Mercuryappearedtohimjustashehopedhewould；andhavinglearnedthecauseofhisgrief，plungedintothestreamandbroughtupagoldenaxe，inquiringifhehadlostit。TheWorkmanseizeditgreedily，anddeclaredthattrulyitwastheverysameaxethathehadlost。Mercury，displeasedathisknavery，notonlytookawaythegoldenaxe，butrefusedtorecoverforhimtheaxehehadthrownintothepool。
TheEagleandtheJackdawANEAGLE，flyingdownfromhisperchonaloftyrock，seizeduponalambandcarriedhimaloftinhistalons。AJackdaw，whowitnessedthecaptureofthelamb，wasstirredwithenvyanddeterminedtoemulatethestrengthandflightoftheEagle。Heflewaroundwithagreatwhirofhiswingsandsettleduponalargeram，withtheintentionofcarryinghimoff，buthisclawsbecameentangledintheram\'sfleeceandhewasnotabletoreleasehimself，althoughheflutteredwithhisfeathersasmuchashecould。Theshepherd，seeingwhathadhappened，ranupandcaughthim。HeatonceclippedtheJackdaw\'swings，andtakinghimhomeatnight，gavehimtohischildren。Ontheirsaying，\"Father，whatkindofbirdisit？\'hereplied，\"TomycertainknowledgeheisaDaw；buthewouldlikeyoutothinkanEagle。\"
TheFoxandtheCraneAFOXinvitedaCranetosupperandprovidednothingforhisentertainmentbutsomesoupmadeofpulse，whichwaspouredoutintoabroadflatstonedish。ThesoupfelloutofthelongbilloftheCraneateverymouthful，andhisvexationatnotbeingabletoeataffordedtheFoxmuchamusement。TheCrane，inhisturn，askedtheFoxtosupwithhim，andsetbeforeheraflagonwithalongnarrowmouth，sothathecouldeasilyinserthisneckandenjoyitscontentsathisleisure。TheFox，unableeventotasteit，metwithafittingrequital，afterthefashionofherownhospitality。
Jupiter，Neptune，Minerva，andMomusACCORDINGtoanancientlegend，thefirstmanwasmadebyJupiter，thefirstbullbyNeptune，andthefirsthousebyMinerva。Onthecompletionoftheirlabors，adisputearoseastowhichhadmadethemostperfectwork。TheyagreedtoappointMomusasjudge，andtoabidebyhisdecision。Momus，however，beingveryenviousofthehandicraftofeach，foundfaultwithall。HefirstblamedtheworkofNeptunebecausehehadnotmadethehornsofthebullbelowhiseyes，sohemightbetterseewheretostrike。HethencondemnedtheworkofJupiter，becausehehadnotplacedtheheartofmanontheoutside，thateveryonemightreadthethoughtsoftheevildisposedandtakeprecautionsagainsttheintendedmischief。And，lastly，heinveighedagainstMinervabecauseshehadnotcontrivedironwheelsinthefoundationofherhouse，soitsinhabitantsmightmoreeasilyremoveifaneighborprovedunpleasant。Jupiter，indignantatsuchinveteratefaultfinding，drovehimfromhisofficeofjudge，andexpelledhimfromthemansionsofOlympus。
TheEagleandtheFoxANEAGLEandaFoxformedanintimatefriendshipanddecidedtoliveneareachother。TheEaglebuilthernestinthebranchesofatalltree，whiletheFoxcreptintotheunderwoodandthereproducedheryoung。Notlongaftertheyhadagreeduponthisplan，theEagle，beinginwantofprovisionforheryoungones，swoopeddownwhiletheFoxwasout，seizedupononeofthelittlecubs，andfeastedherselfandherbrood。TheFoxonherreturn，discoveredwhathadhappened，butwaslessgrievedforthedeathofheryoungthanforherinabilitytoavengethem。Ajustretribution，however，quicklyfellupontheEagle。Whilehoveringnearanaltar，onwhichsomevillagersweresacrificingagoat，shesuddenlyseizedapieceoftheflesh，andcarriedit，alongwithaburningcinder，tohernest。Astrongbreezesoonfannedthesparkintoaflame，andtheeaglets，asyetunfledgedandhelpless，wereroastedintheirnestanddroppeddowndeadatthebottomofthetree。There，inthesightoftheEagle，theFoxgobbledthemup。
TheManandtheSatyrAMANandaSatyroncedranktogetherintokenofabondofalliancebeingformedbetweenthem。Oneverycoldwintryday，astheytalked，theManputhisfingerstohismouthandblewonthem。WhentheSatyraskedthereasonforthis，hetoldhimthathedidittowarmhishandsbecausetheyweresocold。Lateroninthedaytheysatdowntoeat，andthefoodpreparedwasquitescalding。TheManraisedoneofthedishesalittletowardshismouthandblewinit。WhentheSatyragaininquiredthereason，hesaidthathedidittocoolthemeat，whichwastoohot。\"I
cannolongerconsideryouasafriend，\"saidtheSatyr，\"afellowwhowiththesamebreathblowshotandcold。\"
TheAssandHisPurchaserAMANwishedtopurchaseanAss，andagreedwithitsownerthatheshouldtryouttheanimalbeforeheboughthim。HetooktheAsshomeandputhiminthestraw-yardwithhisotherAsses，uponwhichthenewanimalleftalltheothersandatoncejoinedtheonethatwasmostidleandthegreatesteaterofthemall。
Seeingthis，themanputahalteronhimandledhimbacktohisowner。Onbeingaskedhow，insoshortatime，hecouldhavemadeatrialofhim，heanswered，\"Idonotneedatrial；Iknowthathewillbejustthesameastheonehechoseforhiscompanion。\"
Amanisknownbythecompanyhekeeps。
TheTwoBagsEVERYMAN，accordingtoanancientlegend，isbornintotheworldwithtwobagssuspendedfromhisneckallbaginfrontfullofhisneighbors\'faults，andalargebagbehindfilledwithhisownfaults。Henceitisthatmenarequicktoseethefaultsofothers，andyetareoftenblindtotheirownfailings。
TheStagatthePoolASTAGoverpoweredbyheatcametoaspringtodrink。Seeinghisownshadowreflectedinthewater，hegreatlyadmiredthesizeandvarietyofhishorns，butfeltangrywithhimselfforhavingsuchslenderandweakfeet。Whilehewasthuscontemplatinghimself，aLionappearedatthepoolandcrouchedtospringuponhim。TheStagimmediatelytooktoflight，andexertinghisutmostspeed，aslongastheplainwassmoothandopenkepthimselfeasilyatasafedistancefromtheLion。Butenteringawoodhebecameentangledbyhishorns，andtheLionquicklycameuptohimandcaughthim。Whentoolate，hethusreproachedhimself:\"Woeisme!HowIhavedeceivedmyself!ThesefeetwhichwouldhavesavedmeIdespised，andIgloriedintheseantlerswhichhaveprovedmydestruction。\"
Whatismosttrulyvaluableisoftenunderrated。
TheJackdawandtheFoxAHALF-FAMISHEDJACKDAWseatedhimselfonafig-tree，whichhadproducedsomefruitentirelyoutofseason，andwaitedinthehopethatthefigswouldripen。AFoxseeinghimsittingsolongandlearningthereasonofhisdoingso，saidtohim，\"Youareindeed，sir，sadlydeceivingyourself；youareindulgingahopestrongenoughtocheatyou，butwhichwillneverrewardyouwithenjoyment。\"
TheLarkBuryingHerFatherTHELARKaccordingtoanancientlegendwascreatedbeforetheearthitself，andwhenherfatherdied，astherewasnoearth，shecouldfindnoplaceofburialforhim。Shelethimlieuninterredforfivedays，andonthesixthday，notknowingwhatelsetodo，sheburiedhiminherownhead。Hencesheobtainedhercrest，whichispopularlysaidtobeherfather\'sgrave-hillock。
Youth\'sfirstdutyisreverencetoparents。
TheGnatandtheBullAGNATsettledonthehornofaBull，andsattherealongtime。
Justashewasabouttoflyoff，hemadeabuzzingnoise，andinquiredoftheBullifhewouldlikehimtogo。TheBullreplied，\"Ididnotknowyouhadcome，andIshallnotmissyouwhenyougoaway。\"
Somemenareofmoreconsequenceintheirowneyesthanintheeyesoftheirneighbors。
TheBitchandHerWhelpsABITCH，readytowhelp，earnestlybeggedashepherdforaplacewhereshemightlitter。Whenherrequestwasgranted，shebesoughtpermissiontorearherpuppiesinthesamespot。Theshepherdagainconsented。ButatlasttheBitch，protectedbythebodyguardofherWhelps，whohadnowgrownupandwereabletodefendthemselves，assertedherexclusiverighttotheplaceandwouldnotpermittheshepherdtoapproach。
TheDogsandtheHidesSOMEDOGSfamishedwithhungersawanumberofcowhidessteepinginariver。Notbeingabletoreachthem，theyagreedtodrinkuptheriver，butithappenedthattheyburstthemselveswithdrinkinglongbeforetheyreachedthehides。
Attemptnotimpossibilities。
TheShepherdandtheSheepASHEPHERDdrivinghisSheeptoawood，sawanoakofunusualsizefullofacorns，andspreadinghiscloakunderthebranches，heclimbedupintothetreeandshookthemdown。TheSheepeatingtheacornsinadvertentlyfrayedandtorethecloak。WhentheShepherdcamedownandsawwhatwasdone，hesaid，\"Oyoumostungratefulcreatures!Youprovidewooltomakegarmentsforallothermen，butyoudestroytheclothesofhimwhofeedsyou。\"
TheGrasshopperandtheOwlANOWL，accustomedtofeedatnightandtosleepduringtheday，wasgreatlydisturbedbythenoiseofaGrasshopperandearnestlybesoughthertostopchirping。TheGrasshopperrefusedtodesist，andchirpedlouderandlouderthemoretheOwlentreated。
Whenshesawthatshecouldgetnoredressandthatherwordsweredespised，theOwlattackedthechattererbyastratagem。
\"SinceIcannotsleep，\"shesaid，\"onaccountofyoursongwhich，believeme，issweetasthelyreofApollo，IshallindulgemyselfindrinkingsomenectarwhichPallaslatelygaveme。Ifyoudonotdislikeit，cometomeandwewilldrinkittogether。\"
TheGrasshopper，whowasthirsty，andpleasedwiththepraiseofhervoice，eagerlyflewup。TheOwlcameforthfromherhollow，seizedher，andputhertodeath。
TheMonkeyandtheCamelTHEBEASTSoftheforestgaveasplendidentertainmentatwhichtheMonkeystoodupanddanced。Havingvastlydelightedtheassembly，hesatdownamidstuniversalapplause。TheCamel，enviousofthepraisesbestowedontheMonkeyanddesiringtodiverttohimselfthefavoroftheguests，proposedtostandupinhisturnanddancefortheiramusement。HemovedaboutinsoutterlyridiculousamannerthattheBeasts，inafitofindignation，setuponhimwithclubsanddrovehimoutoftheassembly。
Itisabsurdtoapeourbetters。
ThePeasantandtheApple-TreeAPEASANThadinhisgardenanApple-Treewhichborenofruitbutonlyservedasaharborforthesparrowsandgrasshoppers。Heresolvedtocutitdown，andtakinghisaxeinhishand，madeaboldstrokeatitsroots。Thegrasshoppersandsparrowsentreatedhimnottocutdownthetreethatshelteredthem，buttospareit，andtheywouldsingtohimandlightenhislabors。
Hepaidnoattentiontotheirrequest，butgavethetreeasecondandathirdblowwithhisaxe。Whenhereachedthehollowofthetree，hefoundahivefullofhoney。Havingtastedthehoneycomb，hethrewdownhisaxe，andlookingonthetreeassacred，tookgreatcareofit。
Self-interestalonemovessomemen。
TheTwoSoldiersandtheRobberTWOSOLDIERStravelingtogetherweresetuponbyaRobber。Theonefledaway；theotherstoodhisgroundanddefendedhimselfwithhisstoutrighthand。TheRobberbeingslain，thetimidcompanionranupanddrewhissword，andthen，throwingbackhistravelingcloaksaid，\"I\'llathim，andI\'lltakecareheshalllearnwhomhehasattacked。\"Onthis，hewhohadfoughtwiththeRobbermadeanswer，\"Ionlywishthatyouhadhelpedmejustnow，evenifithadbeenonlywiththosewords，forIshouldhavebeenthemoreencouraged，believingthemtobetrue；butnowputupyourswordinitssheathandholdyourequallyuselesstongue，tillyoucandeceiveotherswhodonotknowyou。I，indeed，whohaveexperiencedwithwhatspeedyourunaway，knowrightwellthatnodependencecanbeplacedonyourvalor。\"
TheTreesUndertheProtectionoftheGodsTHEGODS，accordingtoanancientlegend，madechoiceofcertaintreestobeundertheirspecialprotection。Jupiterchosetheoak，Venusthemyrtle，Apollothelaurel，Cybelethepine，andHerculesthepoplar。Minerva，wonderingwhytheyhadpreferredtreesnotyieldingfruit，inquiredthereasonfortheirchoice。
Jupiterreplied，\"Itislestweshouldseemtocovetthehonorforthefruit。\"ButsaidMinerva，\"Letanyonesaywhathewilltheoliveismoredeartomeonaccountofitsfruit。\"ThensaidJupiter，\"Mydaughter，youarerightlycalledwise；forunlesswhatwedoisuseful，thegloryofitisvain。\"
TheMotherandtheWolfAFAMISHEDWOLFwasprowlingaboutinthemorninginsearchoffood。Ashepassedthedoorofacottagebuiltintheforest，heheardaMothersaytoherchild，\"Bequiet，orIwillthrowyououtofthewindow，andtheWolfshalleatyou。\"TheWolfsatalldaywaitingatthedoor。Intheeveningheheardthesamewomanfondlingherchildandsaying:\"Youarequietnow，andiftheWolfshouldcome，wewillkillhim。\"TheWolf，hearingthesewords，wenthome，gaspingwithcoldandhunger。Whenhereachedhisden，MistressWolfinquiredofhimwhyhereturnedweariedandsupperless，socontrarytohiswont。Hereplied:\"Why，forsooth!
useIgavecredencetothewordsofawoman!\"
TheAssandtheHorseANASSbesoughtaHorsetosparehimasmallportionofhisfeed。
\"Yes，\"saidtheHorse；\"ifanyremainsoutofwhatIamnoweatingIwillgiveityouforthesakeofmyownsuperiordignity，andifyouwillcomewhenIreachmyownstallintheevening，Iwillgiveyoualittlesackfullofbarley。\"TheAssreplied，\"Thankyou。ButIcan\'tthinkthatyou，whorefusemealittlematternow。willbyandbyconferonmeagreaterbenefit。\"
TruthandtheTravelerAWAYFARINGMAN，travelinginthedesert，metawomanstandingaloneandterriblydejected。Heinquiredofher，\"Whoartthou？\"
\"MynameisTruth，\"shereplied。\"Andforwhatcause，\"heasked，\"haveyouleftthecitytodwellalonehereinthewilderness？\"
Shemadeanswer，\"Becauseinformertimes，falsehoodwaswithfew，butisnowwithallmen。\"
TheManslayerAMANcommittedamurder，andwaspursuedbytherelationsofthemanwhomhemurdered。OnhisreachingtheriverNilehesawaLiononitsbankandbeingfearfullyafraid，climbedupatree。
Hefoundaserpentintheupperbranchesofthetree，andagainbeinggreatlyalarmed，hethrewhimselfintotheriver，whereacrocodilecaughthimandatehim。Thustheearth，theair，andthewateralikerefusedsheltertoamurderer。
TheLionandtheFoxAFOXenteredintopartnershipwithaLiononthepretenseofbecominghisservant。Eachundertookhisproperdutyinaccordancewithhisownnatureandpowers。TheFoxdiscoveredandpointedouttheprey；theLionsprangonitandseizedit。
TheFoxsoonbecamejealousoftheLioncarryingofftheLion\'sshare，andsaidthathewouldnolongerfindouttheprey，butwouldcaptureitonhisownaccount。Thenextdayheattemptedtosnatchalambfromthefold，buthehimselffellpreytothehuntsmenandhounds。
TheLionandtheEagleANEAGLEstayedhisflightandentreatedaLiontomakeanalliancewithhimtotheirmutualadvantage。TheLionreplied，\"Ihavenoobjection，butyoumustexcusemeforrequiringyoutofindsuretyforyourgoodfaith，forhowcanItrustanyoneasafriendwhoisabletoflyawayfromhisbargainwheneverhepleases？\'
Trybeforeyoutrust。
TheHenandtheSwallowAHENfindingtheeggsofaviperandcarefullykeepingthemwarm，nourishedthemintolife。ASwallow，observingwhatshehaddone，said，\"Yousillycreature!whyhaveyouhatchedtheseviperswhich，whentheyshallhavegrown，willinflictinjuryonall，beginningwithyourself？\'
TheBuffoonandtheCountrymanARICHNOBLEMANonceopenedthetheaterswithoutchargetothepeople，andgaveapublicnoticethathewouldhandsomelyrewardanypersonwhoinventedanewamusementfortheoccasion。
Variouspublicperformerscontendedfortheprize。AmongthemcameaBuffoonwellknownamongthepopulaceforhisjokes，andsaidthathehadakindofentertainmentwhichhadneverbeenbroughtoutonanystagebefore。Thisreportbeingspreadaboutmadeagreatstir，andthetheaterwascrowdedineverypart。
TheBuffoonappearedaloneupontheplatform，withoutanyapparatusorconfederates，andtheverysenseofexpectationcausedanintensesilence。Hesuddenlybenthisheadtowardshisbosomandimitatedthesqueakingofalittlepigsoadmirablywithhisvoicethattheaudiencedeclaredhehadaporkerunderhiscloak，anddemandedthatitshouldbeshakenout。Whenthatwasdoneandnothingwasfound，theycheeredtheactor，andloadedhimwiththeloudestapplause。ACountrymaninthecrowd，observingallthathaspassed，said，\"Sohelpme，Hercules，heshallnotbeatmeatthattrick!\"andatonceproclaimedthathewoulddothesamethingonthenextday，thoughinamuchmorenaturalway。Onthemorrowastilllargercrowdassembledinthetheater，butnowpartialityfortheirfavoriteactorverygenerallyprevailed，andtheaudiencecamerathertoridiculetheCountrymanthantoseethespectacle。Bothoftheperformersappearedonthestage。TheBuffoongruntedandsqueakedawayfirst，andobtained，asontheprecedingday，theapplauseandcheersofthespectators。NexttheCountrymancommenced，andpretendingthatheconcealedalittlepigbeneathhisclotheswhichintruthhedid，butnotsuspectedbytheaudience
contrivedtotakeholdofandtopullhisearcausingthepigtosqueak。TheCrowd，however，criedoutwithoneconsentthattheBuffoonhadgivenafarmoreexactimitation，andclamoredfortheCountrymantobekickedoutofthetheater。Onthistherusticproducedthelittlepigfromhiscloakandshowedbythemostpositiveproofthegreatnessoftheirmistake。\"Lookhere，\"
hesaid，\"thisshowswhatsortofjudgesyouare。\"
TheCrowandtheSerpentACROWingreatwantoffoodsawaSerpentasleepinasunnynook，andflyingdown，greedilyseizedhim。TheSerpent，turningabout，bittheCrowwithamortalwound。Intheagonyofdeath，thebirdexclaimed:\"Ounhappyme!whohavefoundinthatwhichI
deemedahappywindfallthesourceofmydestruction。\"
TheHunterandtheHorsemanACERTAINHUNTER，havingsnaredahare，placedituponhisshouldersandsetouthomewards。Onhiswayhemetamanonhorsebackwhobeggedthehareofhim，underthepretenseofpurchasingit。However，whentheHorsemangotthehare，herodeoffasfastashecould。TheHunterranafterhim，asifhewassureofovertakinghim，buttheHorsemanincreasedmoreandmorethedistancebetweenthem。TheHunter，sorelyagainsthiswill，calledouttohimandsaid，\"Getalongwithyou!forIwillnowmakeyouapresentofthehare。\"
TheKing\'sSonandthePaintedLionAKING，whoseonlysonwasfondofmartialexercises，hadadreaminwhichhewaswarnedthathissonwouldbekilledbyalion。
Afraidthedreamshouldprovetrue，hebuiltforhissonapleasantpalaceandadorneditswallsforhisamusementwithallkindsoflife-sizedanimals，amongwhichwasthepictureofalion。WhentheyoungPrincesawthis，hisgriefatbeingthusconfinedburstoutafresh，and，standingnearthelion，hesaid:
\"Oyoumostdetestableofanimals!throughalyingdreamofmyfather\'s，whichhesawinhissleep，IamshutuponyouraccountinthispalaceasifIhadbeenagirl:whatshallInowdotoyou？\'Withthesewordshestretchedouthishandstowardathorn-tree，meaningtocutastickfromitsbranchessothathemightbeatthelion。Butoneofthetree\'spricklespiercedhisfingerandcausedgreatpainandinflammation，sothattheyoungPrincefelldowninafaintingfit。Aviolentfeversuddenlysetin，fromwhichhediednotmanydayslater。
Wehadbetterbearourtroublesbravelythantrytoescapethem。
TheCatandVenusACATfellinlovewithahandsomeyoungman，andentreatedVenustochangeherintotheformofawoman。Venusconsentedtoherrequestandtransformedherintoabeautifuldamsel，sothattheyouthsawherandlovedher，andtookherhomeashisbride。
Whilethetwowererecliningintheirchamber，VenuswishingtodiscoveriftheCatinherchangeofshapehadalsoalteredherhabitsoflife，letdownamouseinthemiddleoftheroom。TheCat，quiteforgettingherpresentcondition，startedupfromthecouchandpursuedthemouse，wishingtoeatit。Venuswasmuchdisappointedandagaincausedhertoreturntoherformershape。
Natureexceedsnurture。
TheShe-GoatsandTheirBeardsTHESHE-GOATShavingobtainedabeardbyrequesttoJupiter，theHe-Goatsweresorelydispleasedandmadecomplaintthatthefemalesequaledthemindignity。\"Allowthem，\"saidJupiter，\"toenjoyanemptyhonorandtoassumethebadgeofyournoblersex，solongastheyarenotyourequalsinstrengthorcourage。\"
Itmatterslittleifthosewhoareinferiortousinmeritshouldbelikeusinoutsideappearances。
TheCamelandtheArabANARABCAMEL-DRIVER，aftercompletingtheloadingofhisCamel，askedhimwhichhewouldlikebest，togouphillordown。Thepoorbeastreplied，notwithoutatouchofreason:\"Whydoyouaskme？Isitthatthelevelwaythroughthedesertisclosed？\"
TheMiller，HisSon，andTheirAssAMILLERandhissonweredrivingtheirAsstoaneighboringfairtosellhim。Theyhadnotgonefarwhentheymetwithatroopofwomencollectedroundawell，talkingandlaughing。\"Lookthere，\"criedoneofthem，\"didyoueverseesuchfellows，tobetrudgingalongtheroadonfootwhentheymightride？\'Theoldmanhearingthis，quicklymadehissonmounttheAss，andcontinuedtowalkalongmerrilybyhisside。Presentlytheycameuptoagroupofoldmeninearnestdebate。\"There，\"saidoneofthem，\"itproveswhatIwasa-saying。Whatrespectisshowntooldageinthesedays？Doyouseethatidleladridingwhilehisoldfatherhastowalk？Getdown，youyoungscapegrace，andlettheoldmanresthiswearylimbs。\"Uponthistheoldmanmadehissondismount，andgotuphimself。Inthismannertheyhadnotproceededfarwhentheymetacompanyofwomenandchildren:
\"Why，youlazyoldfellow，\"criedseveraltonguesatonce，\"howcanyourideuponthebeast，whilethatpoorlittleladtherecanhardlykeeppacebythesideofyou？\'Thegood-naturedMillerimmediatelytookuphissonbehindhim。Theyhadnowalmostreachedthetown。\"Pray，honestfriend，\"saidacitizen，\"isthatAssyourown？\'\"Yes，\"repliedtheoldman。\"O，onewouldnothavethoughtso，\"saidtheother，\"bythewayyouloadhim。
Why，youtwofellowsarebetterabletocarrythepoorbeastthanheyou。\"\"Anythingtopleaseyou，\"saidtheoldman；\"wecanbuttry。\"So，alightingwithhisson，theytiedthelegsoftheAsstogetherandwiththehelpofapoleendeavoredtocarryhimontheirshouldersoverabridgeneartheentrancetothetown。
Thisentertainingsightbroughtthepeopleincrowdstolaughatit，tilltheAss，notlikingthenoisenorthestrangehandlingthathewassubjectto，brokethecordsthatboundhimand，tumblingoffthepole，fellintotheriver。Uponthis，theoldman，vexedandashamed，madethebestofhiswayhomeagain，convincedthatbyendeavoringtopleaseeverybodyhehadpleasednobody，andlosthisAssinthebargain。
TheCrowandtheSheepATROUBLESOMECROWseatedherselfonthebackofaSheep。TheSheep，muchagainsthiswill，carriedherbackwardandforwardforalongtime，andatlastsaid，\"Ifyouhadtreatedadoginthisway，youwouldhavehadyourdesertsfromhissharpteeth。\"
TothistheCrowreplied，\"Idespisetheweakandyieldtothestrong。IknowwhomImaybullyandwhomImustflatter；andI
thusprolongmylifetoagoodoldage。\"
TheFoxandtheBrambleAFOXwasmountingahedgewhenhelosthisfootingandcaughtholdofaBrambletosavehimself。Havingprickedandgrievouslytomthesolesofhisfeet，heaccusedtheBramblebecause，whenhehadfledtoherforassistance，shehadusedhimworsethanthehedgeitself。TheBramble，interruptinghim，said，\"Butyoureallymusthavebeenoutofyoursensestofastenyourselfonme，whoammyselfalwaysaccustomedtofastenuponothers。\"
TheWolfandtheLionAWOLF，havingstolenalambfromafold，wascarryinghimofftohislair。ALionmethiminthepath，andseizingthelamb，tookitfromhim。Standingatasafedistance，theWolfexclaimed，\"Youhaveunrighteouslytakenthatwhichwasminefromme!\"TowhichtheLionjeeringlyreplied，\"Itwasrighteouslyyours，eh？
Thegiftofafriend？\'
TheDogandtheOysterADOG，usedtoeatingeggs，sawanOysterand，openinghismouthtoitswidestextent，swalloweditdownwiththeutmostrelish，supposingittobeanegg。Soonafterwardssufferinggreatpaininhisstomach，hesaid，\"Ideserveallthistorment，formyfollyinthinkingthateverythingroundmustbeanegg。\"
Theywhoactwithoutsufficientthought，willoftenfallintounsuspecteddanger。
TheAntandtheDoveANANTwenttothebankofarivertoquenchitsthirst，andbeingcarriedawaybytherushofthestream，wasonthepointofdrowning。ADovesittingonatreeoverhangingthewaterpluckedaleafandletitfallintothestreamclosetoher。TheAntclimbedontoitandfloatedinsafetytothebank。Shortlyafterwardsabirdcatchercameandstoodunderthetree，andlaidhislime-twigsfortheDove，whichsatinthebranches。TheAnt，perceivinghisdesign，stunghiminthefoot。Inpainthebirdcatcherthrewdownthetwigs，andthenoisemadetheDovetakewing。
ThePartridgeandtheFowlerAFOWLERcaughtaPartridgeandwasabouttokillit。ThePartridgeearnestlybeggedhimtosparehislife，saying，\"Pray，master，permitmetoliveandIwillenticemanyPartridgestoyouinrecompenseforyourmercytome。\"TheFowlerreplied，\"I
shallnowwithlessscrupletakeyourlife，becauseyouarewillingtosaveitatthecostofbetrayingyourfriendsandrelations。\"
TheFleaandtheManAMAN，verymuchannoyedwithaFlea，caughthimatlast，andsaid，\"Whoareyouwhodaretofeedonmylimbs，andtocostmesomuchtroubleincatchingyou？\'TheFleareplied，\"Omydearsir，praysparemylife，anddestroymenot，forIcannotpossiblydoyoumuchharm。\"TheMan，laughing，replied，\"Nowyoushallcertainlydiebymineownhands，fornoevil，whetheritbesmallorlarge，oughttobetolerated。\"
TheThievesandtheCockSOMETHIEVESbrokeintoahouseandfoundnothingbutaCock，whomtheystole，andgotoffasfastastheycould。UponarrivingathometheypreparedtokilltheCock，whothuspleadedforhislife:\"Prayspareme；Iamveryserviceabletomen。I
wakethemupinthenighttotheirwork。\"\"Thatistheveryreasonwhywemustthemorekillyou，\"theyreplied；\"forwhenyouwakeyourneighbors，youentirelyputanendtoourbusiness。\"
Thesafeguardsofvirtuearehatefultothosewithevilintentions。
TheDogandtheCookARICHMANgaveagreatfeast，towhichheinvitedmanyfriendsandacquaintances。HisDogavailedhimselfoftheoccasiontoinviteastrangerDog，afriendofhis，saying，\"Mymastergivesafeast，andthereisalwaysmuchfoodremaining；comeandsupwithmetonight。\"TheDogthusinvitedwentatthehourappointed，andseeingthepreparationsforsograndanentertainment，saidinthejoyofhisheart，\"HowgladIamthatIcame!Idonotoftengetsuchachanceasthis。Iwilltakecareandeatenoughtolastmebothtodayandtomorrow。\"Whilehewascongratulatinghimselfandwagginghistailtoconveyhispleasuretohisfriend，theCooksawhimmovingaboutamonghisdishesand，seizinghimbyhisforeandhindpaws，bundledhimwithoutceremonyoutofthewindow。Hefellwithforceuponthegroundandlimpedaway，howlingdreadfully。Hisyellingsoonattractedotherstreetdogs，whocameuptohimandinquiredhowhehadenjoyedhissupper。Hereplied，\"Why，totellyouthetruth，IdranksomuchwinethatIremembernothing。IdonotknowhowIgotoutofthehouse。\"
TheTravelersandthePlane-TreeTWOTRAVELERS，wornoutbytheheatofthesummer\'ssun，laidthemselvesdownatnoonunderthewidespreadingbranchesofaPlane-Tree。Astheyrestedunderitsshade，oneoftheTravelerssaidtotheother，\"WhatasingularlyuselesstreeisthePlane!
Itbearsnofruit，andisnotoftheleastservicetoman。\"ThePlane-Tree，interruptinghim，said，\"Youungratefulfellows!Doyou，whilereceivingbenefitsfrommeandrestingundermyshade，daretodescribemeasuseless，andunprofitable？\'
Somemenunderratetheirbestblessings。
TheHaresandtheFrogsTHEHARES，oppressedbytheirownexceedingtimidityandwearyoftheperpetualalarmtowhichtheywereexposed，withoneaccorddeterminedtoputanendtothemselvesandtheirtroublesbyjumpingfromaloftyprecipiceintoadeeplakebelow。Astheyscamperedoffinlargenumberstocarryouttheirresolve，theFrogslyingonthebanksofthelakeheardthenoiseoftheirfeetandrushedhelter-skeltertothedeepwaterforsafety。OnseeingtherapiddisappearanceoftheFrogs，oneoftheHarescriedouttohiscompanions:\"Stay，myfriends，donotdoasyouintended；foryounowseethattherearecreatureswhoarestillmoretimidthanourselves。\"
TheLion，Jupiter，andtheElephantTHELIONweariedJupiterwithhisfrequentcomplaints。\"Itistrue，OJupiter!\"hesaid，\"thatIamgiganticinstrength，handsomeinshape，andpowerfulinattack。Ihavejawswellprovidedwithteeth，andfeetfurnishedwithclaws，andIlorditoverallthebeastsoftheforest，andwhatadisgraceitis，thatbeingsuchasIam，Ishouldbefrightenedbythecrowingofacock。\"Jupiterreplied，\"Whydoyoublamemewithoutacause？I
havegivenyoualltheattributeswhichIpossessmyself，andyourcourageneverfailsyouexceptinthisoneinstance。\"OnhearingthistheLiongroanedandlamentedverymuchand，reproachinghimselfwithhiscowardice，wishedthathemightdie。
Asthesethoughtspassedthroughhismind，hemetanElephantandcameclosetoholdaconversationwithhim。AfteratimeheobservedthattheElephantshookhisearsveryoften，andheinquiredwhatwasthematterandwhyhisearsmovedwithsuchatremoreverynowandthen。JustatthatmomentaGnatsettledontheheadoftheElephant，andhereplied，\"Doyouseethatlittlebuzzinginsect？Ifitentersmyear，myfateissealed。Ishoulddiepresently。\"TheLionsaid，\"Well，sincesohugeabeastisafraidofatinygnat，Iwillnomorecomplain，norwishmyselfdead。Ifindmyself，evenasIam，betteroffthantheElephant。\"
TheLambandtheWolfAWOLFpursuedaLamb，whichfledforrefugetoacertainTemple。
TheWolfcalledouttohimandsaid，\"ThePriestwillslayyouinsacrifice，ifheshouldcatchyou。\"OnwhichtheLambreplied，\"ItwouldbebetterformetobesacrificedintheTemplethantobeeatenbyyou。\"
TheRichManandtheTannerARICHMANlivednearaTanner，andnotbeingabletobeartheunpleasantsmellofthetan-yard，hepressedhisneighbortogoaway。TheTannerputoffhisdeparturefromtimetotime，sayingthathewouldleavesoon。Butashestillcontinuedtostay，astimewenton，therichmanbecameaccustomedtothesmell，andfeelingnomannerofinconvenience，madenofurthercomplaints。
TheShipwreckedManandtheSeaASHIPWRECKEDMAN，havingbeencastuponacertainshore，sleptafterhisbuffetingswiththedeep。Afterawhileheawoke，andlookingupontheSea，loadeditwithreproaches。Hearguedthatitenticedmenwiththecalmnessofitslooks，butwhenithadinducedthemtoplowitswaters，itgrewroughanddestroyedthem。TheSea，assumingtheformofawoman，repliedtohim:
\"Blamenotme，mygoodsir，butthewinds，forIambymyownnatureascalmandfirmevenasthisearth；butthewindssuddenlyfallingonmecreatethesewaves，andlashmeintofury。\"
TheMulesandtheRobbersTWOMULESwell-ladenwithpacksweretrudgingalong。Onecarriedpanniersfilledwithmoney，theothersacksweightedwithgrain。
TheMulecarryingthetreasurewalkedwithheaderect，asifconsciousofthevalueofhisburden，andtossedupanddowntheclear-tonedbellsfastenedtohisneck。Hiscompanionfollowedwithquietandeasystep。AllofasuddenRobbersrusheduponthemfromtheirhiding-places，andinthescufflewiththeirowners，woundedwithaswordtheMulecarryingthetreasure，whichtheygreedilyseizedwhiletakingnonoticeofthegrain。
TheMulewhichhadbeenrobbedandwoundedbewailedhismisfortunes。Theotherreplied，\"IamindeedgladthatIwasthoughtsolittleof，forIhavelostnothing，noramIhurtwithanywound。\"
TheViperandtheFileALION，enteringtheworkshopofasmith，soughtfromthetoolsthemeansofsatisfyinghishunger。HemoreparticularlyaddressedhimselftoaFile，andaskedofhimthefavorofameal。TheFilereplied，\"Youmustindeedbeasimple-mindedfellowifyouexpecttogetanythingfromme，whoamaccustomedtotakefromeveryone，andnevertogiveanythinginreturn。\"
TheLionandtheShepherdALION，roamingthroughaforest，troduponathorn。SoonafterwardhecameuptoaShepherdandfawneduponhim，wagginghistailasiftosay，\"Iamasuppliant，andseekyouraid。\"TheShepherdboldlyexaminedthebeast，discoveredthethorn，andplacinghispawuponhislap，pulleditout；thusrelievedofhispain，theLionreturnedintotheforest。Sometimeafter，theShepherd，beingimprisonedonafalseaccusation，wascondemned\"tobecasttotheLions\"asthepunishmentforhisimputedcrime。ButwhentheLionwasreleasedfromhiscage，herecognizedtheShepherdasthemanwhohealedhim，andinsteadofattackinghim，approachedandplacedhisfootuponhislap。TheKing，assoonasheheardthetale，orderedtheLiontobesetfreeagainintheforest，andtheShepherdtobepardonedandrestoredtohisfriends。
TheCamelandJupiterTHECAMEL，whenhesawtheBulladornedwithhorns，enviedhimandwishedthathehimselfcouldobtainthesamehonors。HewenttoJupiter，andbesoughthimtogivehimhorns。Jupiter，vexedathisrequestbecausehewasnotsatisfiedwithhissizeandstrengthofbody，anddesiredyetmore，notonlyrefusedtogivehimhorns，butevendeprivedhimofaportionofhisears。
ThePantherandtheShepherdsAPANTHER，bysomemischance，fellintoapit。TheShepherdsdiscoveredhim，andsomethrewsticksathimandpeltedhimwithstones，whileothers，movedwithcompassiontowardsoneabouttodieeventhoughnooneshouldhurthim，threwinsomefoodtoprolonghislife。Atnighttheyreturnedhome，notdreamingofanydanger，butsupposingthatonthemorrowtheywouldfindhimdead。ThePanther，however，whenhehadrecruitedhisfeeblestrength，freedhimselfwithasuddenboundfromthepit，andhastenedtohisdenwithrapidsteps。Afterafewdayshecameforthandslaughteredthecattle，and，killingtheShepherdswhohadattackedhim，ragedwithangryfury。Thentheywhohadsparedhislife，fearingfortheirsafety，surrenderedtohimtheirflocksandbeggedonlyfortheirlives。TothemthePanthermadethisreply:\"Irememberalikethosewhosoughtmylifewithstones，andthosewhogavemefoodaside，therefore，yourfears。Ireturnasanenemyonlytothosewhoinjuredme。\"
TheAssandtheChargerANASScongratulatedaHorseonbeingsoungrudginglyandcarefullyprovidedfor，whilehehimselfhadscarcelyenoughtoeatandnoteventhatwithouthardwork。Butwhenwarbrokeout，aheavilyarmedsoldiermountedtheHorse，andridinghimtothecharge，rushedintotheverymidstoftheenemy。TheHorsewaswoundedandfelldeadonthebattlefield。ThentheAss，seeingallthesethings，changedhismind，andcommiseratedtheHorse。
TheEagleandHisCaptorANEAGLEwasoncecapturedbyaman，whoimmediatelyclippedhiswingsandputhimintohispoultry-yardwiththeotherbirds，atwhichtreatmenttheEaglewasweigheddownwithgrief。Later，anotherneighborpurchasedhimandallowedhisfeatherstogrowagain。TheEagletookflight，andpouncinguponahare，broughtitatonceasanofferingtohisbenefactor。AFox，seeingthis，exclaimed，\"Donotcultivatethefavorofthisman，butofyourformerowner，lestheshouldagainhuntforyouanddepriveyouasecondtimeofyourwings。\"
TheBaldManandtheFlyAFLYbitthebareheadofaBaldManwho，endeavoringtodestroyit，gavehimselfaheavyslap。Escaping，theFlysaidmockingly，\"Youwhohavewishedtorevenge，evenwithdeath，thePrickofatinyinsect，seewhatyouhavedonetoyourselftoaddinsulttoinjury？\'TheBaldManreplied，\"Icaneasilymakepeacewithmyself，becauseIknowtherewasnointentiontohurt。Butyou，anill-favoredandcontemptibleinsectwhodelightsinsuckinghumanblood，IwishthatIcouldhavekilledyouevenifIhadincurredaheavierpenalty。\"
TheOlive-TreeandtheFig-TreeTHEOLIVE-TREEridiculedtheFig-Treebecause，whileshewasgreenalltheyearround，theFig-Treechangeditsleaveswiththeseasons。Ashowerofsnowfelluponthem，and，findingtheOlivefulloffoliage，itsettleduponitsbranchesandbrokethemdownwithitsweight，atoncedespoilingitofitsbeautyandkillingthetree。ButfindingtheFig-Treedenudedofleaves，thesnowfellthroughtotheground，anddidnotinjureitatall。
TheEagleandtheKiteANEAGLE，overwhelmedwithsorrow，satuponthebranchesofatreeincompanywithaKite。\"Why，\"saidtheKite，\"doIseeyouwithsucharuefullook？\'\"Iseek，\"shereplied，\"amatesuitableforme，andamnotabletofindone。\"\"Takeme，\"returnedtheKite，\"Iammuchstrongerthanyouare。\"\"Why，areyouabletosecurethemeansoflivingbyyourplunder？\'\"Well，Ihaveoftencaughtandcarriedawayanostrichinmytalons。\"TheEagle，persuadedbythesewords，acceptedhimashermate。Shortlyafterthenuptials，theEaglesaid，\"Flyoffandbringmebacktheostrichyoupromisedme。\"TheKite，soaringaloftintotheair，broughtbacktheshabbiestpossiblemouse，stinkingfromthelengthoftimeithadlainaboutthefields。\"Isthis，\"saidtheEagle，\"thefaithfulfulfillmentofyourpromisetome？\'TheKitereplied，\"ThatImightattainyourroyalhand，thereisnothingthatIwouldnothavepromised，howevermuchIknewthatImustfailintheperformance。\"
TheAssandHisDriverANASS，beingdrivenalongahighroad，suddenlystartedoffandboltedtothebrinkofadeepprecipice。Whilehewasintheactofthrowinghimselfover，hisownerseizedhimbythetail，endeavoringtopullhimback。WhentheAsspersistedinhiseffort，themanlethimgoandsaid，\"Conquer，butconquertoyourcost。\"
TheThrushandtheFowlerATHRUSHwasfeedingonamyrtle-treeanddidnotmovefromitbecauseitsberriesweresodelicious。AFowlerobservedherstayingsolonginonespot，andhavingwellbird-limedhisreeds，caughther。TheThrush，beingatthepointofdeath，exclaimed，\"OfoolishcreaturethatIam!ForthesakeofalittlepleasantfoodIhavedeprivedmyselfofmylife。\"
TheRoseandtheAmaranthANAMARANTHplantedinagardennearaRose-Tree，thusaddressedit:\"WhatalovelyfloweristheRose，afavoritealikewithGodsandwithmen。Ienvyyouyourbeautyandyourperfume。\"TheRosereplied，\"Iindeed，dearAmaranth，flourishbutforabriefseason!Ifnocruelhandpluckmefrommystem，yetImustperishbyanearlydoom。Butthouartimmortalanddostneverfade，butbloomestforeverinrenewedyouth。\"
TheFrogs\'ComplaintAgainsttheSunONCEUPONATIME，whentheSunannouncedhisintentiontotakeawife，theFrogslifteduptheirvoicesinclamortothesky。
Jupiter，disturbedbythenoiseoftheircroaking，inquiredthecauseoftheircomplaint。Oneofthemsaid，\"TheSun，nowwhileheissingle，parchesupthemarsh，andcompelsustodiemiserablyinouraridhomes。Whatwillbeourfutureconditionifheshouldbegetothersuns？\'