{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_25433/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_25433","id":"gutenberg_25433","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25433","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Children & Young Adult Reading","Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Children's Picture Books","Fables","Fables, Greek -- Adaptations"],"text":"E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Linda Cantoni, and the\nProject Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team\n(https://www.pgdp.net)\n\n\n\nNote: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file\n      which includes the original lovely illustrations.\n      See 25433-h.htm or 25433-h.zip:\n      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/4/3/25433/25433-h/25433-h.htm)\n      or\n      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/4/3/25433/25433-h.zip)\n\n\nTranscriber's note:\n\n      In the original, some titles use V for U and I for J. This\n      has been preserved in this e-book.\n\n      Spelling errors are noted with a [Transcriber's Note], but\n      obvious punctuation errors and inconsistent formatting have\n      been corrected.\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE\n  BABY'S\n    OWN\n      AESOP\n\n\nBeing the Fables Condensed in Rhyme\nwith Portable Morals\nPictorially Pointed\nby\n\nWALTER CRANE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEngraved & Printed in Colours by\nEdmund Evans\n\nLondon\nFrederick Warne and Co.\nand New York\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration: BABY'S OWN AESOP]\n\n[Illustration]\n\n[Illustration]\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nPREFACE\n\n\nFor this rhymed version of the Fables I have to thank my early friend\nand master W.J. LINTON, who kindly placed the MS. at my disposal. I\nhave added a touch here and there, but the credit of this part of the\nbook still belongs to him.\n\nWalter Crane\n\n[Illustration: ENGRAVER EE & PRINTER]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\nTo the\n  Possessors of\n    \"Baby's Opera\"\n&\n    \"Baby's Bouquet\"\nwith\n  Walter Crane's\n    Compliments\n\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n_Page_\n\n9. _The Fox and the Grapes._\n\n10. _The Cock and the Pearl._--_The Wolf and the Lamb._\n\n11. _The Wind and the Sun._\n\n12. _King Log and King Stork._\n\n13. _The Frightened Lion._\n\n14. _The Mouse and the Lion._--_The Married Mouse._\n\n15. _Hercules and the Waggoner._\n\n16. _The Lazy Housemaids._\n\n17. _The Snake and the File._--_The Fox and the Crow._\n\n18. _The Dog in the Manger._--_The Frog and the Bull._\n\n19. _The Fox and the Crane._\n\n20. _Horse and Man._--_The Ass and the Enemy._\n\n21. _The Fox and the Mosquitoes._--_The Fox and the Lion._\n\n22. _The Miser and his Gold._--_The Golden Eggs._\n\n23. _The Man that pleased None._\n\n24. _The Oak and the Reeds._--_The Fir and the Bramble._\n\n25. _The Trees and the Woodman._\n\n26. _The Hart and the Vine._\n\n27. _The Man and the Snake._\n\n28. _The Fox and the Mask._\n\n29. _The Ass in the Lion's Skin._\n\n30. _The Lion and the Statue._\n\n31. _The Boaster._\n\n32. _The Vain Jackdaw._\n\n33. _The Peacock's Complaint._\n\n34. _The Two Jars._--_The Two Crabs._\n\n35. _Brother and Sister._\n\n36. _The Fox without a Tail._\n\n37. _The Dog and the Shadow._\n\n38. _The Crow and the Pitcher._--_The Eagle and the Crow._\n\n39. _The Blind Doe._\n\n40. _The Geese and the Cranes._\n\n41. _The Trumpeter taken Prisoner._\n\n42. _Hot and Cold._\n\n43. _Neither Beast nor Bird._\n\n44. _The Stag in the Ox-stall._--_The Deer and the Lion._\n\n45. _The Lion in Love._\n\n46. _The Cat and Venus._--_Mice in Council._\n\n47. _The Hen and the Fox._--_The Cat and the Fox._\n\n48. _The Hare and the Tortoise._--_The Hares and the Frogs._\n\n49. _Porcupine, Snake & Company._--_The Bear and the Bees._\n\n50. _The Bundle of Sticks._\n\n51. _The Farmer's Treasure._\n\n52. _The Cock, the Ass, and the Lion._--_The Ass and the Lap Dog._\n\n53. _Fortune and the Boy._\n\n54. _The Ungrateful Wolf._--_The Fisherman and the Fish._\n\n55. _The Herdsman's Votes._--_The Horse and the Ass._\n\n56. _The Ass and the Sick Lion._\n\n\n\n\nAESOP'S FABLES\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX & THE GRAPES\n\n\nThis Fox has a longing for grapes,\nHe jumps, but the bunch still escapes.\n  So he goes away sour;\n  And, 'tis said, to this hour\nDeclares that he's no taste for grapes.\n\nTHE GRAPES OF DISAPPOINTMENT ARE ALWAYS SOUR\n\n\n\n\nTHE COCK & THE PEARL\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA rooster, while scratching for grain,\nFound a Pearl. He just paused to explain\n  That a jewel's no good\n  To a fowl wanting food,\nAnd then kicked it aside with disdain.\n\nIF HE ASK BREAD WILL YE GIVE HIM A STONE?\n\n\n\n\nTHE WOLF AND THE LAMB\n\n\nA wolf, wanting lamb for his dinner,\nGrowled out--\"Lamb you wronged me, you sinner.\"\n  Bleated Lamb--\"Nay, not true!\"\n  Answered Wolf--\"Then 'twas Ewe--\nEwe or lamb, you will serve for my dinner.\"\n\nFRAUD AND VIOLENCE HAVE NO SCRUPLES\n\n\n\n\nTHE WIND & THE SUN\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Wind and the Sun had a bet,\nThe wayfarers' cloak which should get:\n  Blew the Wind--the cloak clung:\n  Shone the Sun--the cloak flung\nShowed the Sun had the best of it yet.\n\nTRUE STRENGTH IS NOT BLUSTER\n\n\n\n\nKING LOG & KING STORK\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Frogs prayed to Jove for a king:\n\"Not a log, but a livelier thing.\"\n  Jove sent them a Stork,\n  Who did royal work,\nFor he gobbled them up, did their king.\n\nDON'T HAVE KINGS\n\n\n\n\nTHE FRIGHTENED LION\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Bull Frog, according to rule,\nSat a-croak in his usual pool:\n  And he laughed in his heart\n  As a Lion did start\nIn a fright from the brink like a fool.\n\nIMAGINARY FEARS ARE THE WORST\n\n\n\n\nTHE MOUSE & THE LION\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA poor thing the Mouse was, and yet,\nWhen the Lion got caught in a net,\n  All his strength was no use\n  'Twas the poor little Mouse\nWho nibbled him out of the net.\n\nSMALL CAUSES MAY PRODUCE GREAT RESULTS\n\n\n\n\nTHE MARRIED MOUSE\n\n\nSo the Mouse had Miss Lion for bride;\nVery great was his joy and his pride:\n  But it chanced that she put\n  On her husband her foot,\nAnd the weight was too much, so he died.\n\nONE MAY BE TOO AMBITIOUS\n\n\n\n\nHERCULES & THE WAGGONER\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nWhen the God saw the Waggoner kneel,\nCrying, \"Hercules! Lift me my wheel\n  From the mud, where 'tis stuck!\"\n  He laughed--\"No such luck;\nSet your shoulder yourself to the wheel.\"\n\nTHE GODS HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES\n\n\n\n\nTHE LAZY HOUSEMAIDS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nTwo Maids killed the Rooster whose warning\nAwoke them too soon every morning:\n  But small were their gains,\n  For their Mistress took pains\nTo rouse them herself without warning.\n\nLAZINESS IS ITS OWN PUNISHMENT\n\n\n\n\nTHE SNAKE & THE FILE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Snake, in a fix, tried a File\nFor a dinner. \"'Tis not worth your while,\"\n  Said the steel, \"don't mistake;\n  I'm accustomed to _take_,\nTo _give's_ not the way of a File.\"\n\nWE MAY MEET OUR MATCH\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX & THE CROW\n\n\nSaid sly Fox to the Crow with the cheese,\n\"Let me hear your sweet voice, now do please!\"\n  And this Crow, being weak,\n  Cawed the bit from her beak--\n\"Music charms,\" said the Fox, \"and here's cheese!\"\n\nBEWARE OF FLATTERERS\n\n\n\n\nTHE DOG IN THE MANGER\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Cow sought a mouthful of hay;\nBut a Dog in the manger there lay,\n  And he snapped out \"how now?\"\n  When most mildly, the Cow\nAdventured a morsel to pray.\n\nDON'T BE SELFISH\n\n\n\n\nTHE FROG & THE BULL\n\n\nSaid the Frog, quite puffed up to the eyes,\n\"Was this Bull about me as to size?\"\n  \"Rather bigger, frog-brother.\"\n  \"Puff, puff,\" said the other,\n\"A Frog is a Bull if he tries!\"\n\nBRAG IS NOT ALWAYS BELIEF\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX & THE CRANE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nYou have heard how Sir Fox treated Crane:\nWith soup in a plate. When again\n  They dined, a long bottle\n  Just suited Crane's throttle;\nAnd Sir Fox licked the outside in vain.\n\nTHERE ARE GAMES THAT TWO CAN PLAY AT\n\n\n\n\nHORSE AND MAN\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nWhen the Horse first took Man on his back,\nTo help him the Stag to attack;\n  How little his dread,\n  As the enemy fled,\nMan would make him his slave & his hack.\n\nADVANTAGES MAY BE DEARLY BOUGHT\n\n\n\n\nTHE ASS & THE ENEMY\n\n\n\"Get up! let us flee from the Foe,\"\nSaid the Man: but the Ass said, \"Why so?\"\n  \"Will they double my load,\n  Or my blows? Then, by goad,\nAnd by stirrup, I've no cause to go.\"\n\nYOUR REASONS ARE NOT MINE\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX & THE MOSQUITOES\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nBeing plagued with Mosquitoes one day,\nSaid old Fox, \"pray don't send them away,\n  For a hungrier swarm\n  Would work me more harm;\nI had rather the full ones should stay.\"\n\nTHERE WERE POLITICIANS IN AESOP'S TIME\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX & THE LION\n\n\nThe first time the Fox had a sight\nOf the Lion, he 'most died of fright;\n  When he next met his eye,\n  Fox felt just a bit shy;\nBut the next--quite at ease, & polite.\n\nFAMILIARITY DESTROYS FEAR\n\n\n\n\nTHE MISER & HIS GOLD\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nHe buried his Gold in a hole.\nOne saw, and the treasure he stole.\n  Said another, \"What matter?\n  Don't raise such a clatter,\nYou can still go & sit by the hole.\"\n\nUSE ALONE GIVES VALUE\n\n\n\n\nTHE GOLDEN EGGS\n\n\nA golden Egg, one every day,\nThat simpleton's Goose used to lay;\n  So he killed the poor thing,\n  Swifter fortune to bring,\nAnd dined off his fortune that day.\n\nGREED OVEREACHES ITSELF\n\n[Transcriber's Note: 'OVEREACHES' should be 'OVERREACHES']\n\n\n\n\nTHE MAN THAT PLEASED NONE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThrough the town this good Man & his Son\nStrove to ride as to please everyone:\n  Self, Son, or both tried,\n  Then the Ass had a ride;\nWhile the world, at their efforts, poked fun.\n\nYOU CANNOT HOPE TO PLEASE ALL--DON'T TRY\n\n\n\n\nTHE OAK & THE REEDS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nGiant Oak, in his strength & his scorn\nOf the winds, by the roots was uptorn:\n  But slim Reeds at his side,\n  The fierce gale did outride,\nSince, by bending the burden was borne.\n\nBEND, NOT BREAK\n\n\n\n\nTHE FIR & THE BRAMBLE\n\n\nThe Fir-tree looked down on the Bramble.\n\"Poor thing, only able to scramble\n  About on the ground.\"\n  Just then an axe' sound\nMade the Fir wish himself but a Bramble.\n\nPRIDE OF PLACE HAS ITS DISADVANTAGES\n\n\n\n\nTHE TREES & THE WOODMAN\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Trees ask of Man what he lacks;\n\"One bit, just to handle my axe?\"\n  All he asks--well and good:\n  But he cuts down the wood,\nSo well does he handle his axe!\n\n\"GIVE ME AN INCH & I'LL TAKE AN ELL\"\n\n\n\n\nTHE HART & THE VINE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Hart by the hunters pursued,\nSafely hid in a Vine, till he chewed\n  The sweet tender green,\n  And, through shaking leaves seen,\nHe was slain by his ingratitude.\n\nSPARE YOUR BENEFACTORS\n\n\n\n\nTHE MAN & THE SNAKE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nIn pity he brought the poor Snake\nTo be warmed at his fire. A mistake!\n  For the ungrateful thing\n  Wife & children would sting.\nI have known some as bad as the Snake.\n\nBEWARE HOW YOU ENTERTAIN TRAITORS\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX & THE MASK\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Fox with his foot on a Mask,\nThus took the fair semblance to task;\n  \"You're a real handsome face;\n  But what part of your case\nAre your brains in, good Sir! let me ask?\"\n\nMASKS ARE THE FACES OF SHAMS\n\n\n\n\nTHE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\"What pranks I shall play!\" thought the Ass,\n\"In this skin for a Lion to pass;\"\n  But he left one ear out,\n  And a hiding, no doubt,\n\"Lion\" had--on the skin of an Ass!\n\nIMPOSTERS GENERALLY FORGET SOMETHING\n\n\n\n\nTHE LION & THE STATVE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nOn a Statue--king Lion dethroned,\nShowing conqueror Man,--Lion frowned.\n  \"If a Lion, you know,\n  Had been sculptor, he'd show\nLion rampant, and Man on the ground.\"\n\nTHE STORY DEPENDS ON THE TELLER\n\n\n\n\nTHE BOASTER\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nIn the house, in the market, the streets,\nEverywhere he was boasting his feats;\n  Till one said, with a sneer,\n  \"Let us see it done here!\nWhat's so oft done with ease, one repeats.\"\n\nDEEDS NOT WORDS\n\n\n\n\nTHE VAIN JACKDAW\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\"Fine feathers,\" Jack thought, \"make fine fowls;\nI'll be envied of bats & of owls:\"\n  But the peacocks' proud eyes\n  Saw through his disguise,\nAnd Jack fled the assembly of fowls.\n\nBORROWED PLUMES ARE SOON DISCOVERED\n\n\n\n\nTHE PEACOCK'S COMPLAINT\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Peacock considered it wrong\nThat he had not the nightingale's song;\n  So to Juno he went,\n  She replied, \"Be content\nWith thy having, & hold thy fool's tongue!\"\n\nDO NOT QUARREL WITH NATURE\n\n\n\n\nTHE TWO JARS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\"Never fear!\" said The Brass to the Clay\nOf two Jars that the flood bore away:\n  \"Keep you close to my side!\"\n  But the porcelain replied,\n\"I'll be smashed if beside you I stay.\"\n\nOUR FRIEND OUR ENEMY\n\n\n\n\nTHE TWO CRABS\n\n\n\"So awkward, so shambling a gait!\"\nMrs Crab did her daughter berate,\n  Who rejoined, \"It is true\n  I am backward; but you\nNeeded lessons in walking quite late.\"\n\nLOOK AT HOME\n\n\n\n\nBROTHER & SISTER\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nTwin children: the Girl, she was plain;\nThe Brother was handsome & vain;\n  \"Let him brag of his looks,\"\n  Father said; \"mind your books!\nThe best beauty is bred in the brain.\"\n\nHANDSOME IS AS HANDSOME DOES\n\n\n\n\nTHE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSaid Fox, minus tail in a trap,\n\"My friends! here's a lucky mishap:\n  Give your tails a short lease!\"\n  But the foxes weren't geese,\nAnd none followed the fashion of trap.\n\nYET SOME FASHIONS HAVE NO BETTER REASON\n\n\n\n\nTHE DOG & THE SHADOW\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nHis image the Dog did not know,\nOr his bone's, in the pond's painted show:\n  \"T'other dog,\" so he thought\n  \"Has got more than he ought,\"\nSo he snapped, & his dinner saw go!\n\nGREED IS SOMETIMES CAUGHT BY ITS OWN BAIT\n\n\n\n\nTHE CROW & THE PITCHER\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nHow the cunning old Crow got his drink\nWhen 'twas low in the pitcher, just think!\n  Don't say that he spilled it!\n  With pebbles he filled it,\nTill the water rose up to the brink.\n\nUSE YOUR WITS\n\n\n\n\nTHE EAGLE AND THE CROW\n\nThe Eagle flew off with a lamb;\nThen the Crow thought to lift an old ram,\n  In his eaglish conceit,\n  The wool tangled his feet,\nAnd the shepherd laid hold of the sham.\n\nBEWARE OF OVERRATING YOUR OWN POWERS\n\n\n\n\nTHE BLIND DOE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA poor half-blind Doe her one eye\nKept shoreward, all danger to spy,\n  As she fed by the sea,\n  Poor innocent! she\nWas shot from a boat passing by.\n\nWATCH ON ALL SIDES\n\n\n\n\nTHE GEESE & THE CRANES\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Geese joined the Cranes in some wheat;\nAll was well, till, disturbed at their treat,\n  Light-winged, the Cranes fled,\n  But the slow Geese, well fed,\nCouldn't rise, and were caught in retreat.\n\nBEWARE OF ENTERPRIZES WHERE THE RISKS ARE NOT EQUAL\n\n\n\n\nTHE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Trumpeter, prisoner made,\nHoped his life would be spared when he said\n  He'd no part in the fight,\n  But they answered him--\"Right,\nBut what of the music you made?\"\n\nSONGS MAY SERVE A CAUSE AS WELL AS SWORDS\n\n\n\n\nHOT AND COLD\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nWhen to warm his cold fingers man blew,\nAnd again, but to cool the hot stew;\n  Simple Satyr, unused\n  To man's ways, felt confused,\nWhen the same mouth blew hot & cold too!\n\nAESOP AIMED AT DOUBLE DEALING\n\n\n\n\nNEITHER BEAST NOR BIRD\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Beast he would be, or a bird,\nAs might suit, thought the Bat: but he erred.\n  When the battle was done,\n  He found that no one\nWould take him for friend at his word.\n\nBETWEEN TWO STOOLS YOU MAY COME TO THE GROUND\n\n\n\n\nTHE STAG IN THE OX STALL\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSafe enough lay the poor hunted Deer\nIn the ox-stall, with nothing to fear\n  From the careless-eyed men:\n  Till the Master came; then\nThere was no hiding-place for the Deer.\n\nAN EYE IS KEEN IN ITS OWN INTEREST\n\n\n\n\nTHE DEER & THE LION\n\n\nFrom the hounds the swift Deer sped away,\nTo his cave, where in past times he lay\n  Well concealed; unaware\n  Of a Lion couched there,\nFor a spring that soon made him his prey.\n\nFATE CAN MEET AS WELL AS FOLLOW\n\n\n\n\nTHE LION IN LOVE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThough the Lion in love let them draw\nAll his teeth, and pare down every claw,\n  He'd no bride for his pains,\n  For they beat out his brains\nEre he set on his maiden a paw.\n\nOUR VERY MEANS MAY DEFEAT OUR ENDS\n\n\n\n\nTHE CAT AND VENUS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\"Might his Cat be a woman,\" he said:\nVenus changed her: the couple were wed:\n  But a mouse in her sight\n  Metamorphosed her quite,\nAnd for bride, a cat found he instead.\n\nNATURE WILL OUT\n\n\n\n\nMICE IN COUNCIL\n\n\nAgainst Cat sat a Council of Mice.\nEvery Mouse came out prompt with advice;\n  And a bell on Cat's throat\n  Would have met a round vote,\nHad the bell-hanger not been so nice.\n\nTHE BEST POLICY OFTEN TURNS ON AN IF\n\n\n\n\nTHE HEN AND THE FOX\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Hen roosted high on her perch;\nHungry Fox down below, on the search,\n  Coaxed her hard to descend\n  She replied, \"Most dear friend!\nI feel more secure on my perch.\"\n\nBEWARE OF INTERESTED FRIENDSHIPS\n\n\n\n\nTHE CAT AND THE FOX\n\n\nThe Fox said \"I can play, when it fits,\nMany wiles that with man make me quits.\"\n  \"But my trick's up a tree!\"\n  Said the Cat, safe to see\nClever Fox hunted out of his wits.\n\nTRUST TO SKILL RATHER THAN WIT\n\n\n\n\nTHE HARE AND THE TORTOISE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n'Twas a race between Tortoise and Hare,\nPuss was sure she'd so much time to spare,\n  That she lay down to sleep,\n  And let old Thick-shell creep\nTo the winning post first!--You may stare.\n\nPERSISTENCE BEATS IMPULSE\n\n\n\n\nTHE HARES AND THE FROGS\n\n\nTimid Hares, from the trumpeting wind,\nFled as swift as the fear in their mind;\n  Till in fright from their fear,\n  From the green sedges near,\nLeaping Frogs left their terror behind.\n\nOUR OWN ARE NOT THE ONLY TROUBLES\n\n\n\n\nPORCUPINE, SNAKE, & COMPANY\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nGoing shares with the Snakes, Porcupine\nSaid--\"the best of the bargain is mine:\"\n  Nor would he back down,\n  When the snake would disown\nThe agreement his quills made them sign.\n\nHASTY PARTNERSHIPS MAY BE REPENTED OF\n\n\n\n\nTHE BEAR & THE BEES\n\n\n\"Their honey I'll have when I please;\nWho cares for such small things as Bees?\"\n  Said the Bear; but the stings\n  Of these very small things\nLeft him not very much at his ease.\n\nTHE WEAKEST UNITED MAY BE STRONG TO AVENGE\n\n\n\n\nTHE BUNDLE OF STICKS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nTo his sons, who fell out, father spake:\n\"This Bundle of Sticks you can't break;\n  Take them singly, with ease,\n  You may break as you please,\nSo, dissension your strength will unmake.\"\n\nSTRENGTH IS IN UNITY\n\n\n\n\nTHE FARMER'S TREASURE\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\"Dig deeply, my Sons! through this field!\nThere's a Treasure\"--he died: unrevealed\n  The spot where 'twas laid,\n  They dug as he bade;\nAnd the Treasure was found in the yield.\n\nPRODUCTIVE LABOUR IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF WEALTH\n\n\n\n\nTHE COCK, THE ASS & THE LION\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nThe Ass gave a horrible bray,\nCock crowed; Lion scampered away;\n  Ass judged he was scared\n  By the bray, and so dared\nTo pursue; Lion ate him they say.\n\nDON'T TAKE ALL THE CREDIT TO YOURSELF\n\n\n\n\nTHE ASS AND THE LAP DOG\n\n\n\"How Master that little Dog pets!\"\nThinks the Ass; & with jealousy frets,\n  So he climbs Master's knees,\n  Hoping dog-like to please,\nAnd a drubbing is all that he gets.\n\nASSES MUST NOT EXPECT TO BE FONDLED\n\n\n\n\nFORTVNE AND THE BOY\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Boy heedless slept by the well\nBy Dame Fortune awaked, truth to tell,\n  Said she, \"Hadst been drowned,\n  'Twould have surely been found\nThis by Fortune, not Folly befel.\"\n\nFORTUNE IS NOT ANSWERABLE FOR OUR WANT OF FORESIGHT\n\n\n\n\nTHE UNGRATEFUL WOLF\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nTo the Wolf, from whose throat Dr Crane\nDrew the bone, his long bill made it plain\n  He expected his fee:\n  Snarled Wolf--\"Fiddle de dee,\nBe thankful your head's out again.\"\n\nSOME CHARACTERS HAVE NO SENSE OF OBLIGATION\n\n\n\n\nTHE FISHERMAN & THE FISH\n\n\nPrayed the Fish, as the Fisherman took\nHim, a poor little mite, from his hook,\n  \"Let me go! I'm so small.\"\n  He replied, \"Not at all!\nYou're the biggest, perhaps in the brook.\"\n\nA LITTLE CERTAINTY IS BETTER THAN A GREAT CHANCE\n\n\n\n\nTHE HERDSMAN'S VOWS\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nA Kid vowed to Jove, so might he\nFind his herd, & his herd did he see\n  Soon, of lions the prey:\n  Then 'twas--\"Get me away,\nAnd a goat of the best take for fee.\"\n\nHOW OFTEN WOULD WE MEND OUR WISHES!\n\n\n\n\nTHE HORSE AND THE ASS\n\n\nOverladen the Ass was. The Horse\nWouldn't help; but had time for remorse\n  When the Ass lay dead there;\n  For he then had to bear\nBoth the load of the Ass & his corse.\n\nGRUDGE NOT HELP!\n\n\n\n\nTHE ASS & THE SICK LION\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nCrafty Lion,--perhaps with the gout,\nKept his cave; where, to solve any doubt,\n  Many visitors go:\n  But the Ass, he said \"No!\nThey go in, but I've seen none come out.\"\n\nREASON FROM RESULTS","title":"The Baby's Own Aesop","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":3369}