelers laughed loudly at them.
They had no sooner started out again than a loud shout
"What foolishness," cried one, "to walk when they might went up from another company of people on the road.
as well ride. The most stupid of the three is not the one you would
expect it to be."

The Miller did not like to be laughed at, so he told his son
"What a crime," cried one, "to load up a poor dumb beast
to climb up and ride.
like that! They look more able to carry the poor creature, than he
They had gone a little farther along the road, when three to carry them."
merchants passed by.
"They must be on their way to sell the poor thing's hide,"
"Oho, what have we here?" they cried. "Respect old age, said another.
young man! Get down, and let the old man ride."
The Miller and his Son quickly scrambled down, and a
Though the Miller was not tired, he made the boy get short time later, the market place was thrown into an uproar as the
down and climbed up himself to ride, just to please the Merchants.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 74 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

two came along carrying the Donkey slung from a pole. A great straw close beside it. Clinging to the straw like a shipwrecked
crowd of people ran out to get a closer look at the strange sight. sailor to a broken spar, the Ant floated safely to shore.
The Ass did not dislike being carried, but so many people Soon after, the Ant saw a man getting ready to kill the
came up to point at him and laugh and shout, that he began to kick Dove with a stone. But just as he cast the stone, the Ant stung him
and bray, and then, just as they were crossing a bridge, the ropes in the heel, so that the pain made him miss his aim, and the
that held him gave way, and down he tumbled into the river. startled Dove flew to safety in a distant wood.
The poor Miller now set out sadly for home. By trying to A kindness is never wasted.
please everybody, he had pleased nobody, and lost his Ass
besides. THE MAN AND THE SATYR
If you try to please all, you please none.

THE ANT AND THE DOVE

A Dove saw an Ant fall into a brook. The Ant struggled in A long time ago a Man met a Satyr in the forest and
vain to reach the bank, and in pity, the Dove dropped a blade of succeeded in making friends with him. The two soon became the
best of comrades, living together in the Man's hut. But one cold
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 75 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
winter evening, as they were walking homeward, the Satyr saw It was the right password, but when the Kid peeped
the Man blow on his fingers. through a crack in the door and saw the shadowy figure outside,
he did not feel at all easy.
"Why do you do that?" asked the Satyr.
"Show me a white paw," he said, "or I won't let you in."
"To warm my hands," the Ian replied.
When they reached home the Ian prepared two bowls of
porridge. These he placed steaming hot on the table, and the
comrades sat down very cheerfully to enjoy the meal. But much to
the Satyr's surprise, the Man began to blow into his bowl of
porridge.
"Why do you do that?" he asked.
"To cool my porridge," replied the Man.
The Satyr sprang hurriedly to his feet and made for the
door. "Goodbye," he said, "I've seen enough. A fellow that blows
hot and cold in the same breath cannot be friends with me!"
The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by
either.

THE WOLF, THE KID, AND THE GOAT

Mother Goat was going to market one morning to get
provisions for her household, which consisted of but one little Kid
and herself.
"Take good care of the house, my son," she said to the
Kid, as she carefully latched the door. "Do not let anyone in,
unless he gives you this password: 'Down with the Wolf and all
his race!' "
Strangely enough, a Wolf was lurking near and heard what A white paw, of course, is a feature few Wolves can show,
the Goat had said. So, as soon as Mother Goat was out of sight, up and so Master Wolf had to go away as hungry as he had come.
he trotted to the door and knocked. "You can never be too sure," said the Kid, when he saw the Wolf
"Down with the Wolf and all his race," said the Wolf making off to the woods.
softly. Two sureties are better than one.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 76 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 The Fox was well satisfied, but the Lion flew into a great
THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW rage over it, and with one stroke of his huge paw, he added the
Ass to the pile of slain.
The Swallow and the Crow had an argument one day Then he turned to the Fox. "You divide it," he roared
about their plumage. angrily.
Said the Swallow: "Just look at my bright and downy The Fox wasted no time in talking. He quickly piled all the
feathers. Your black stiff quills are not worth having. Why don't game into one great heap. From this he took a very small portion
you dress better? Show a little pride!" "Your feathers may do very for himself, such undesirable bits as the horns and hoofs of a
well in spring," replied the Crow, "but— I don't remember ever mountain goat, and the end of an ox tail.
having seen you around in winter, and that's when I enjoy myself
most.
Friends in fine weather only, are not worth much.

JUPITER AND THE MONKEY

There was once a baby show among the Animals in the
forest. Jupiter provided the prize. Of course all the proud mammas
from far and near brought their babies. But none got there earlier
than Mother Monkey. Proudly she presented her baby among the
other contestants.
As you can imagine, there was quite a laugh when the
Animals saw the ugly flat-nosed, hairless, pop-eyed little creature.
"Laugh if you will," said the Mother Monkey. "Though
Jupiter may not give him the prize, I know that he is the prettiest,
the sweetest, the dearest darling in the world."
Mother love is blind.

THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX The Lion now recovered his good humor entirely. "Who
taught you to divide so fairly?" he asked pleasantly.
A Lion, an Ass, and a Fox were hunting in company, and "I learned a lesson from the Ass," replied the Fox,
caught a large quantity of game. The Ass was asked to divide the carefully edging away.
spoil. This he did very fairly, giving each an equal share. Learn from the misfortunes of others.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 77 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE LION'S SHARE He then very carefully divided the Stag into four equal
parts. "I am King Lion," he said, when he had finished, "so of
course I get the first part. This next part falls to me because I am
the strongest, and this is mine because I am the bravest."
He now began to glare at the others very Savagely. "If any
of you have any claim to the part that is left," he growled,
stretching his claws meaningly, "now is the time to speak up."
Might makes right.

THE MOLE AND HIS MOTHER

A little Mole once said to his Mother:
"Why, Mother, you said I was blind! But I am sure I can
see!" Mother Mole saw she would have to get such conceit out of
his head. So she put a bit of frankincense bef ore him and asked
him to tell what it was.
The little Mole peered at it. "Why, that's a pebble!" "Well,
my son, that proves you've lost your sense of smell as well as
being blind."
Boast of one thing and you will be found lacking in that
and a few other things as well.
A long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the
Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing with each other THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN
whatever they found.
One day the Wolf ran down a Stag and immediately called The North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of
his comrades to divide the spoil. them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat
and bluster, a Traveler passed along the road wrapped in a cloak.
Without being asked, the Lion placed himself at the head
of the feast to do the carving, and, with a great show of fairness, "Let us agree," said the Sun, "that he is the stronger who
began to count the guests. can strip that Traveler of his cloak."
"One," he said, counting on his claws, "that is myself, the "Very well," growled the North Wind, and at once sent a
Lion. Two, that's the Wolf, three, is the Jackal, and the Fox makes cold, howling blast against the Traveler.
four."

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 78 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and
bluster fail.

With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped
about the Traveler's body. But he immediately wrapped it closely
around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to
him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts
were in vain.
Then the Sun began shine. At first his beams were gentle,
THE HARE AND HIS EARS
and in the pleasant warmth. after the bitter cold of the North
The Lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a Goat,
Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely
which he was eating. He was very angry to think that any animal
from his shoulders. The Sun's rays grew warmer and warmer. The
that he chose for a meal, should be so brazen as to wear such
man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last he became so
dangerous things as horns to scratch him while he ate. So he
heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing
commanded that all animals with horns should leave his domains
sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by
within twenty-four hours.
the roadside.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 79 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 The command struck terror among the beasts. All those in perfect safety. But now the Wolves thought of a plan to trick
who were so unfortunate as to have horns, began to pack up and the Sheep.
move out. Even the Hare, who, as you know, has no horns and so
"Why is there always this hostility between us?" they said.
had nothing to fear, passed a very restless night, dreaming awful "If it were not for those Dogs who are always stirring up trouble, I
dreams about the fearful lion. am sure we should get along beautifully. Send them away and you
And when he came out of the warren in the early morning will see what good friends we shall become."
sunshine, and there saw the shadow cast by his long and pointed The Sheep were easily fooled. They persuaded the Dogs to
ears, a terrible fright seized him. go away, and that very evening the Wolves had the grandest feast
"Goodby, neighbor Cricket," he called. "I'm off. He will of their lives.
certainly make out that my ears are horns, no matter what I say." Do not give up friends for foes.
Do not give your enemies the slightest reason to attack
your reputation. THE COCK AND THE FOX
Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you.
A Fox was caught in a trap one fine morning, because he
had got too near the Farmer's hen house. No doubt he was hungry,
but that was not an excuse for stealing. A Cock, rising early,
discovered what had happened. He knew the Fox could not get at
him, so he went a little closer to get a good look at his enemy.
The Fox saw a slender chance of escape.
"Dear friend," he said, "I was just on my way to visit a sick
relative, when I stumbled into this string and got all tangled up.
But please do not tell anybody about it. I dislike causing sorrow to
anybody, and I am sure I can soon gnaw this string to pieces."
But the Cock was not to be so easily fooled. He soon
roused the whole hen yard, and when the Farmer came running
out, that was the end of Mr. Fox.
The wicked deserve no aid.

THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP

A pack of Wolves lurked near the Sheep pasture. But the
Dogs kept them all at a respectful distance, and the Sheep grazed

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 80 Distributed by Heritage History 2009

 THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH
THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN
A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had
An Ass found a Lion's skin left in the forest by a hunter. bad luck one day and caught nothing but very small fry. The
He dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a Fisherman was about to put it in his basket when the little Fish
thicket and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that said
way. All took to their heels the moment they saw him. "Please spare me, Mr. Fisherman! I am so small it is not
worthwhile to carry me home. When I am bigger, I shall make
you a much better meal."

The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away

from him, just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not
keep from expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. A Fox,
who ran with the rest, stopped short as soon as he heard the voice.
Approaching the Ass, he said with a laugh But the Fisherman quickly put the fish into his basket.
"If you had kept your mouth shut you might have "How foolish I should be," he said, "to throw you back. However
frightened me, too. But you gave yourself away with that silly small you may be, you are better than nothing at all."
bray." A small gain is worth more than a large promise.
A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his
words will soon show what he really is.
Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 81 Distributed by Heritage History 2009
 THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE
Once there were two Cocks living in the same farmyard
who could not bear the sight of each other. At last one day they
flew up to fight it out, beak and claw. They fought until one of
them was beaten and crawled off to a corner to hide.
The Cock that had won the battle, flew to the top of the
henhouse, and, proudly flapping his wings, crowed with all his
might to tell the world about his victory. But an Eagle, circling
overhead, heard the boasting chanticleer and, swooping down,
carried him off to his nest.

His rival saw the deed, and coming out of his corner, took
his place as master of the farmyard.
Pride goes before a fall.

Original Copyright 1919 by Milo Winter 82 Distributed by Heritage History 2009