全233件 (233件中 1-50件目)
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[Aesop] The Miller, His Son & Their Ass
A miller, accompanied by his young son, was driving his ass to market in hopes of finding a purchaser for him.On the road they met a troop of girls, laughing and talking, who exclaimed, 'Did you ever see such a pair of fools? To be trudging along the dusty road when they might be riding!'The miller thought there was sense in what they said; so he made his son mount the ass, and himself walked at the side.Presently they met some of his old cronies, who greeted them and said, 'You'll spoil that son of yours, letting him ride while you toil along on foot! Make him walk, young lazybones!'The miller followed their advice, and took his son's place on the back of the ass while the boy trudged along behind.They had not gone far when they overtook a party of women and children, and the miller heard them say, 'What a selfish old man! He himself rides in comfort, but lets his poor little boy follow as best he can on his own legs!'So he made his son get up behind him.Further along the road they met some travellers, who asked the miller whether the ass he was riding was his own property, or a beast hired for the occasion.He replied that it was his own, and that he was taking it to market to sell.'Good heavens!' said they, 'with a load like that the poor beast will be so exhausted by the time he gets there that no one will look at him. Why, you'd do better to carry him!''Anything to please you,' said the old man, 'we can but try.'So they got off, tied the ass's legs together with a rope and slung him on a pole, and at last reached the town, carrying him between them.This was so absurd a sight that the people ran out in crowds to laugh at it, and chaffed the father and son unmercifully, some even calling them lunatics.They had then got to a bridge over the river, where the ass, frightened by the noise and his unusual situation, kicked and struggled till he broke the ropes that bound him, and fell into the water and was drowned.Whereupon the unfortunate miller, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, convinced that in trying to please all he had pleased none, and had lost his ass into the bargain.
Apr 16, 2007
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[Aesop] The Wolf & the Boy
A wolf, who had just enjoyed a good meal and was in a playful mood, caught sight of a boy lying flat upon the ground, and, realising that he was trying to hide, and that it was fear of himself that made him do this, he went up to him and said, 'Aha, I've found you, you see; but if you can say three things to me, the truth of which cannot be disputed, I will spare your life.'The boy plucked up courage and thought for a moment, and then he said, 'First, it is a pity you saw me; secondly,k I was a fool to let myself be seen; and thirdly, we all hate wolves because they are always making unprovoked attacks upon our flocks.'The wolf replied, 'Well, what you say is true enough from your point of view; so you may go.'
Apr 15, 2007
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[Aesop] The Eagle, the Jackdaw & the Shepherd
One day a jackdaw saw an eagle swoop down on a lamb and carry it off in its talons.'My word,' said the jackdaw, 'I'll do that myself.'So it flew high up into the air, and then came shooting down with a great whirring of wings on to the back of a big ram.It had no sooner alighted than its claws got caught fast in the wool, and nothing it could do was of any use: there it stuck, flapping away, and only making things worse instead of better.By and by, up came the shepherd.'Oho,' he said,' so that's what you'd be doing, is it?' And he took the jackdaw, and clipped its wings and carried it home to his children.It looked so odd that they didn't know what to make of it.'What sort of bird is it, father?' they asked.'It's a jackdaw,' he replied, 'and nothing but a jackdaw: but it wants to be taken for an eagle.'If you attempt what is beyond your power, your trouble will be wasted and you court not only misfortune but ridicule.
Apr 14, 2007
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[Aesop] The Man & His Two Sweethearts
A man of middle age, whose hair was turning grey, had two sweethearts, an old woman and a young one.The older of the two didn't like having a lover who looked so much younger than herself; so, whenever he came to see her, she used to pull the dark hairs out of his head to make him look old.The younger, on the other hand, didn't like him to look so much older than herself, and took every opportunity of pulling out the grey hairs, to make him look young.Between them, they left not a hair in his head, and he became perfectly bald.
Apr 13, 2007
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[Aesop] The Birds, the Beasts & the Bat
The birds were at war with the beasts, and many battles were fought with varying success on either side.The bat did not throw in his lot definitely with either party, but when things went well for the birds he was found fighting in their ranks; when, on the other hand, the beasts got the upper hand, he was to be found among the beasts.No one paid any attention to him while the war lasted: but wen it was over, and peace was restored, neither the birds nor the beasts would have anything to do with so double-faced a traitor, and so he remains to this day a solitary outcast from both.
Apr 12, 2007
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[Aesop] The Flea & the Ox
A flea once said to an ox, 'How comes it that a big strong fellow like you is content to serve mankind, and do all their hard work for them, while I, who am no bigger than you see, live on their bodies and drink my fill of their flood, and never do a stroke for it all?'To which the ox replied, 'Men are very kind to me, and so I am grateful to them: they feed and house me well, and every now and then they show their fondness for me by patting me on the head and neck.''They'd pat me, too,' said the flea, 'If I let them: but I take good care they don't, or there would be nothing left of me.'
Apr 11, 2007
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[Aesop] The Travellers & the Plane Tree
Two travellers were walking along a bare and dusty road in the heat of a summer's day.Coming presently to a plane tree, they joyfully turned aside to shelter from the burning rays of the sun in the deep shade of its spreading branches.As they rested, looking up into the tree, one of them remarked to his companion, 'What a useless tree the plane is It bears no fruit and is of no service to man at all.'The plane tree interrupted him with indignation.'You ungrateful creature!' it cried: 'you come and take shelter under me from the scorching sun, and then, in the very act of enjoying the cool shade of my foliage, you abuse me and call me good for nothing!'Many a service is met with ingratitude.
Apr 10, 2007
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[Aesop] The Sick Man & the Doctor
A sick man received a visit from his doctor, who asked him how he was.'Fairly well, doctor,' said he, 'but I find I sweat a great deal.''Ah,' said the doctor, 'that's a good sign.'On his next visit he asked the same question, and his patient replied.'I'm much as usual, but I've taken to having shivering fits, which leave me cold all over.''Ah,' said the doctor, 'that's a good sign too.'When he came the third time and inquired as before about his patient's health, the sick man said that he felt very feverish.'A very good sign,' said the doctor; 'you are doing very nicely indeed.'Afterwards a friend came to see the invalid, and on asking him how he did, received this reply: 'My dear friend, I'm dying of good signs.'
Apr 9, 2007
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[Aesop] The Monkey & the Camel
At a gathering of all the beasts the monkey gave an exhibition of dancing and entertained the company vastly.There was great applause at the finish, which excited the envy of the camel and made him desire to win the favour of the assembly by the same means.So he got up from his place and began dancing, but he cut such a ridiculous figure as he plunged about, and made such a grotesque exhibition of his ungainly person, that the beasts all fell upon him with ridicule and drove him away.
Apr 8, 2007
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[Aesop] The Ass & the Wolf
An ass was feeding in a meadow, and, catching sight of his enemy the wolf in the distance pretended to be very lame and hobbled painfully along.When the wolf came up, he asked the ass how he came to be so lame, and the ass replied that in going through a hedge he had trodden on a thorn, and he begged the wolf to pull it out with his teeth.'In case,' he said, 'when you eat me, it should stick in your throat and hurt you very much.'The wolf said he would, and told the ass to lift up his foot, and gave his whole mind to getting out the thorn.But the ass suddenly let out with his heels and fetched the wolf a fearful kick in the mouth, breaking his teeth; and then he galloped off at full speed.As soon as he could speak the wolf growled to himself, 'It serves me right: my father taught me to kill, and I ought to have stuck to that trade instead of attempting to cure.'
Apr 7, 2007
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[Aesop] The Bald Man & the Fly
A fly settled on the head of a bald man and bit him.In his eagerness to kill it, he hit himself a smart slap.But the fly escaped, and said to him in derision, 'You tried to kill me for just one little bite; what will you do to yourself now, for the heavy smack you have just given yourself?''Oh, for that blow I bear no grudge,' he replied, 'for I never intended myself any harm; but as for you, you contemptible insect,m who live by sucking human blood, I'd have borne a good deal more than that for the satisfaction of dashing the life out of you!'
Apr 6, 2007
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[Aesop] The Belly & the Members
The members of the body once rebelled against the belly.'You,' they said to the belly, 'live in luxury and sloth, and never do a stroke of work; while we not only have to do all the hard work there is to be done, but are actually your slaves and have to minister to all your wants. Now, we will do so no longer, and you can shift for yourself for the future.'They were as good as their word, and left the belly to starve.The result was just what might have been expected: the whole body soon began to fail, and the members and all shared in the general collapse.And then they saw too late how foolish they had been.
Apr 5, 2007
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[Aesop] The Ass, the Cock & the Lion
An ass and a cock were in a cattle-pen together.Presently a lion, who had been starving for days, came along and was just about to fall upon the ass and make a meal of him when the cock, rising to his full height and flapping his wings vigorously, uttered a tremendous crow.Now, if there is one thing that frightens a lion, it is the crowing of a cock: and this one had no sooner heard the noise than he fled.The ass was mightily elated at this, and thought that, if the lion couldn't face a cock, he would be still less likely to stand up to an ass: so he ran out and pursued him.But when the two had got well out of sight and hearing of the cock, the lion suddenly turned upon the ass and ate him up.False confidence often leads to disaster.
Apr 4, 2007
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[Aesop] The Cobbler Turned Doctor
A very unskilful cobbler, finding himself unable to make a living at his trade, gave up mending boots and took to doctoring instead.He gave out that he had the secret of a universal antidote against all poisons, and acquired no small reputation, thanks to his talent for puffing himself.One day, however, he fell very ill; and the king of the country bethought him that he would test the value of his remedy.Calling, therefore, for a cup, he poured out a dose of the antidote, and, under pretence of mixing poison with it, added a little water, and commanded him to drink it.Terrified by the fear of being poisoned, the cobbler confessed that he knew nothing about medicine, and that his antidote was worthless.Then the king summoned his subjects and addressed them as follows: 'What folly could be greater than yours? here is this cobbler to whom no one will send his boots to be mended, and yet you have not hesitated to entrust him with your lives!'
Apr 3, 2007
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[Aesop] The Two Frogs
Two frogs were neighbours.One lived in marsh, where there was plenty of water, which frogs love: the other in a lane some distance away, where all the water to be had was that which lay in the ruts after rain.The marsh frog warned his friend and pressed him to come and live with him in the marsh, for he would find his quarters there far more comfortable and - what was still more important - more safe.But the other refused, saying that he could not bring himself to move from a place to which he had become accustomed.A few days afterwards a heavy waggon came down the lane, and he was crushed to death under the wheels.
Apr 2, 2007
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[Aesop] The Farmer & the Viper
One winter a farmer found a viper frozen and numb with cold, and out of pity picked it up and placed it in his bosom.The viper was no sooner revived by the warmth than it turned upon its benefactor and inflicted a fatal bite upon him; and as the poor man lay dying, he cried, 'I have only got what I deserved, for taking compassion on so villainous a creature.'Kindness is thrown away upon the evil.
Apr 1, 2007
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[Aesop] The Grasshopper & the Ants
One fine day in winter some ants were busy drying their store of corn, which had got rather damp during a long spell of rain.Presently up came a grasshopper and begged them to spare her a few grains, 'For', she said, 'I'm simply starving.'The ants stopped work for a moment, though this was against their principles.'May we ask,' said they, 'what you were doing with yourself all last summer ?''The fact is,' replied the grasshopper, 'I was so busy singing that I hadn't the time.''If you spent the summer singing,' replied the ants, 'you can't do better than spend the winter dancing.'And they chuckled and went on with their work.
Mar 31, 2007
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[Aesop] The Grasshopper & the Owl
An owl, who lived in a hollow tree, was in the habit of feeding by night and sleeping by day; but her slumbers were greatly disturbed by the chirping of a grasshopper, who had taken up his abode in the branches.She begged him repeatedly to have some consideration for her comfort, but the grasshopper, if anything, only chirped the louder.At last the owl could stand it no longer, but determined to rid herself of the pest by means of a trick.Addressing herself to the grasshopper, she said in her pleasantest manner, 'As I cannot sleep for your song, which, believe me, is as sweet as the notes of Apollo's lyre, I have a mind to taste some nectar which Minerva gave me the other day. Won't you come in and join me?'The grasshopper was flattered by the praise of his song, and his mouth, too, watered at the mention of the delicious drink, so he said he would be delighted.No sooner had he got inside the hollow where the owl was sitting than she pounced upon him and ate him up.
Mar 30, 2007
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[Aesop] The Charger & the Miller
A orse, who had been used to carry his rider into battle, felt himself growing old and chose to work in a mill instead.He now no longer found himself stepping out proudly to the beating of the drums, but was compelled to slave away all day grinding the corn.Bewailing his hard lot, he said one day to the miller, 'Ah me! I was once a splendid war-horse, gaily caparisoned, and attended by a groom whose sole duty was to see to my wants.How different is my present condition! I wish I had never given up the battlefield for the mill.'The miller replied with asperity, 'It's no use your regretting the past. Fortune has many ups and downs: you must just take them as they come.'
Mar 29, 2007
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[Aesop] The Farmer & the Stork
A farmer set some traps in a field which be had lately sown with corn, in order to catch the cranes which came to pick up the seed.When he returned to look at his traps he found several cranes caught, and among them a stork, which begged to be let go, and said, 'You ought not to kill me: I am not a crane, but a stork, as you can easily see by my feathers, and I am the most honest and harmless of birds.'But the farmer replied, 'It's nothing to me what you are: I find you among these cranes, who ruin my crops, and, like them, you shall suffer.'If you choose bad companions no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself.
Mar 28, 2007
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[Aesop] The Wolf & the Shepherd
A wolf hung about near a flock of sheep for a long time, but made no attempt to molest them.The shepherd at first kept a sharp eye on him, for he naturally thought he meant mischief: but as time went by and the wolf showed no inclination to meddle with the flock, he began to look upon him more as a protector than as an enemy: and when one day some errand took him to the city, he felt no uneasiness at leaving the wolf with the sheep.But as soon as his back was turned the wolf attacked them and killed the greater number.When the shepherd returned and saw the havoc he had wrought, he cried, 'It serves me right for trusting my flock to a wolf.'
Mar 27, 2007
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[Aesop] The Cock & the Jewel
A cock, scratching the ground for something to eat, turned up a jewel that had by chance been dropped there.'Ho!' said he, 'a fine thing you are, no doubt, and, had your owner found you, great would his joy have been. But for me! give me a single grain of corn before all the jewels in the world.!
Mar 26, 2007
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[Aesop] The Fly & the Draught-Mule
A fly sat on one of the shafts of a cart and said to the mule who was pulling it, 'How slow you are! Do mend your pace, or I shall have to use my sting as a goad.'The mule was not in the least disturbed.'Behind me, in the cart,' said he, 'sits my master. He holds the reins, and flicks me with his whip, and him I obey, but I don't want any of your impertinence.I know when I may dawdle and when I may not.'
Mar 25, 2007
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[Aesop] The Stag with One Eye
A stag, blind of one eye, was grazing close to the sea-shore and kept his sound eye turned towards the land, so as to be able to perceive the approach of the hounds, while the blind eye he turned towards the sea, never suspecting that any danger would threaten him from that quarter.As it fell out, however, some sailors, coasting along the shore, spied him and shot an arrow at him, by which he was mortally wounded.As he lay dying, he said to himself, 'Wretch that I am! I bethought me of the dangers of the land, whence none assailed me: but I feared no peril from the sea, yet thence has come my ruin.'Misfortune often assails us from an unexpected quarter.
Mar 24, 2007
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[Aesop] The Crow & the Swan
A crow was filled with envy on seeing the beautiful white plumage of a swan, and thought it was due to the water in which the swan constantly bathed and swam.So he left the neighbourhood of the altars, where he got his living by picking up bits of the meat offered in sacrifice, and went and lived among the pools and streams.But though he bathed and washed his feathers many times a day, he didn't make them any whiter, and at last died of hunger into the bargain.You may change your habits, but not your nature.
Mar 23, 2007
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[Aesop] Venus & the Cat
A cat fell in love with a handsome young man, and begged the goddess Venus to change her into a woman.Venus was very gracious about it, and changed her at once into a beautiful maiden, whom the young man fell in love with at first sight and shortly afterwards married.One day Venus thought she would like to see whether the cat had changed her habits as well as her form; so she let a mouse run loose in the room where they were.Forgetting everything, the young woman had no sooner seen the mouse than up she jumped and was after it like a shot: at which the goddess was so disgusted that she changed her back again into a cat.
Mar 22, 2007
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[Aesop] The Farmer & the Fox
A farmer was greatly annoyed by a fox, which came prowling about his yard at night and carried off his fowls.So he set a trap for him and caught him; and in order to be revenged upon him, he tied a bunch of tow to his tail and set fire to it and let him go.As ill-luck would have it, however, the fox made straight for the field where the corn was standing ripe and ready for cutting.It quickly caught fire and was all burnt up and the farmer lost all his harvest.Revenge is a two-edged sword.
Mar 21, 2007
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[Aesop] The Escaped Jackdaw
A man caught a jackdaw and tied a piece of string to one of its legs, and then gave it to his children for a pet.But the jackdaw didn't at all like having to live with people; so, after a while, when he seemed to have become fairly tame and they didn't watch him so closely, he slipped away and flew back to his old haunts.Unfortunately, the string was still on his leg, and before long it got entangled in the branches of a tree and the jackdaw couldn't get free, try as he would.He saw it was all up with him, and cried in despair, 'Alas, in gaining my freedom I have lost my life.'
Mar 20, 2007
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[Aesop] The Eagle & the Cocks
There were two cocks in the same farmyard, and they fought to decide who should be master.When the fight was over, the beaten one went and hid himself in a dark corner; while the victor flew up on to the roof of the stables and crowed lustily.But an eagle espied him from high up in the sky, and swooped down and carried him off.Forthwith the other cock came out of his corner and ruled the roost without a rival.Pride comes before a fall.
Mar 19, 2007
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[Aesop] The Wolf, the Fox & the Ape
A wolf charged a fox with theft, which he denied, and the case was brought before an ape to be tried.When he had heard the evidence on both sides, the ape gave judgement as follows: 'I do not think,' he said, 'that you, O wolf, ever lost what you claim; but all the same I believe that you, fox, are guilty of the theft, in spite of all your denials.'The dishonest get no credit, even if they act honestly.
Mar 18, 2007
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[Aesop] The Lion & the Bull
A lion saw a fine fat bull pasturing among a herd of cattle and cast about for some means of getting him into his clutches; so he sent him word that he was sacrificing a sheep, and asked if he would do him the honour of dining with him.The bull accepted the invitation, but, on arriving at the lion's den, he saw a great array of saucepans and spits, but no sign of a sheep; so he turned on his heel and walked quietly away.The lion called after him in an injured tone to ask the reason, and the bull turned round and said, 'I have reason enough. When I saw all your preparations it struck me at once that the victim was to be a bull and not a sheep.'The net is spread in vain in sight of the bird.
Mar 17, 2007
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[Aesop] The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse
A town mouse and a country mouse were acquaintances, and the coungtry mouse one day invited his friend to come and see him at his home in the fields.The town mouse came, and they sat down to a dinner of barleycorns and roots, the latter of which had a distinctly earthy flavour.The fare was not much to the taste of the guest, and presently he broke out with 'My poor dear friend, you live here no better than the ants. Now, you should just see how I fare! My larder is a regular horn of plenty. You must come and stay with me, and I promise you you shall live on the fat of the land.'So when he returned to town he took the country mouse with him, and showed him into a larder containing flour and oatmeal and figs and honey and dates.The country mouse had never seen anything like it, and sat down to enjoy the luxuries his friend provided: but before they had well begun, the door of the larder opened and someone came in.The tow mice scampered off and hid themselves in a narrow and exceedingly uncomfortable hole.Presently, when all was quiet, they ventured out again; but someone else came in, and off they scuttled again.This was too much for the visitor.'Goodbye,' said he, 'I'm off. You live in the lap of luxury, I can see, but you are surrounded by dangers; whereas at home I can enjoy my simple dinner of roots and corn in peace.'
Mar 16, 2007
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[Aesop] The Hare & the Hound
A hound started a hare from her form, and pursued her for some distance; but as she gradually gained upon him, he gave up the chase.A rustic who had seen the race met the hound as he was returning, and taunted him with his defeat.'The little one was too much for you,' said he.'Ah, well,' said the hound, 'don't forget it's one thing to be running for your dinner, but quite another to be running for your life.'
Mar 15, 2007
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[Aesop] The Mouse & the Bull
A bull gave chase to a mouse which had bitten him in the nose: but the mouse was too quick for him and slipped into a hole in a wall.The bull charged furiously into the wall again and again until he was tired out, and sank down on the ground exhausted with his efforts.When all was quiet, the mouse darted out and bit him again.Beside himself with rage he started to his feet, but by that time the mouse was back in his hole again, and he could do nothing but bellow and fume in helpless anger.Presently he heard a shrill little voice say from inside the wall, 'You big fellows don't always have it your own way, you see: sometimes we little ones come off best.'The battle is not always to the strong.
Mar 14, 2007
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[Aesop] The Three Tradesman
The citizens of a certain city were debating about the best material to use in the fortifications which were about to be erected for the greater security of the town.A carpenter got up and advised the use of wood, which he said was readily procurable and easily worked.A stone-mason objected to wood on the ground that it was so inflammable, and recommended stones instead.Then a tanner got on his legs and said, 'In my opinion there's nothing like leather.'Every man for himself.
Mar 13, 2007
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[Aesop] The Tunny Fish & the Dolphin
A tunny fish was chased by a dolphin and splashed through the water at a great rate, but the dolphin gradually gained upon him, and was just about to seize him when the force of his flight carried the tunny on to a sandbank.In the heat of the chase the dolphin followed him, and there they both lay out of the water, gasping for dear life.When the tunny saw that his enemy was doomed like himself, he said, 'I don't mind having to die now: for I see that he who is the cause of my death is about to share the same fate.'
Mar 12, 2007
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[Aesop] The Wolf & the Sheep
A wolf was worried and badly bitten by dogs, and lay a long time for dead.By and by he began to revive, and, feeling very hungry, called out to a passing sheep and said, 'Would you kindly bring me some water from the stream close by ? I can manage about meat, if only I could get something to drink.'But this sheep was no fool.'I can quite understand,' said he, 'that if I brought you the water, you would have no difficulty about the meat. Good-morning.'
Mar 11, 2007
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[Aesop] The Eagle, the Cat & the Wild Sow
An eagle built her nest at the top of a high tree; a cat with her family occupied a hollow in the trunk half-way down; and a wild sow and her young took up their quarters at the foot.They might have got on very well as neighbours had it not been for the evil cunning of the cat.Climbing up to the eagle's nest she said to the eagle, 'You and I are in the greatest possible danger. That dreadful creature, the sow, who is always to be seen grubbing away at the foot of the tree, means to uproot it, that she may devour your family and mine at her ease.'Having thus driven the eagle almost out of her senses with terror, the cat climbed down the tree, and said to the sow, 'I must warn you against that dreadful bird, the eagle. She is only waiting her chance to fly down and carry off one of your little pigs when you take them out, to feed her brood with.'She succeeded in frightening the sow as much as the eagle.Then she returned to her hole in the trunk, from which, feigning to be afraid, she never came forth by day.Only by night did she creep out unseen to procure food for her kittens.The eagle meanwhile was afraid to stir from the next, and the sow dared not leave her home among the roots: so that in time both they and their families perished of hunger, and their dead bodies supplied the cat with ample food for her growing family.
Mar 10, 2007
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[Aesop] The Wolf & the Crane
A wolf once got a bone stuck in his throat.So he went to a crane and begged her to put her long bill down his throat and pull it out.'I'll make it worth your while,' he added.The crane did as she was asked, and got the bone out quite easily.The wolf thanked her warmly, and was just turning away, when she cried, 'What about that fee of mine?''Well, what about it ?' snapped the wolf, baring his teeth as he spoke; 'you can go about boasting that you once put your head into a wolf's mouth and didn't get it bitten off. What more do you want ?'
Mar 9, 2007
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[Aesop] The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner
A trumpeter marched into battle in the van of the army and put courage into his comrades by his warlike tunes.Being captured by the enemy, he begged for his life, and said, 'Do not put me to death; I have killed no one: indeed, I have no weapons, but carry with me only my trumpet here.'But his captors replied, 'That is only the more reason why we should take your life; for, though you do not fight yourself, you stir up others to do so.'
Mar 8, 2007
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[Aesop] The Lion, the Mouse & the Fox
A lion was lying asleep at the mouth of his den when a mouse ran over his back and tickled him so that he woke up with a start and began looking about everywhere to see what it was that had disturbed him.A fox, who was looking on, thought he would have a joke at the expense of the lion; so he said, 'Well, this is the first time I've seen a lion afraid of a mouse.''Afraid of a mouse ?' said the lion testily: 'not I! It's his bad manners I can't stand.'
Mar 7, 2007
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[Aesop] The Hound & the Hare
A young hound started a hare, and, when he caught her up, would at one moment snap at her with his teeth as though he were about to kill her, while at another he would let go his hold and frisk about her, as if he were playing with another dog.At last the hare said, 'I wish you would show yourself in your true colours! If you are my friend, why do you bite me? If you are my enemy, why do you play with me?'He is no friend who plays double.
Mar 6, 2007
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[Aesop] The Prophet
A prophet sat in the market-place and told the fortunes of all who cared to engage his services.Suddenly there came running up one who told him that his house had been broken into by thieves, and that they had made off with everything they could lay hands on.He was up in a moment, and rushed off, tearing his hair and calling down curses on the miscreants.The bystanders were much amused, and one of them said, 'Our friend professes to know what is going to happen to others, but it seems he's not clever enough to perceive what's in store for himself.'
Mar 5, 2007
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[Aesop] The Lion & the Ass
A lion and an ass set up as partners and went a-hunting together.In course of time they came to a cave in which there were a number of wild goats.The lion took up his stand at the mouth of the cave, and waited for them to come out; while the ass went inside and brayed for all he was worth in order to frighten them out into the open.The lion struck them down one by one as they appeared; and when the cave was empty the ass came out and said, 'Well, I scared them pretty well, didn't I?''I should think you did,' said the lion: 'why, if I hadn't known you were an ass, I should have turned and run myself.'
Mar 4, 2007
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[Aesop] The Lark & the Farmer
A lark nested in a field of corn, and was rearing her brood under cover of the ripening grain.One day, before the young were fully fledged, the farmer came to look at the crop, and finding it yellowing fast, he said, 'I must send round word to my neighbours to come and help me reap this field.'One of the young larks overheard him, and was very much frightened, and asked her mother whether they hadn't better move house at once.'There's no hurry,' replied she; 'a man who looks to his friends for help will take his time about a thing.'In a few days the farmer came by again, and saw the grain was overripe and falling out of the ears upon the ground.'I must put it off no longer,' he said; 'this very day I'll hire the men and set them to work at once.'The lark heard him and said to her young, 'Come, my children, we must be off: he talks no more of his friends now, but is going to take things in hand himself.'Self-help is the best help.
Mar 3, 2007
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[Aesop] The Clown & the Countryman
A nobleman announced his intention of giving a public entertainment in the theatre, and offered splendid prizes to all who had any novelty to exhibit at the performance.The announcement attracted a crowd of conjurers, jugglers, and acrobats, and among the rest a clown, very popular with the crowd, who let it be known that he was going to give an entirely new turn.When the day of the performance came, the theatre was filled from top to bottom some time before the entertainment began.Several performers exhibited their tricks, and then the popular favourite came on empty-handed and alone.At once there was a hush of expectation: and he, letting his head fall upon his breast, imitated the squeak of a pig to such perfection that the audience insisted on his producing the animal, which, they said, he must have somewhere concealed about his person.He, however, convinced them that there was no pig there, and then the applause was deafening.Among the spectators was a countryman, who disparaged the clown's performance and announced that he would give a much superior exhibition of the same trick on the following day.Again the theatre was filled to overflowing, and again the clown gave his imitation amidst the cheers of the crowd.The countryman, meanwhile, before going on the stage, had secreted a young porker under his smock; and when the spectators derisively bade him do better if he could, he gave it a pinch in the ear and made it squeal loudly.But they all with one voice shouted out that the clown's imitation was much more true to life.thereupon he produced the pig from under his stomach and said sarcastically, 'There, tat shows what sort of judges you are !'
Mar 2, 2007
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[Aesop] The Old Hound
A hound who had served his master well for years, and had run down many a quarry in his time, began to lose his strength and speed owing to age.One day, when out hunting, his master started a powerful wild boar and set the hound at him.The latter seized the beast by the ear, but his teeth were gone and he could not retain his hold; so the boar escaped.His master began to scold him severely, but the hound interrupted him with these words: 'My will is as strong as ever, master, but my body is old and feeble. You ought to honour me for what I have been instead of abusing me for what I am.'
Mar 1, 2007
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[Aesop] The Two Pots
Two pots, one of earthenware and the other of brass, were carried away down a river in flood.The brazen pot urged his companion to keep close by his side, and he would protect him.The other thanked him, but begged him not to come near him on any account: 'For that,' he said, 'is just what I am most afraid of. One touch from you and I should be broken in pieces.'Equals make the best friends.
Feb 28, 2007
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[Aesop] The Goat & the Vine
[Aesop] The Goat & the VineA goat was straying in a vineyard, and began to browse on the tender shoots of a wine which bore several fine bunches of grapes.'What have I done to you,' said the vine, 'that you should harm me thus? Isn't there grass enough for you to feed on? All the same, even if you eat up every leaf I have, and leave me quite bare, I shall produce wine enough to pour over you when you are led to the altar to be sacrificed.'
Feb 27, 2007
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[Aesop] The Horse & His Rider
A young man, who fancied himself something of a horse-man, mounted a horse which had not been properly broken in, and was exceedingly difficult to control.No sooner did the horse feel his weight in the saddle than he bolted, and nothing would stop him.A friend of the rider's met him in the road in his headlong career, and called out, 'Where are you off to in such a hurry?'To which he, pointing to the horse, replied, 'I've no idea: ask him.'
Feb 26, 2007
全233件 (233件中 1-50件目)
